Visualizing Time Slides Watching Time
How does time look?
What is Time?
Time tells us how long something lasts.
We can use tools to SEE time moving!
The Sand Timer
The sand falls down.
When the top is empty, time is UP!
The Red Disk
Look at the RED color.
The red gets smaller.
White means we are DONE.
Staring Contest!
Can you sit still until the sand runs out?
Wait... Wait... Wait...
Time Watcher Worksheet Time Watcher
Lesson 1: Visualizing Time
Name:
Date:
Watch the sand timer. Draw the sand in the boxes below!
Start
Middle
End
Wait and Think
Waiting felt EASY
Waiting felt HARD
Timer Inquiry Teacher Guide Timer Inquiry Guide
Lesson 1: Visualizing Time Passing
The Big Goal
The primary goal of this lesson is to help students connect the visual reduction of a timer (sand falling or a red disk shrinking) to the internal feeling of waiting. Many Kindergarten students, especially those in Special Education, experience anxiety because "five minutes" is an abstract, invisible concept. By making it visible, we reduce the unknown.
Activity: The One-Minute Stare
1
Set a large 1-minute sand timer on a central table. Ask students to sit in a circle around it.
2
Explain the rule: "No talking, just watching." Flip the timer and watch together.
3
When the sand is halfway, point to it: "Look, the sand is halfway gone. Half our time is finished."
4
When it's done, ask: "Did that feel like a long time or a short time?"
SpEd Strategies
Sensory Check: Some students may find the silence difficult. Allow "quiet fidgeting" if needed.
Dual Timers: Use both a sand timer and a Time Timer together to reinforce the concept from two visual angles.
Predictive Language: Use "First watch, then draw" to help with sequence.
Discussion
"Where did the time go?"
"What does it look like when time is almost finished?"
"Does time stop if we close our eyes?"
Drawing the Time
As students work on their Time Watcher Worksheet , guide their drawings:
Start
Sand is all in the top part. None in the bottom.
Middle
Sand is in BOTH parts. Top part is getting smaller.
End
Sand is all in the bottom. Top part is white/empty.
Beat the Clock Slides Beat the Clock
Work fast, work smart!
How to Play
1
Pick a task card.
2
Start the timer!
3
Work fast to finish.
4
Stop when it beeps!
Ready...
Set...
GO!
Can you finish before the red disappears?
The timer is our helper. It shows us how much work time we have left!
Victory!
You beat the clock!
Faster than the beep!
Speedy Task Cards Stack 5 Blocks
Draw 3 Stars
Write Your Name
Sort 4 Crayons
Find 2 Blue Things
Do 5 Big Hops
1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5
Clean 3 Toys
Touch Your Toes Game Tracker Worksheet Beat the Clock
My Game Tracker
Name:
Check the box for each game. Did you beat the clock?
1
Before Beep
After Beep
Sticker
2
Before Beep
After Beep
Sticker
3
Before Beep
After Beep
Sticker
4
Before Beep
After Beep
Sticker
Respecting the Beep Slides Respecting the Beep
Listening for the transition signal!
What is that sound?
The BEEP means our time is finished.
"It's time to stop and do something new!"
STOP
Freeze your body right away!
DROP
Put your toys down on the floor or table.
LOOK
Look at your teacher for the next direction.
Stop and Drop Poster Stop and Drop
1
STOP
2
DROP
3
LOOK
Listen for the Beep!
Timer Beeps Story When the Timer Beeps
A Social Story for School
I love to play! Playing with my friends and toys is so much fun.
BEEP! The timer is finished. That means it is time to stop playing.
I am a Timer Hero! I STOP and I DROP my toys right away.
GOOD JOB!
I look at my teacher. I am ready for the next thing. I can play again later!
Read this story every day to be a transition pro!
Timed Break Slides Timed Breaks
Breaks have a beginning and an end!
My Break Plan
1. CHOOSE
Pick one fun thing to do.
2. SET
Turn the timer to 5 minutes.
3. PLAY
Have fun until you hear the beep!
4. RETURN
Walk back to your workspace.
5
Setting my own timer!
When I set the timer, I am in charge of my break!
"The red disk shows me exactly how much play time I have left."
I Can Do It!
When the timer beeps, I can stop my play all by myself. This shows I am ready for big kid work!
Stop Play
Clean Up
Sit Down
My Break Planner Worksheet Break Planner
I can manage my own time!
Name:
Step 1
Choose
Step 2
Set Timer
Step 3
Play
Step 4
Return
Circle one choice:
Blocks
Drawing
Puzzle
Music
Bean Bag
Water
Teacher Note: Have students circle their choice before getting the timer. This builds the concept that the break is intentional and structured.
Break Time Pass Material Break Time
I am taking a break!
5 MIN
My Steps
1. Choose Activity
2. Set Timer
3. Play until Beep
4. Go back to work
Return this pass when finished
Break Time
I am taking a break!
5 MIN
My Steps
1. Choose Activity
2. Set Timer
3. Play until Beep
4. Go back to work
Return this pass when finished
Transition Troubleshooting Slides When it's Hard to Stop
Learning what to do with big feelings.
It's okay to feel sad.
Sometimes we are not ready to stop playing. We might feel:
Sad
Angry
"My feelings are big, but I am bigger!"
The "One More Minute" Tool
If you are almost done, you can use your words:
"Can I have one more minute, please?"
YES
Teacher sets 1 min
NO
We must stop now
I can stay calm!
BREATHE
Take 3 slow breaths.
COUNT
Count to 5 on your fingers.
ASK
Tell your teacher: "I am sad."
Coping Choice Cards Material Coping Tools
When the timer says "STOP" but I want to keep going!
BREATHE
I take 3 slow breaths like a balloon.
5
COUNT
I count to 5 on my fingers slowly.
ASK
I ask: "One more minute, please?"
SQUEEZE
I squeeze my hands or a squishy toy.
I am in control of my big feelings!
Transition Troubleshooting Teacher Guide Troubleshooting Guide
Lesson 5: Transition Troubleshooting
The Real Challenge
The final step in mastering transitions is knowing what to do when things go wrong . For some students, the beep of a timer is a trigger for significant anxiety or non-compliance. This lesson shifts from "following rules" to "managing emotions and negotiating."
Activity: Coach the Teacher
This activity turns the power dynamic around, allowing students to be the "experts" in coping.
Scenario
Teacher is playing with blocks. Assistant rings a timer. Teacher "throws a tantrum" (whines, stomps feet, says "I'm not done!").
The Coaching
Students must use their Coping Choice Cards to tell the teacher what to do. "Teacher, take a breath!" or "Teacher, ask for one more minute!"
One More Minute
The "One More Minute" protocol is a negotiation tool .
Rule: You can only ask ONCE. If the teacher says no, we must stop. If yes, we get exactly 60 more seconds.
Coping Script
"I see you are sad to stop."
"It is hard to say goodbye to the blocks."
"Let's count to five together. Then we go."
Transition Progress Tracker
Use these indicators to measure student mastery:
Level 1: Developing
Stops with physical prompting from staff.
Level 2: emerging
Stops with verbal reminder after the beep.
Level 3: Mastered
Stops independently upon hearing the beep.