Colour-Coded Time Management for the Win: Classroom Edition
Teachers, this one is for you. You made it through the toughest year yet, and we appreciate you more than ever. And like millions of parents, you may be eagerly anticipating a more “normal” start to the school year this fall. Though these summer days have only just begun, it’s never too soon to start planning and dreaming of how you’d like to organize and present your “in-person” classroom.
Though you may be thrilled to have all those little faces in one place come fall, we know how challenging it can be to keep students focused and on-task in the classroom. It may be a bit more challenging this coming school year as students become accustomed to a more structured learning environment once again.
A little guidance can go a long way when it comes to helping kids of all ages grasp the passage of time, visualize time remaining for a test session, or understand the amount of time left to read a favorite book during quiet time. That’s where Time Timer comes in – it’s your newest classroom hero! For readers and non-readers alike, Time Timer “shows” time segments clearly with its high-contrast, easy-to-read face and a red disk that “disappears” as a set amount of time elapses.
The concept of time management may be particularly challenging concept to grasp for children in special education classrooms. Not only is Time Timer a powerful tool for visual thinkers of all ages and abilities, but it can also be helpful with schedule transitions and time management for individuals on the autism spectrum, in particular. While some people learn differently, they may also need to learn, understand, and interpret the passage of time a bit differently, as well. Keeping up with time should not be the thing that holds back anyone from achieving their very best.
Like many classroom teachers, you may find color-coding your classroom to be an excellent way of keeping the kids organized and focused on a variety of daily classroom tasks. In fact, many scientific studies support this theory. Using color schemes in your classroom not only makes the learning environment more fun, uplifting, or happy – it truly can make a difference in learning outcomes in the classroom. Shift eLearning published findings supporting this theory, “using the right color, and the correct selection and placement can seriously affect feelings, attention, and behavior when learning.”
Weareteachers.com references findings from similar studies in a color-coding-themed post. One such study authored by Dzulkifli and Mustafar (2012) explored whether adding color could improve memory. The researchers concluded that, “colour has the potential to increase chances of environmental stimuli to be encoded, stored, and retrieved successfully” because it vividly displays relationships between ideas.
According to Stanfield.com, “Colour coding is especially beneficial for students who are non-readers or who are just learning to read. When color is involved, grouping, material organization, and differentiation become much, much easier.” It is also noted that the use of color-coding can help breakdown a challenging or complex concept and make it easier to comprehend.
Proven through years of experience and clinical research, Time Timer can support students of all ages and abilities “see” time, which when combined with a color-coded approach, can help increase focus and understanding. Teachers, as you make plans for an awesome, in-person classroom experience this fall, Time Timer is your partner in productivity. Check out everything Time Timer has to offer you, your family, and students – and go forward with renewed focus!