Montana Math MT.3.MD.1

Math3rd GradeMeasurement and Data

The Standard

Tell and write time on an analog and digital clock to the nearest minute and measure time intervals in minutes and solve word problems in context involving addition and subtraction of time intervals in minutes.

2026 Montana Mathematics Content Standards

Teacher's field guide

What This Standard Means

What Students Need to Do: Students read and show times to the nearest minute on analog and digital clocks. They find how many minutes pass and use addition or subtraction to solve problems about start and end times.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student can place clock hands correctly for 3:47 and write that time in digital form. They can show that 38 minutes after 3:47 is 4:25 by counting to 4:00, then adding 25 minutes.
Common Misconceptions: Some students mix up the hour and minute hands or count each clock number as one minute. Others write 2:50 plus 20 minutes as 2:70 or lose track when an interval crosses an hour.
How to Assess It: Exit ticket: Show a clock face with hands at 3:47. Ask students to write the digital time, find the time 38 minutes later, and find how many minutes remain until 5:00.

Lesson moves

Ways to Teach It

Give pairs paper clocks with movable hands; call out 2:37, then have them move the hands 28 minutes forward and record the time.
Ask, 'A bus leaves at 8:48 and arrives at 9:13. How long was the ride?' Have partners compare their counting steps.
Play time-match bingo with analog clock cards and digital times; after each match, ask students to find the time 15 minutes later.
Post your class lunch start and end times; students find the total minutes and how many remain after 12 minutes of eating.

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