Learning aids, a curriculum printout, a list of school rules – is there anything missing from your classroom walls this term? Whether your class has already learned how to tell the time or this is a topic you will be exploring this year, having a clock in a classroom should be a top priority for all teachers and learning support staff.
Having a classroom clock available for pupils to use helps them do more than just track the minutes left of a lesson, so let’s take a look at the 5 reasons why you should always have an EasyRead clock in your classroom.
Support the curriculum
Being able to tell the time is a fundamental skill that all UK primary school children must learn. As well as being a core topic included in the curriculum, this vital life skill is often a childs’ first introduction to the concept of time, which they must have a good understanding of before they can begin learning to read a clock themselves.
The large numbers and clear design of our clocks are intended to be seen from anywhere in the room, giving pupils a visual aid that they can familiarise themselves with before they start learning to tell the time, and then practise with as they learn. All our designs also include our simple teaching system that makes it easy for children to read the time in 3 easy steps, making it a great introduction to the time-teaching elements of the school curriculum.
Everyday practice
Once children understand the passage of time and how it is divided between hours, minutes and seconds, these new skills become useful in many other areas of life. From understanding the importance of being on time to taking responsibility for your own schedule, ongoing practice helps students to develop their understanding of time in a real-life context.
So, having a clock that all pupils have access to is a great way to encourage continued practice throughout the school day. Whether your pupils use the clock to work out how much longer is left in a lesson or to observe the passage of time across the school day, they will come to understand that time is not just a topic that they learn in school but also an important part of everyday life.
Structured learning
Without a clock in a classroom the only way that a pupil can know what time it is is to ask their teacher – and we all know how much young children love to ask questions.
So, rather than having to answer non-stop questions about what time it is or how long is left in a lesson, simply add one of our EasyRead classroom clocks to your classroom and see how well it minimises these interruptions. This will also make it easier to implement a structured routine that pupils are expected to follow, as well as setting them timed tasks and letting them track the time that they have left.
This will also help pupils stay focused on a particular task and stop them from continually wanting to know what time it is, and the ability to track their own progress and finish work within a set time frame becomes increasingly important as they grow. So, keep lessons on track and encourage their development with our range of classroom wall clocks.
Support with maths
Clocks are often one of the very first experiences that children have with numbers, making them a great introduction to maths. Our clocks contain the numbers 1 through to 30, or 1 to 60 if you opt for our 12/24 Hour clock, which familiarises children with these numbers and helps them to identify their connection to each other as time progresses.
Having a clock in a classroom helps children to apply this knowledge, as they can then go on to quickly understand the basics of addition and subtraction by counting how many minutes are left in a lesson, or how long they have already spent on a task. Our clocks are also an excellent introduction to fractions as each clock face is clearly divided into half hours and into the 60 minutes in every hour, and you can find out more about how our clocks support maths learning here.
So, whatever mathematical concepts are on your list for this term, start laying the foundations for them now with our clocks.
Pair with resources
Finally, having an EasyRead teaching clock in a classroom is most effective when it is paired with our range of classroom resources. Alongside our clocks we also supply TwinTime Cards to reinforce your pupils’ learning through fun activities, and playground clocks to encourage continued practice outside of the classroom.
Our TwinTime Cards are the perfect resource for practising the time with an entire class, as each pupil is responsible for reading the time displayed on the teaching clock and writing it down on their card. This hands-on approach means that every pupil is able to enjoy this practical activity with the whole class without being put on the spot to answer a question, and just like our clocks they can be used for addition, subtraction, and fractions, as well as learning multiples of 5s and 10s.
Our cards are available in packs of 10 or as part of our complete Classroom Sets, which also include a classroom clock and a Teacher Card for demonstration.
Our full range of classroom resources
So, don’t leave it any later in the new term to invest in a clock for your classroom by heading to our website and exploring our full range today.
If your syllabus for the new year includes teaching your pupils to tell time, or you are keen to hone their new skills in 2024, then make sure that your classroom is equipped with our classroom clocks and teaching resources. Designed with functionality and accessibility in mind, our clocks are the perfect tool for teaching young children how to apply their new skills and knowledge. Featuring clear, easy-to-read designs and robust structures to withstand the wear and tear of a busy classroom, these clocks are specifically designed as a visual aid to help pupils grasp the concept of telling time, so make time teaching a group effort this new year with our essential teaching clocks.
The importance of the right classroom clock
The right clock for a classroom plays a vital role in teaching children how to read the time and in creating a learning environment. They serve as a visual aid that helps pupils understand the concepts of minutes, hours, and seconds, as well as the relationship between these three and how this creates the passage of time. By having a teach the time clock prominently displayed in a classroom, pupils are able to practise reading and interpreting time in a real-life context, as well as develop core life skills.
Classroom clocks promote time management skills. By having a clock displayed prominently in the classroom, pupils develop a sense of time awareness, and learn how to allocate and manage their time effectively whilst completing a task, meeting deadlines, or remaining punctual to lessons. Clocks also help to create a structured learning environment, as teachers can use them to establish a clear routine that pupils are expected to understand and follow. This includes clearly showing the time left for a specific task or lesson, helping to keep the class on track and minimise disruptions, as well as reduce the number of questions around the time or how long is left in a lesson.
By having an easy-to-read clock prominently displayed, pupils are able to practise reading and interpreting time in a real-life context, so read on to explore the unrivalled benefits offered by our specialist range of clocks.
EasyRead Classroom Clock
Our EasyRead Clocks are designed specifically for classrooms, as their clear, large design makes them visible from all areas of the classroom and ensures that all pupils, regardless of their seating position, can easily access the time.
The simple and engaging design of our clocks is perfect for nursery and primary school classrooms, as well as those who are just starting to learn about the time, as a hands-on teaching aid that introduces the concept of time. Depending upon the preferred method of your school or pupils, your clock can show either the “12/24 Hour” method or the “Past & To” method, as each design has been specially made to make it easy for children to learn to read the time. This simple teaching system contains all the relevant scaffolding that a child needs to confidently recognise numbers, identify the hour and minute hands, and piece together the method to reveal the correct time, and is a great way to start your class on the time-telling elements of the school curriculum. To help with this, the curriculum notes are printed on the back, providing you with a handy reference while teaching, and the hanger makes it easy to securely rehang the clock after a demonstration.
Our specially designed school clocks are made to save time and reduce frustration for pupils and teachers alike, as well as helping pupils build confidence in their own abilities. By hanging one of our specialist clocks in your classroom, you can eliminate the need for pupils to constantly ask you to tell them the time. So, with our clocks, you and your colleagues can focus on teaching, knowing that you have a reliable and effective tool to support your teaching and reinforce your lessons on time.
EasyRead Playground Clocks
The design of these clocks is the same as the rest of our range, including the option to choose either the “Past & To” or “12/24 Hour” method, depending upon the time format taught by your schools’ curriculum. This standardised design allows for a continuation of the pupils’ learning across indoor and outdoor spaces, reinforcing what they have learnt and offering them the ability to read the time themselves, no matter where they are.
With their battery-operated mechanism and robust designs, our playground clocks are built to withstand the elements throughout the school year. The weatherproof powder-coated steel frame and toughened glass lens protects the face from any potential damage, and means that these clocks will continue to function come rain or shine, providing a reliable and accurate time display for your pupils. So, whether these weather-proof clocks are installed in the playground, entrance ways, school garden, or onsite sports facilities, teachers and pupils alike can incorporate time-telling challenges into various outdoor activities, so add one of our clocks to your outdoor space and watch as learning and fun blend seamlessly together.
Other teaching tools and educational activities
To further enhance student learning, our range can be easily combined with our range of educational resources for a streamlined, standardised approach, and additional learning opportunities for pupils. Here at EasyRead Time Teacher, we offer a range of resources that complement the methods used by our clocks, including:
⦁ Tell the Time Cards: These cards are designed to work in conjunction with a school clock to enhance the learning experience and allow pupils to practise telling time through engaging games. These cards feature 15 different times of the day, and pupils of all ages can use these educational resources to play a range of games, including snap, matching pairs, buddy-up, and bingo, to practise their new skills and reinforce their understanding of time in a fun and engaging way.
⦁ TwinTime Cards: The twintime cards are a particularly useful interactive learning resource, as they allow pupils to compare and contrast different times, further developing their understanding of the passage of time. They are a hands-on learning tool that have been specifically designed for primary school children to work through time-related activities and challenges, by adjusting the moveable hands to visualise the relationship between the big and small hands.
⦁ EasyRead Classroom Set: For teachers who want a comprehensive set of teaching resources, the EasyRead Classroom Set is the perfect choice. This set includes an EasyRead clock, tell the time cards, and twintime cards, equipping your classroom with everything you need to create a dynamic and interactive learning environment.
By integrating our clocks with these additional teaching resources, visual aids, and interactive activities, teachers across the country can prepare their classrooms for a year of hands-on learning and ensure that their pupils have access to the resources they need to reinforce their understanding of time.
Enhancing student learning with the right classroom clock from EasyRead Time Teacher
Teaching pupils to read the time is an essential skill, and our classroom resources and clocks are on-hand to support your pupils and maximise their learning. These resources are designed with accessibility and functionality in mind, featuring clear, easy-to-read designs and robust structures that can withstand the demands of a busy classroom, so be sure to promote a multi-faceted approach to learning in 2024 and give your pupils the opportunity to reinforce their learning with our full range of classroom clocks and teaching resources.
EasyRead Time Teacher watches are a fantastic present to give to the important child in your life.
Our clocks and watches are a brilliant and educational gift for the little ones in your family. Children all over the world have loved taking ownership of their learning – it’s great to see children teaching themselves and having fun doing it. Every child has to learn how to tell the time as part of their Key Stage 1 Maths syllabus, so why not give them a helping hand with one of our wristwatches?
They’re comfortable and colourful, with a large clear face that shows children everything they need to know to tell the time. The wristband will fit even the tiniest wrist and it’s removable so it can be washed.
Click here to see our EasyRead watches.
With an EasyRead watch, a five year old can learn to tell the time in just 10 minutes. Click here to see what our customers say.
Don’t worry, our 3-step process is very easy to master and our free resources are just a click away. We have all the support you need.
In addition, we also offer clocks for the home. Our 3-step teaching system is easy to master, enabling the children to learn with very minimal input from the adults around them. Click here to view our EasyRead clocks.
It’s important for parents to understand what their child is learning at school. It’s only natural that parents want to help their child be the best they can be. The early years at school are important to a child’s learning growth.
Key Stage 1
Year 1 Programme
In 2014, telling the time was introduced to the National Curriculum. In the early stages of Key Stage 1, children are required to tell the time to the hour and half past the hour and draw the hands on a clock face to show these times. What better way to introduce your child to the concept of time than having your own EasyRead Time Teacher wall clock in your house? The clear and colourful clock face is easy to read and our simple yet effective learning methods will have your child reading the time in a matter of hours.
Year 2 Programme
According to the year 2 programme of study, children should be able to count in multiples of 2, 3, 5 and 10 forwards and backwards. They should also be able to recognise, find, name and write fractions. Our wall clocks will not only help children with counting, they can also assist with fractions. The ¼, ½ and ¾ fractions are easily recognisable on the EasyRead clock face and will help your child understand fractions. In year 2, children are expected to tell and write the time to five minutes including quarter past/quarter to the hour. They should also know the number of minutes in an hour and the number of hours in a day.
Key Stage 2
Year 3 & 4 Programmes
Key Stage 2 builds upon the Key Stage 1 skills. Children will develop their fractions and counting skills. They will also learn to tell and write the time from an analogue clock. Children will also be expected to have a good concept of time. This means they will be able to estimate the time with increasing accuracy to the nearest minute. They will also use vocabulary such as o’clock, am/pm, morning, afternoon, noon and midnight. Our clocks are proven to help children at an early age to grasp the concept of time.
Our EasyRead Time Teacher wall clocks and watches are great for introducing your children to the concept of time so they are prepared for what they are going to be learning at school.
Click here to see the EasyRead wall clocks.
Click here to see the EasyRead watches.
“Excuse me, do you have the time?” – A common question asked. What if you couldn’t answer that question? Well according to a poll by an on-line watch retailer earlier last year, one in seven people admit they can’t tell time on a non-digital watch.
More shockingly perhaps is the fact that in a different poll by www.TwistedTime.com, 37 per cent of parents with children aged 10 or under said they had not or did not plan to teach their children to read the time on non-digital watches. But why is this? Perhaps because people rely on getting the time from their phones and iPods rather than from watches and clocks.
Is it even necessary for 21st century children to learn how to tell the time on an analogue clock in today’s digital age? Well, yes! There are countless reasons:
- Analogue clocks can provide a vivid representation of time that digital clocks cannot. With many different learner types out there – including visual learners/thinkers – most need the analogue clock to have a good understanding of time. Children with autism spectrum disorders are an example.
- Telling the time is a useful skill and analogue clocks are still in use. It also provides a useful framework for understanding of modules and alternative numerical base systems.
- Are we going to replace the beautiful clocks on our churches and railway stations even the with digital? Surely not!
- “I’ll meet you at the train station at quarter past five” – this could be a problem if you can only use a digital clock!
- iPhones and iPods have an analogue clock option which is very popular amongst Apple users. Other companies such as Audi and Lexus also use the analogue clock rather than digital in some of their cars. Analogue still exists around us – and will continue to do so.
We are a family business dedicated to helping children and adults learn to tell the time on analogue clocks. Our clocks and watches are designed to help children learn to tell the time in terms of ‘minutes past’ and ‘minutes to’ the hour. Take a look at our 2 and 3 step teaching method.
It’s important for parents to understand what their child is learning at school. It’s only natural that parents want to help their child be the best they can be. The early years at school are important to a child’s learning growth.
Preschool and Kindergarten
At preschool age, kids are required to be able to discuss units of time. For example seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks and years. To be able to do this, kids need to have an understanding of how time works. Having one of our EasyRead wall clocks at home will begin to introduce kids to the concept of time, therefore making their first day at preschool that little bit easier. In Kindergarten, kids will begin to develop their understanding of units of time and will begin to add phrases such as morning, afternoon, next week, in fifteen minutes etc. to their vocabulary.
Grade 1
Kids at this stage should be able to tell and write the time in hours and half hours. They will also be able to describe events in terms of time. This means they will begin to use phrases such as “this morning I…”, “for the first 15 minutes I will be…” and “at 1:30pm I…”
Our EasyRead Time Teacher wall clocks and watches are great for introducing your kids to the concept of time at home so they are prepared for what they are going to be learning at school.
Click here to see the EasyRead wall clocks.
Click here to see the EasyRead watches.
Here at EasyRead Time Teacher, we love hearing feedback from our customers. We have always believed that our customers are our best advert. Take a look at what they are saying about EasyRead:
“The watch I ordered allowed my 9 year old dyslexic daughter to read the time like her classmates for the very first time! It has made such a significant difference to her life.”
“I would highly recommend this clock if your child has difficulty understanding how to tell the time – I wish I’d had something like this when I was a child!”
“My daughter has an EasyRead watch, we bought the matching clock and they really help with her understanding.”
“My five year old daughter learned to tell the time in five minutes!”
“Fantastic watch! My Granddaughter can’t wait to go to school wearing hers!”
“Excellent, daughter is very happy! She learnt time within two days. The watch is very sturdy, highly recommended.”
“Best watch I’ve ever purchased for my daughter.”
“What a brilliant watch!! So easy to read and builds children’s confidence. I would recommend this watch to everyone!”
“Great products and excellent quality for the money!”
Would you like to see what all the fuss is about? Click here to view all our EasyRead products.
TwinTime offers a whole different method of teaching children how to tell the time. Here at EasyRead, we understand how difficult teaching the time can be – especially in a classroom full of excitable children. Our products are proven and trusted by hundreds of schools and thousands of teachers.
We recommend pairing the TwinTime Teacher Edition with the TwinTime Student Edition however this isn’t essential, our system works just as effectively if you purchase one or the other.
The TwinTime Teacher Edition was designed so teachers can stand at the front of a classroom to demonstrate setting the time with the moveable hands. It is wipe on wipe off so you can also write the time underneath the clock.
The TwinTime Student Edition is smaller than the Teacher Edition – perfect for children. They are perfect for children to work in groups or individually for setting the time on the clock face and then writing the time underneath.
As well as telling the time, TwinTime is also useful for counting forwards and backwards from 30, for learning fractions and counting in 5s and 10s.
Our 2 and 3 step teaching systems will work perfectly with TwinTime in teaching children how to tell the time. Take a look at them here.
The maths curriculum requires children to tell the time to the hour and half past the hour. It’s a daunting task and you might be wondering how you can help your child grasp this tricky concept. Many children have a difficult time learning how to tell the time so we have created a beautifully simple yet very effective 3-step method.
Let’s look at an example:
Step 1:
Read the number at the end of the long hand.
In our case, it would be ‘8’
Step 2:
Say which side it’s pointing to: ‘minutes to’ is the red side and ‘minutes past’ is the blue side.
On our clock, the long hand is on the red side so ‘minutes to’
Step 3:
Read the number at the end of the short hand.
The short hand is pointing to ‘2’
Put it all together so you will get:
‘8 minutes to 2’
Take a look at what our customers say about our 3 step teaching system:
“My five year old daughter learned to tell the time in five minutes!”
“Excellent, my daughter is very happy! She learnt time within two days – highly recommended.”
“I wish I had something like this when I was a child.”
“My son is 25 and has Down’s Syndrome, he’s used the watch and system for four days and is now telling the time correctly 99% of the time!”
So you’ve bought your EasyRead Time Teacher clock…now what?
Practice makes perfect! Our clocks are designed to be taken off the wall and interacted with. Children will love the ‘hands on’ learning and then, seeing it every day up on the wall, they can practice and cement their learning.
We have even put the teaching methods on the back of the clock to make life as easy as possible! The simple design is brilliant for young children trying to get to grips with telling the time.
Take a look at our classroom clocks here.
Download our free resources here.
If you need any help or have any questions, please email us on [email protected] or call on 07865 470905.
