How to use the think–pair–share timer
Put your question on the board. Give students quiet thinking time, invite them to compare ideas with a partner, then bring everyone together to share. Adjust the suggested timings for your class.
- Press StartThe first step begins at once. Space starts and pauses; N moves to the next step early; +1 adds a minute to this step.
- Press ProjectorThe step’s title, “Step 2 of 3” and what comes next fill the screen beside big numbers — on solid dusk, or Daylight for a bright room. The buttons dim while it runs but never disappear.
- Teacher-led or AutoThis activity waits at each step with a soft chime until you press Start. Choose Auto under Edit steps to let it run by itself.
- Make it yoursEdit steps renames, retimes, reorders or adds steps; Share puts your version in a link for your next lesson. No account needed.
The 3 steps · 10 min
| Step | What happens | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Think | Write down your ideas | 2 min |
| 2. Pair | Discuss with a partner | 3 min |
| 3. Share | Listen and contribute | 5 min |
Waits for you between steps. The whole activity ends with a gentle chime — or a silent glow — that rings until you press Stop.
More classroom activities and routines
Each runs as steps on the projector, ready to start.
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Station × 4 · 10Tidy up and move × 3 · 2Tidy up and return · 2
RunLesson Agenda
Starter · 5Learn · 10Practise · 25Exit ticket · 5
RunMorning Routine
Make the bed · 1Get ready · 5Breakfast · 10Final check · 3
RunExam Practice
Read and plan · 5Section × 2 · 20Review · 5
RunReading Session
Choose a focus · 1Read · 20Reflect · 3
RunWriting Sprint
Plan · 3Write · 20Review · 5
Run
Classroom timers: ten visual timers →All classroom activities →Build a sequence from scratch →