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Peabody TeachFor teachers and grown-ups

4 minute timer

A 4 minute countdown timer for the projector: big digits, a quiet chime, warning colours and full screen. Good for warm-ups and think-pair-share.

Ready

4:00

Keys: Space start or pause · R reset · ← → 30 seconds · 1–8 the presets · M sound · F full screen

How to use it

  1. The timer is already set to 4 minutes. Press Start, or tap the Space bar.
  2. Press F to fill the screen. The buttons fade away until you move the mouse; press Esc to come back.
  3. Add or take off 30 seconds with the arrow keys. If you need a different length, press a preset or choose Custom.

Ideas for class

  • Run partner reading: two minutes each, then swap.
  • Give a four-minute pair problem where partners solve together, then compare with another pair.
  • Time a sorting activity with word or picture cards.
  • Use four minutes for a stand-up, hand-up, pair-up share with a new partner.
  • Run a retrieval round: write everything you remember from yesterday, then check your notes.
  • Hold a four-minute 'teach your neighbour' round after a mini-lesson.
  • Split 4 minutes into 3 to work and 1 to share: press Start, and pause at 3:00 elapsed to switch.

Related

Questions

How do I use a 4 minute timer for partners?

Press Start for the first partner and call 'swap' at 2:00, when the digits are halfway. The warning colours also change about a third from the end, so partners know when to wrap up.

Is 4 minutes enough for a warm-up or a quick write?

Many teachers pick 4 minutes for a bell-ringer or a short writing task because it is long enough for real thinking but short enough that the class is not waiting. If students finish early, give them a second question; if many are not finished, press the right arrow key to add 30 seconds without stopping the clock.

How do I change the 4 minute timer?

Press a preset button or choose Custom and type a length such as 7:30 or 90s. The page address updates to carry the new length, so you can bookmark it or share it. This page always opens at 4 minutes.

Will the 4 minute timer keep the right time if the tab is in the background?

Yes. The countdown compares the clock when you pressed Start with the clock now, so it stays right when a tab sleeps. When it reaches zero it plays a short, soft chime (press M to turn the sound off) and the page title in the tab says the time is up.

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