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Year 3 - Maths

am and pm

Tell the time to the nearest minute and compare units of time

Unit Summary

In this unit pupils will tell and write the time from an analogue clock, including using Roman numerals from I to XII, and 12-hour and 24-hour clocks.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to tell the time using am and pm.

Key Notes

  • There are 24 hours in a day.
  • The time between midnight and midday can be referred to using 'am'.
  • The time between midday and midnight can be referred to using 'pm'.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • am: The half of the day from midnight to midday.
  • pm: The half of the day from midday to midnight.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Pupils might instinctively believe that midnight is 12 pm. There is often confusion about the use of am and pm with midnight and midday.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Solve this in steps: explain the method from this lesson and why each step matters.

There are 24 hours in a day. The time between midnight and midday can be referred to using 'am'.

2. Use this key word in a maths sentence and explain it clearly. 'am'

The half of the day from midnight to midday. Use this word when showing your method, then check your final answer is reasonable.

3. Spot and fix this common maths mistake.

Mistake: Pupils might instinctively believe that midnight is 12 pm. There is often confusion about the use of am and pm with midnight and midday. Correction: Utilise opportunities for quickfire counting outside the Maths lesson, from different starting points. For example, 10 am, 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm, 2pm, or 9 pm, 10 pm, 11 pm, 12 am. 1 am.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 3 Maths guide library.