Start with one familiar activity
Try a five-minute tidy-up or a ten-minute independent task. Choose the duration for the group and the activity, rather than using the countdown to rush children. Explain that when the water is gone, you will pause together and check what comes next.
Make the timer easy to see
Use fullscreen on a shared display. Check visibility from the back of the room, choose a clear theme, and decide whether sound would help or interrupt. A silent timer can suit reading; a gentle finish sound may suit tidying up.
Leave space for the transition
Give a short spoken reminder before the finish. At the end, acknowledge the work and provide one clear instruction. If the class needs more time, add a minute openly so the timer remains a predictable helper.
