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- Verified Buyer
These are excellent easy-to-use clocks. You install batteries, then simply turn the dial to the desired time. When the time is up it has an easier to hear but not overly annoying alarm sound. Note, they are 8" tall and wide. I failed to read the description and found they were much larger than I expected. That's not a bad thing though as the size makes them very easy to see from a distance which is great for a classroom.These are FANTASTIC! Honestly I do not know what I did before I found these! I am a classroom teacher and I use these for everything! Children thrive on consistent routines and follow through, and using these timers provides that structure. My classroom now runs like a well-oiled machine because I am using these timers. So the ones I received were a 3 pack of large visual timers in red, yellow, and blue. I use the red timer for my students for more active times such as to time small groups, clean up time, handwriting times, so they can track how many minutes are left to work/play. This has been so helpful in managing challenges with cleanup times and transitions, since children can see how many minutes they have left on their own and now they now will talk among themselves about how much time is left so I don't need to, creating independence and an understanding of time! I use the yellow timer for reading time, and rest time, and for puzzle activities/quiet activities. I use the blue timer for myself so I can track how long Circle Times are and to know when to switch activities so I am on schedule with my own activities. My classroom runs so much smoother with the help of these, I kid you not! They are unique from any other timer that I have used in that there are little placards you can use dry erase markers on to draw pictures or write the words for the activity you are doing. So when, for example, we are reading, I draw a picture of a book on the placard, put it on top of the yellow timer, so when it goes off the children know what they need to do. I have never seen this with any other timers I have used, and I have used a lot over the years. These truly are the best timers I have used and will continue to use these in my classroom for years to come! The best part is they have a magnet in the back so you can attach them to any magnetic surface, making them very versatile and easy to use. It also has a toggle switch on the back so you can set it to ring, or so it makes no sound so children who are sound aware won't be distracted such as when taking a test. Take the plunge on these if you are on the fence, I promise you, you won't regret it. I cannot rave enough about these!timer is quiet, it doesn't tick down which I like, so it doesn't distract kids from learning, I don't remember if the instruction comes with the package, it took me a little bit time to figure out how to use, turning it counterclockwise, then it will start.I don't see anywhere I could attach the dry erase card; I was expecting it could be attached.I feel it's overpriced, the timer does its job, but nothing really amazed me neither the function nor the materials made, so I'm not sure why this is so expensive.I picked this up for at the office because we can't bring our cellphones in the building and I like to visually track my time to ensure I'm giving myself breaks appropriately. As others have mentioned, this clock is definitely huge! The length of my entire hand and fingers and the width of two hands next to each other. I love that the back has strong magnets because I have metal cabinets in my cubicle so it's easy to put it right in front of my face, which is important because the beeping noise to let you know when the time is up? So obnoxious! It only beeps like four times, but it's terrible and very loud so everyone in my immediate area gets surprised by it. Luckily there is a tiny switch on the back you can flip to not use the beeping function. So overall it's great, but wish it had a more subtle way of alerting you to a completed cycle.I am one of the biggest fans of the time timer so when I saw the cute little primary color set, I decided I had to have it!First of all, I am an art teacher, and the time timer is one of my most valuable class management tools. I simply do not run my classes without it. My students, especially the younger ones, have learned to depend on the timer to help them to monitor their time use, and to let them know how the time in the class is elapsing. They remind me if they think I am speaking too much, and someone always announces that it is time to clean up when the timer is about to go off! It helps them have some autonomy in the learning environment and become more independent.These are some of the features that I really like in the new time timers:+They have been updated with colors that help me to teach and reinforce some of the foundational art concepts. They can also be used to help differentiate instruction for students.+ The magnets on the back allow me to attach the timers to the whiteboard if I want to or I can use them on the tabletops with the standard legs at the back.+The moving parts on the face are covered with a plastic shield with only the knob for setting the timer exposed.+Bonus mini whiteboards in the packages can be used for student activities and+Instructions that accompany the timers have suggested uses and activities for new usersEvery teacher and many parents could benefit from a set of timers! I am delighted with my new set and hope to use them for a long time!The classroom timers are amazing! The magnetic backs are super strong and stick and hold on everything. The timer is loud. It is very sturdy and well built. I do wish that the timer was built more like a clock so my children could also learn minutes, and hours on a clock but overall, I personally love these timers for my home school classroom. I would recommend these for any classroom setting.If they would have been built to have the same numbers as a clock I would have been the best.
