Brain Breaks

There is a significant amount of research pointing to the importance of using "brain breaks" in the classroom, a brain break provides an opportunity for students to take a mental break from an academic task. Brain breaks get blood circulating, and the right and left side of the brain talking to one another, providing renewed focus and mental clarity. A good rule of thumb- students can handle as many minutes of a given task equal to their age. In other words you will start to lose a middle school student age 13 after about 13 minutes of any classroom activity be it lecture, discussion, group work, silent reading/writing... etc. While a given asignment may require an entire class period, having students partcipate in a brain break every 10-15 minutes is reasonable, and as part of an established routine these breaks do not disrupt the flow of the lesson. Below are a list of brain breaks, as well as 4 links to additional resources including video examples.
 
Additional Resources for Brain Breaks

• Link: Resource 1 
• Link: Resource 2
• Link: Resource 3
• Link: Resource 4

Brain Breaks

Simon Says: It’s a classic and students love it!

Crab Walk around the Room: Put on a song and have students walk in the CRAB POSITION around the room. At some point, have students go in reverse.

Macarena: Teach students the hand movements for the old-school song! You can find the song for free on YouTube.

Cupid Shuffle: This dance isn’t just fun at weddings! You can find the song and dance on YouTube. It may take students a few tries to learn it, but you will inevitably have a natural dancer in the group that can help other students learn.

Doodle Time: Give students some blank paper and markers and let them DOODLE and talk for five minutes. It sounds simple but students love to draw and doodle.

Dance Party: Turn on the radio and let students DANCE until the song ends.

Tic-Tac-Toe: Give students some blank paper to play tic-tac-toe with a friend. It’s a simple game that won’t cause a mess or a distraction for your neighbors! J

50 Jumping Jacks: Get students’ heart rates up with this QUICK physical exercise.

Bingo: Depending on time…the song OR the game!

Heads Up, 7-Up: Another classic that is easy and exciting for students!

Cha-Cha Slide: Find the lyrics and dance moves on YouTube!

Stretching: Choose a student to come up and lead a minute of stretching. All of the kiddos know various stretches from gym class, and they will enjoy leading their peers!

Congo Line: Turn the radio on and form a Congo line to move around the room.

Push-Up/Sit-Up: Have students pick a partner and let them count out each other’s push-ups and sit-ups. Another great physical exercise for kids that will provide a break from learning and strengthen their muscles at the same time!

Pantomime: Choose a student to act out an activity WITHOUT talking. The class must mimic the leader and then guess what the activity is. (Swimming, flying, sleeping, laughing, jogging, singing, etc.)

Mirror-Mirror: Have students pair up and mirror the actions of their partner. Students will get a kick out of this activity!

Thumb Wrestling: Have students choose a partner and participate in some old-fashioned thumb wrestling. Be sure to establish your expectations before this little brain break.

Rock, Paper, Scissors: Let kiddos partner up for five rounds of Rock, Paper, Scissors. The winners get a high five from their partner. :)

Ninja, Cowboy, Bear (Like rock, paper scissor- Ninja beats Cowboy, Cowboy beats Bear, and Bear beats Ninja. Pair students, and have them stand back to back, on the count of three the students turn. Example here: http://ninja-cowboy-bear.com/activities/games

Sky Writing: Have kiddos sky write their ABCs, sight words, spelling words, or a secret message to their friend.

Air Band: Choose an "air" instrument and "rock out!" Drums, guitar, and saxophone are my personal favorites.

Silent Yoga: Strike a yoga pose and see how long your students can hold that pose. Google "Kid Yoga" for some easy examples.