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Classroom Timers

Visual countdowns that keep transitions, centers and tests on track.

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About Classroom Timers

A timer students can see answers “how much longer?” before anyone asks. These classroom timers fill the board with a countdown that even pre-readers can follow: a shrinking color ring, ducks racing to the finish, a cartoon bomb with a burning fuse or sand slipping through an hourglass.

Pick the one that fits the moment — an energetic race for cleanup, a calm hourglass for quiet work — and switch to Classroom Presentation Mode for a full-screen display. Ready-made timers for 1, 5, 10, 15, 30 minutes and more open with one click. To count up instead, use the stopwatch with lap times; to count down the days to an event, use the countdown to a date; and to show the time all day, put the big classroom clock on the board.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I set a classroom timer for?

Match it to the task: 1 to 2 minutes for think time and transitions, 5 to 10 minutes for a quick task or a brain break, 15 to 20 minutes for a center rotation or independent reading, and 30 to 60 minutes for a work block or a test. The Ready in one click timers on this page open at each of those lengths, and you can type any time into the Classroom Visual Timer.

Which timer is best for young students?

Visual timers work best because students can see time passing without reading numbers. The Classroom Visual Timer’s ring changes from green to yellow to red, and the Sensory Hourglass shows sand or colored drops falling.

Can I show a timer full screen on the smartboard?

Yes. Each timer has a Classroom Presentation Mode that fills the screen and hides everything else, so it is easy to read from the back of the room.

Is there a timer that runs alongside other classroom tools?

Yes. The Classroom Screen Dashboard puts a timer next to widgets like a clock, name picker, noise level and notes on one projector screen.