CCSS.Math.Content.3.MD.A.1

Math3rd GradeSolve problems involving measurement and estimation of intervals of time, liquid volumes, and masses of objects.

The standard

Tell and write time to the nearest minute and measure time intervals in minutes. Solve word problems involving addition and subtraction of time intervals in minutes, e.g., by representing the problem on a number line diagram.

Common Core State Standards for Mathematics · Measurement and Data

What this standard means

Students need to read analog and digital clocks to the nearest minute, write the time correctly, and find how many minutes pass between two times. They also need to solve start time, end time, and elapsed time word problems using addition, subtraction, or a number line.

Mastery looks like students counting by fives, then ones, using a.m. and p.m. when needed, and explaining their time jumps clearly. Common trouble spots are confusing the hour hand, crossing the hour, and treating 3:45 to 4:10 as 35 minutes instead of 25.

Ways to teach it

  • Give pairs paper clocks and time cards, then have one student build the time while the other writes it digitally.
  • Ask students to write a word problem about a school activity that lasts between 15 and 90 minutes, then trade and solve.
  • Show 2:38 to 3:12 on the board and ask students to solve with a number line in three minutes.
  • Use a class schedule and ask how many minutes pass from morning arrival to recess, lunch, or dismissal.

Plan a lesson for CCSS.Math.Content.3.MD.A.1

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Related standards

  • CCSS.Math.Content.4.MD.A.2

    Use the four operations to solve word problems involving distances, intervals of time, liquid volumes, masses of objects, and money, including problems involvin...

  • CCSS.Math.Content.2.MD.B.5

    Use addition and subtraction within 100 to solve word problems involving lengths that are given in the same units, e.g., by using drawings (such as drawings of ...

  • CCSS.Math.Content.1.MD.B

    Tell and write time.

  • CCSS.Math.Content.K.OA.A.2

    Solve addition and subtraction word problems, and add and subtract within 10, e.g., by using objects or drawings to represent the problem.

Standard text verified against corestandards.org on July 10, 2026.

Page updated July 10, 2026.

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