Small tool – huge impact. The teaching clock, a learning powerhouse!

Enter the Teaching Clock—an innovative classroom tool. From revolutionising teaching time to enhancing numeracy, mindfulness, storytelling and more.  Discover why the Teaching Clock is the ultimate classroom companion!

Hands-On Learning Experience

Learning is most effective when it’s interactive, and the Teaching Clock excels in this area. Children can physically manipulate the clock’s hands to set different times, transforming abstract concepts into tangible experiences. This hands-on approach promotes active participation and deeper understanding, as children can visually see and feel how time works. Imagine the excitement of a child proudly declaring, “Look! I can tell you it’s 3 o’clock!” 

Building Foundational Skills

Understanding time is not just about reading a clock; it’s about developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and organisational skills. By integrating the Teaching Clock into daily lessons, you can instill a sense of time management and responsibility. Whether it’s figuring out how long until break time or understanding daily schedules, these foundational skills serve children well throughout their academic years and beyond. 

Versatile Teaching Tool for Every Classroom

The Teaching Clock is incredibly versatile, making it perfect for various teaching environments. Whether in a bustling classroom, a cosy learning corner, or even at home, this clock fits seamlessly into any curriculum. You can create engaging lessons around time-telling, incorporating fun games and activities that encourage teamwork and collaboration. Imagine the classroom buzz as children work together to solve time-based challenges!

Enhancing Numeracy Skills Through Play

Play is a powerful teacher, and the Teaching Clock harnesses this energy to make learning fun! teachers can design interactive activities that not only teach time-telling but also introduce basic math concepts like addition and subtraction through time intervals. This playful approach makes math less intimidating.

Unlocking potential:  The Teaching Clock as an intervention tool  

In every school and classroom, educators encounter a range of learning styles and abilities. For some children, grasping the concept of time can be a significant challenge, impacting their overall confidence and academic performance. The Teaching Clock is not just a functional tool for telling time; it’s a versatile intervention resource that can help bridge learning gaps and foster a deeper understanding of numeracy skills. Here are some innovative ways to incorporate the Teaching Clock into your intervention strategies.

1. Targeted One-on-One Sessions

For children who struggle with time-telling, individualised instruction can be immensely beneficial. Use the Teaching Clock during one-on-one sessions to provide focused attention. Start by allowing the children to manipulate the clock hands, guiding them through the concepts of hours and minutes at their own pace. This tactile experience can help solidify their understanding and boost their confidence.

2. Small Group Activities

Create small intervention groups where children can collaborate and learn from one another. Use the Teaching Clock to facilitate engaging activities that promote peer interaction. For example, challenge the group to set the clock to different times based on verbal prompts or create a “time scavenger hunt” where they find real-life examples of time management (like scheduling activities). This social aspect encourages teamwork and makes learning enjoyable. 

3. Gamifying Learning

Make learning about time exciting by turning it into a game! Use the Teaching Clock in various educational games that emphasise time-telling. For instance, set a timer and challenge children to race against the clock to complete time-related tasks, such as matching digital and analogue times or solving time-based word problems. This gamification strategy can motivate struggling learners and make the concept of time less intimidating.

4. Visual Aids and Storytelling

Integrate the Teaching Clock into storytelling sessions to reinforce time concepts. Create narratives that involve different times of day, asking children to set the clock according to the story events. For example, “At 7 AM, the character wakes up. What time should we set the clock?” This visual and auditory approach helps children connect time with real-life situations, making it more relatable and easier to grasp.

5. Reinforcing Daily Routines

Using the Teaching Clock to reinforce daily routines can help children understand the importance of time management. Have children take part in setting the clock for different parts of the school day. This exercise helps them recognise time in a familiar context and promotes a sense of structure and responsibility.

6. Incorporating Technology

Pair the Teaching Clock with digital resources to enhance learning. Use apps or online games focused on telling time and numeracy skills, and have children compare their answers with the Teaching Clock. This blended approach provides variety in learning methods, catering to different preferences and making the concept of time more engaging.

7. Progress Tracking and Assessment

Utilise the Teaching Clock as a visual assessment tool. Track children's progress by having them demonstrate their time-telling skills using the clock. Set specific goals—like identifying times on the hour, half-hour, and quarter-hour—and celebrate their achievements. This not only provides valuable feedback but also motivates children to improve. 

With the right strategies, the Teaching Clock can unlock the potential of every child, helping them build confidence and mastery in one of the most fundamental skills of all. Let’s empower our learners and make the journey of learning to tell time an exciting adventure!

Mindfulness and Reflection 

The teaching clock can develop emotional awareness and resilience 

Integrating mindfulness and reflection into the classroom is essential for nurturing emotional well-being in young learners. The Teaching Clock offers a unique and engaging way to facilitate this practice. By using the clock to prompt discussions about feelings and experiences throughout the day, you can help children develop emotional awareness and resilience. Here’s how it can be incorporated into the classroom to promote reflection and emotional awareness:

1. Setting the Scene for Reflection

Begin the mindfulness exercise by introducing the Teaching Clock. Have children set the clock to represent significant times during their school day such as, waking up, starting class, breaktime, lunch time, and the end of the school day. As they set the clock, prompt them to think about what they were doing at each time and how they felt during those activities.

2. Guided Discussions

After setting the clock, engage children in a guided discussion. Ask open-ended questions to encourage them to express their feelings. For instance: 

• • “What did you feel when the clock showed 9 AM, at the start of our first lesson?” 
  • “How did you feel during break time at 10:30 AM?” 
  • “What emotions did you experience at the end of the school day when the clock struck 3 PM?” 

These questions help children articulate their emotions and recognise how different activities impact their feelings. This practice cultivates a sense of self-awareness and encourages them to connect their emotions with their experiences.

3. Creating Personal Mindfulness Moments

Encourage children to set the clock to a time and date that represents a personal moment of mindfulness. This could be a time when they felt particularly happy, anxious, or calm. Have them share their chosen time with the class and explain why it holds significance for them. This activity promotes empathy and understanding among peers, as children learn to appreciate each other’s emotional experiences.

4. Reflective Journaling

Incorporate reflective journaling as a follow-up activity. After discussing their feelings using the Teaching Clock, ask children to write about their reflections in a journal. They can describe specific moments tied to the times on the clock and how those moments made them feel. Journaling not only reinforces their mindfulness practice but also provides a safe space for them to express their thoughts.

5. Mindfulness Techniques with the Teaching Clock

Introduce simple mindfulness techniques that can be practiced using the Teaching Clock. For example, as children set the clock, guide them through deep breathing exercises. Encourage them to take a deep breath in as they move the clock’s hand and exhale slowly as they pause. This technique can help ground children in the present moment, making the reflection exercise even more impactful. 

As we empower our young learners to reflect on their emotions, we equip them with valuable skills that will serve them throughout their lives. Let’s embrace the Teaching Clock as a tool for mindfulness, creating a supportive environment where children can thrive emotionally and academically.

Telling Time and Telling Stories 

Storytelling is a powerful educational tool that fosters creativity, enhances comprehension, and builds essential communication skills. When combined with innovative teaching resources, like the Teaching Clock, storytelling can become an even more engaging experience for young learners. This versatile tool not only helps children learn to tell time but also serves as a catalyst for imaginative storytelling. Here are some creative ideas for using the Teaching Clock to enhance storytelling in the classroom.

1. Setting the Scene with Time

Before diving into a story, use the Teaching Clock to establish the setting. Ask children to set the clock to different times that correspond to the narrative. For example, if the story begins at sunrise, have children set the clock to 6 AM. This visual representation of time helps children understand the context of the story and can lead to discussions about how time influences events in narratives.

2. Creating Time-Based Plotlines

Encourage children to create their own stories based on specific times shown on the Teaching Clock. For instance, prompt them to set the clock to a certain hour and ask questions like, “What happens at 3 PM?” or “What do you think this character is doing at 8 PM?” This exercise not only reinforces their understanding of time but also sparks their creativity, as they explore various scenarios and plotlines.

3. Incorporating Daily Routines

Use the Teaching Clock to help children create stories based on daily routines. Ask them to illustrate a day in the life of a character, using the clock to mark significant moments throughout the day, such as waking up, going to school, or having dinner. By anchoring their narratives in real-life events, children can better connect with their characters and enhance their storytelling skills.

4. Timing the Story

Transform storytelling into a fun, interactive experience by incorporating time challenges. Set the Teaching Clock to a specific time limit and challenge children to tell a story within that timeframe. This not only encourages concise storytelling but also helps children practice pacing and organisation in their narratives. It’s a great way to introduce the concept of timing in storytelling while keeping children engaged.

5. Visual Story Maps

Use the Teaching Clock to create visual story maps that depict the progression of a story over time. Children can set the clock to different times as they illustrate key events on a timeline. This visual aid helps children organise their thoughts and understand the sequence of events, making it easier to craft coherent and engaging stories.

6. Exploring Time Travel Themes

Encourage children to explore the concept of time travel in their stories. Set the Teaching Clock to different historical periods or future times, and challenge children to create narratives that revolve around these time settings. This not only allows children to practice their time-telling skills but also opens discussions about history, culture, and the impact of time on storytelling.

7. Storytelling Circles

Incorporate the Teaching Clock into storytelling circles, where children take turns sharing their stories. As each child shares their tale, they can use the clock to illustrate key moments or transitions in time. This collaborative approach fosters a sense of community in the classroom and encourages children to listen actively and engage with each other’s narratives. 

Whether setting the scene, crafting time-based plotlines, or exploring the concept of time travel, the Teaching Clock enriches the storytelling experience for young learners. 

You can get your Teaching Clock from gls here or for even more curricular essentials head over to our curricular hub.