Beat the Clock
Learn
Sometimes we need to answer questions quickly! "Beat the Clock" means finishing before time runs out. Let's learn how to work fast AND stay calm!
What Does "Beat the Clock" Mean?
Beat the clock means finishing something before your time is up. It's like a race - but you're racing against time, not other people!
How to Work Fast and Stay Calm
Take one breath to get ready
Don't go so fast you miss things!
You CAN do this!
Skip hard ones, come back later
Important Tip!
Being fast doesn't mean being sloppy! It's better to get a few questions right than to rush and get them all wrong. Slow is smooth, smooth is fast!
Steps for Timed Work
Ready
Get set!
Read
Understand it
Think
Find answer
Answer
Say or mark it
Next
Move on!
Time Tip: Ask a parent to count to 10 slowly. Try to answer before they finish! That's about how long you have for each question.
Examples
Try these timed challenges! Ask someone to count to 10 while you answer!
Example 1: Quick Math
Think: Two plus one more makes...
Answer: 3! That's quick thinking!
Example 2: Color Question
Think: Picture a banana in your head...
Answer: Yellow! You know this one!
Example 3: Counting Challenge
Think: Point and count: 1, 2, 3, 4...
Answer: 4 stars! Good job!
Example 4: What's Next?
Think: What comes after 3 when counting?
Answer: 4! You're counting!
Example 5: Yes or No
Think: Do people have dogs as pets?
Answer: YES! Fast answer!
Practice Problems
Race the clock! Try to answer each one before counting to 10!
Problem 1 (10 seconds)
How many fingers on one hand?
Show Answer
5 fingers! You can count them: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5!
Problem 2 (10 seconds)
What shape has 4 equal sides? ⬜
Show Answer
A square has 4 equal sides!
Problem 3 (10 seconds)
3 + 2 = ?
Show Answer
5! Three plus two equals five.
Problem 4 (10 seconds)
What color is the sky on a sunny day?
Show Answer
Blue! The sky is blue when the sun is out.
Problem 5 (10 seconds)
How many? 🍎🍎🍎
Show Answer
3 apples! Quick counting!
Problem 6 (10 seconds)
Is a fish a mammal? Yes or No?
Show Answer
No! Fish are not mammals - they live in water and have gills!
Problem 7 (10 seconds)
What letter comes after B?
Show Answer
C! A, B, C!
Problem 8 (10 seconds)
4 - 1 = ?
Show Answer
3! Four take away one equals three.
Problem 9 (10 seconds)
Which is bigger: an elephant or a mouse?
Show Answer
An elephant is MUCH bigger than a mouse!
Problem 10 (10 seconds)
What comes next? Red, Blue, Red, ___
Show Answer
Blue! The pattern is red, blue, red, blue!
Check Your Understanding
Show what you learned about beating the clock!
Question 1
What does "beat the clock" mean?
Show Answer
It means finishing before your time is up! Like racing against time.
Question 2
What should you do FIRST before starting a timed task?
Show Answer
Take a breath and get ready! Being calm helps you think faster.
Question 3
If a question is too hard, what should you do?
Show Answer
Skip it and move on! You can come back to hard ones later if you have time.
Question 4
Which is better: rushing and getting answers wrong, or going steady and getting them right?
Show Answer
Going steady and getting them right! It's better to answer fewer questions correctly than rush and make mistakes.
Next Steps
Practice at Home!
- Have a parent time you counting to 20
- Play quick question games at dinner time
- See how fast you can name 5 animals
- Practice staying calm even when hurrying
- Try to beat your own best time!