Clocks
Keeping plenty of clocks in class to which you can refer and cross-refer is a must.
The Penguin Clock from BrightMinds has a magnetic strip so it can be attached to appropriate surfaces and a large white clock face that includes 'quarter to', 'half past', 'quarter past' and 'o'clock'. The wipe-clean face includes an outer rim minute count as well as hour numerals and bright red hands. The Penguin measures 25(h) x 21(w)cm and is priced 4.95.
Telephone 0870 4422144
www.brightminds.co.uk
Eduzone has three different types of clock. Its Talking Clever Clock is appropriate for both younger and slightly older children because it incorporates two skill levels into its 'self-checking quiz'. It has movable hands and a digital display that follows the analogue time when you press the appropriate button. There is also a feature that proclaims the time out loud, a stopwatch and a problem solver. The clock, which is 27cm high and requires three AA batteries to function, costs 29.95. The Primary Time Teacher is a geared clock that includes a digital display which keeps pace when you move the minute hand of the analogue face. Colour-coded, sliding shutters across the digital display enable children to test themselves or can be used in group games. The clock comes with an activity guide, measures 30.5 x 35.5cm and costs 22.95. A junior version is also available measuring 16 x 18cm and priced 11.95. Finally, Geared mini-clocks with the same yellow faces and red and blue hands as the Primary Time clocks are available in sets of six to encourage children to become 'hands on' with time. These are 10.2cm high and cost 8.95 a set.
Telephone 08456 445556
www.eduzone.co.uk
Timers
Children love feeling in control of time and measuring how long various activities take with the aid of timers. Grasping the concept of time can be less intimidating when it is presented in this way.
Bigtime Timers come in Fire Truck or Yellow Taxi casings measuring 80 x 45mm. The display measures 48 x 21mm and shows both minutes and seconds in large digits. A 59-minute, 50-second facility is also included so the children can count down or up, and there is a magnet on the back of the casing so you can position the timer on any magnetic surface. The timers, which cost 4.99 each, are available from Hands On.
Telephone 01732 225800
www.handson.co.uk
Asco's Time Timer is designed to demonstrate elapsed time. The transparent casing contains a simple clock face with a movable red block section that can cover as much or as little of the clock face as you wish. The children can then see time passing when the red portion diminishes as time elapses.
The timer measures 19 x 21 x 8cm and requires one AA battery to function.
Priced 24.95.
Telephone 0113 2707070
www.ascoeducational.co.uk
The Time Tracker can help children (and adults) to develop their time management skills. You can programme the electronic timer for each colour separately for different time spans, from 30 seconds to an hour, and also set an alarm. The alarm feature contains six different sounds according to which activity you are engaged in, including a quiz show buzzer and a boxing ring bell. The lighthouse shape of the Tracker facilitates 180x viewing and the base contains a digital display. Four AA batteries are required. Priced 22.95 from Learning Resources.
Telephone 0845 241 0484
www.learningresources.co.uk
There is some anecdotal evidence to support the use of sand timers with children who have difficulties staying focused and sitting still. Their 'impact resistant' cases mean these Sand Timers, which measure 75 x 160mm, are designed to last. Choose from a set of four (30-second, one-minute, three-minute and five-minute) timers, priced 48.95, or a set of two (one- and three-minute) timers, priced 24,95 from Eduzone.
Contacts as before.
Cards and boards
There are plenty of useful resources to help extend your work with time and stimulate children's imaginations.
Circle of Time cards from Hands On come in two versions - teacher and pupil. The teacher's Circle consists of a large timeline measuring 1200 x 200mm. It is laminated and split into two strips with split pins for joining. The timeline can be used flat for front-of-class demonstrations or it can be bent round and joined to make a circle and hung up as a mobile, using the pre-punched holes in the top edge. Words and pictures can be suspended from the bottom edge to help children understand daily routines and time. The pupil version of the Circle, which measures 595 x 100mm, comes as a pack of 16 in black and white, with a marked timeline and appropriate graphics that the children can colour in. Priced 6.99 and 3.99 respectively.
Contacts as before.
The Time Flips Table Top Board from Asco is in large format to enable you to use it as a front-of-class aid. The triangular stand, made of reinforced card, folds up and down easily and the digital numbers and clock are laminated and wipe clean. The flip board measures 61 x 20.5cm, the digital numbers measure 8 x 15.5cm and the analogue clock measures 18cm in diameter, priced Pounds 36.95.
Contacts as before.
The Tell the Time Wall Hanging comes with a hanging rod and cord and a large assortment of attachments that describe the time of day, weather and activities. The clock face has movable hands and a smiley face as well. The hanging is cotton, measures 60cm and is priced 29.95.
A write-on, wipe-off Time Board that comes with an analogue and digital template and two non-washable pens in blue and red is priced 4.99, with spare packs of four pens available for 4.99. All from BrightMinds.
Contacts as before.
Time Telling Puzzle Cards measure 6 x 9cm each and are designed to help children practise analogue and digital time-telling. Each card, which has a perforated wavy line separating the analogue clock face from the digital display, is split before play and the children then try to match the two.
If the answer is incorrect the wavy lines won't match up. Available in two packs (hours and half hours or quarter hours and minutes) priced 3.95 a pack from Learning Resources.
Learning Resources also stocks the award-winning Magnetic Learning Calendar, which comes with 51 magnetic pieces showing dates, seasons and months as well as an activity guide. The board measures 30.5 x 42cm and costs Pounds 14.95.
Contacts as before.
TIME PIECE
Children should be encouraged to see time as part of their everyday lives and not just as part of the curriculum. If you can find space on your walls for an attractive clock they will gradually learn to refer to it (with a little help from you).
New to the Kids & Things range at LFC, this Parrot Clock is made from sustainable Scandinavian multi-ply birch and stained in non-toxic acrylic.
The numerals have been designed to stand out from the background decoration. The clock has a diameter of 230mm and a depth of 45mm. It is also available in Ark, Teddy, Dolphin, Moon and Crocodile designs, priced 17.99.
Telephone 08458 506507 or www.lfcdespatchline.co.uk
