Student Contributor: J.Waleske
Timers come in many different styles and shapes, so they can be a fun and unique tool to use in the classroom. They are helpful for supporting kids in taking responsibility for their time management as they can set a timer for how much time they get before moving on.
Some of the many ways that timers can be used include giving students more responsibility and rather than guiding them though the day one at a time, you would give them a list of things with time limits where they can set their timers and move on to the next activity on their own. Another way that timers are used is with break areas, when students need a short break from class, they can go to Australia and set a timer which will tell them how long before they need to come back to the groups and begin participating again because they cannot stay there all day. One thing to keep in mind is to use timers wisely because sometimes setting a time limit can bring stress and anxiety on students because they feel as rushed. They shouldn’t be used on exams or assessments specifically.
Timers support students as they begin to think about time management and how they will complete tasks. They show students how much time is left and what a specific amount of time feels like. Time plays a big role in our responsibilities in daily life, getting student familiar with how to manage their time supports them as they begin to depend on time more and more. This tool is more guided towards the student direct theory of influence because it placed the majority of the load on student to get their work done and make sure that they are using their time wisely. However, I think that the teacher is the one who would be informing and students in some way whether it be a list or verbally spoken of what needs to be done and in what specific amount on time, especially in the earlier grades.
More Information –
Tool Source: Proud to be Primary
Classroom Management Tools for the Clever Elementary Teacher
I implemented the tool “timers” a supportive tool in my classroom. I am placed in a suburban 1st-grade classroom, with 20 students. The tool was simple to prepare. During our daily reading and math tasks, I was noticing students having a hard time managing their time well. To prepare I looked up timers with calming music on YouTube, this took 2 minutes. During independent work, I informed the students that I would be putting up a timer with music while their work. Students responded very positively to the timer. It is up on the screen while they complete their work, and the music is relaxing. It has helped with noise volume and the number of work students complete during their work time. The students do understand the role of the new tool. It is there to help them know how much time they have to complete their work. Adjustments that can be made to make it better would be adding check-in points throughout the task. This could be a point where students could ask questions to the teacher to help them do their best work.
Using timers was a very successful tool in the 1st-grade classroom that I am placed in with 16 students. The school is in a suburban area. The tool was extremely successful in that the presence of the timer kept students on task for most of the work time because students could look up the timer and see how much time was left. The timer was also extremely successful in transitioning out of work time into the next lesson because students had a clear understanding of what the end of the timer meant. Students did understand their role with the timer and their understanding was shown in how successful the tool was. Students were to stay on task and continue working while the timer was playing, and when the timer was finished students were to clean up their workspace and get ready for the next activity or lesson. An adjustment I would make about this tool is to include to make sure that the timer is visible for all students, and they can also audibly hear when the timer is going and when the timer is finished so that they have the proper signals.
I tried this in a Kindergarten classroom, with 20 students, and my school is in a rural area. Implementing timers into my kindergarten classroom was a great success! To do this, I used it during center time, when students get to pick a center and play after math and have until lunch to play (typically 30 minutes of play). I decided to use this tool because the students would often get frustrated when the bell was rung to get ready for lunch. Student would say something along the lines of “I was in the middle of something” or “that was not enough time”. Using a timer up on the screen helped the students to look and see how much time was left, so they knew when it was getting closer to cleaning up. This supported the students as they knew when they needed to start cleaning up. Students understood the role well, and there are not any adjustments now that I could think of to make the timer better, as it is a simple yet effective tool to support students. Great tool!
I used this management tool in my 1st-grade classroom of 18 students in a rural area. This tool worked extremely well in my classroom. It helped with managing time in various activities and has helped students with time management as well. Not only did I use this tool for managing activities, but I also used it for managing transitions as well. I’ve seen the students enjoy being timed for assignments like tables of equations and other activities that can be done within a timer. This helped students get tasks done in a quicker manner. I need to make sure that I’m checking in on all of the students as the timer is going so I’m aware of students who may need extra time. I’ve noticed that a few students can get frustrated when they don’t finish their work within the timer, but I assure them it’s okay and we can finish it.
I practiced using this tool with my first grade classroom of 20 students in a rural area, and felt it was very supportive in managing the classroom during a lesson activity. When I used the timer I would include it in a powerpoint on the screen for students to see the virtual timer along with images of what their tasks are for the duration of the time. I found this tool really helped students stay on task and feel responsible for getting their work done in a timely manner. This tool was easy to prepare and students understood what the purpose of the timer was and how it was to be used during their activity. There are many different kinds of timers so I like that you can change them depending on the theme of your lesson. I also like using the timer and having relaxing quiet music playing in the background to help students have a calming environment to learn in. I am curious to work with a small group of students and use the timer as a tool in that situation such as physically having one on the table.
I am in a 5th grade class of 28 students in a rural area. This tool did not require prep or teaching and was very easy to use as well. This tool was successful because it helped students pace themselves and keep on task. Once the timer would go off, depending on the purpose, students would automatically begin to transition. This helped to create a smooth, quick transition period. Students would then prepare for the next activity. I also used the timer to give students a specific amount of time on an independent or partner tasks. When the timer would go off, students would wrap up their task and direct their attention toward me. In these situations, the timer was a successful tool, and students understood their role. I will continue to use a timer when I teach because of the success I had with it. To make the tool even better, I could use a larger timer that is easily visible to all students.