X Tables
Scratch Maths

Scratch clock projects maths mission

A practical mini-mission using clock projects to practise time through questions, examples and child-friendly challenges.

Quick answer

By building a Scratch clock project, you can learn to tell and write time to the minute, practice counting in 5s, and explore how hours and minutes relate to each other.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to:
  • Read and write time to the minute using a clock face
  • Count in 5s to help you tell time
  • Understand how hours and minutes are connected
  • Use Scratch to create a working clock that shows the time

Why this matters

Time is everywhere in your daily life. When you wake up, you check the clock to see what time it is. When you go to school, you use time to know when to start and finish classes. When you play games, you often use time to count how long you have or how long you've been playing. In Scratch, you can build a clock to help you learn and practice telling time. This helps you understand how time works and makes it easier to manage your day.

How it works

In Scratch, you can make a clock that shows the time by using:
  • Variables to store the hour and minute
  • Loops to make the clock move smoothly
  • Blocks to change the time every second
  • Costumes to show the hour and minute hands
You start by setting up your clock with the correct time, then you make it move by changing the numbers every second. You can use the change variable by 1 block to add one minute or one hour.

Examples you can see

Let’s imagine you're making a clock in Scratch. You start with a blank project and add a sprite that looks like a clock face. You use two variables: one for the hour and one for the minute. Example 1: You set the hour to 3 and the minute to 15. This means the time is 3:15. The minute hand points to the 3 (which is 15 minutes) and the hour hand points between 3 and 4. Example 2: You use a loop to make the minute change every second. Each time the minute increases by 1, the clock moves forward by one minute. Example 3: You use the if-then block to make the hour change when the minute reaches 60. So, when the minute is 60, the hour increases by 1 and the minute resets to 0.

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: The Time Traveler's Mission You are a time traveler who needs to fix a broken clock. Your mission is to build a working clock in Scratch to help you travel to the right time. You start with a blank screen and must: 1st time: Add a clock sprite and two variables called "hour" and "minute". 2nd time: Set the hour to 9 and the minute to 30. 3rd time: Use a loop to make the minute increase by 1 every second. 4th time: Add an if-then block to change the hour when the minute reaches 60. 5th time: Test your clock and see if it shows the correct time. Can you complete the mission and save time travel?

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Forgetting to reset the minute to 0 when it reaches 60.
    Why it happens: Children might not think about how time works when the minute reaches 60.
    Fix: Add an if-then block to reset the minute to 0 when it reaches 60.
  • Mistake: Not using loops to make the clock move.
    Why it happens: Children may not understand that time moves forward automatically.
    Fix: Use a repeat until loop to make the minute increase every second.
  • Mistake: Setting the hour to 24 instead of 0 when it reaches 24.
    Why it happens: Children may confuse 24-hour time with 12-hour time.
    Fix: Use a when green flag clicked block to reset the hour to 0 when it reaches 24.

Parent and carer guide

As a parent or carer, you can help by:
  • Encouraging your child to explain how their clock works
  • Practising telling time together using a real clock
  • Helping them understand that time is a continuous flow
  • Supporting them with the Scratch blocks and loops
  • Letting them make mistakes and learn from them
It's normal for children to struggle with time at first. The key is to be patient and keep practising. You can also use everyday situations to help them understand time, like asking them to tell you the time when you're getting ready for school or when dinner is ready.

Practice questions

  1. What time is it if the hour hand is on 7 and the minute hand is on 12?
  2. If it is 2:45, how many minutes are left until 3:00?
  3. How many minutes are in 1 hour?
  4. What time is it if the hour is 11 and the minute is 50?
  5. If the minute hand moves from 12 to 3, how many minutes has it moved?
Answers:
  1. 7:00
  2. 15 minutes
  3. 60 minutes
  4. 11:50
  5. 15 minutes

FAQ

What is a Scratch clock project?

A Scratch clock project is a computer program you make in Scratch that shows the time using a clock face. You can use variables to store the hour and minute, and loops to make the clock move forward.

How do I make a clock in Scratch?

To make a clock in Scratch, you need to add a sprite, create variables for hour and minute, and use loops to change the time every second. You can also use if-then blocks to change the hour when the minute reaches 60.

Why is telling time important?

Telling time helps you know when to do things, like when to wake up, go to school, or play. It helps you manage your day and be on time for important events.

How can I practice telling time?

You can practice telling time by looking at a real clock, using a digital clock, or making a Scratch clock. You can also play time games or use apps that help you learn time.

What are some real-life uses of time?

Time is used for school schedules, sports events, cooking recipes, travel timetables, and many other daily activities. Understanding time helps you plan and manage your day better.