BRAIN HOOK UPS

This is an easy strategy that you can integrate to wake up those little brains - and maybe your brain, too!  Draw a line from your forehead down the middle of your body. That’s called your midline. The brain is made up of two hemispheres and when you cross that midline it helps both hemispheres of the brain work together. Here are some exercises for crossing the midline that are perfect for a brain break or between content areas.

Hint! Place a piece of painter's tape down the children's midline so they can visually see how they cross it as you exercise and learn.

                       

Turn on Your Brain
Use this idea to start each morning.
     Turn on the right side of your brain. (Left hand touches right side of head.)
     Turn on the left side of your brain. (Right hand touches left side of head.)
     Turn on your right ear.  (Touch right ear with left hand.)
     Turn on your left ear.  (Touch left ear with right hand.)
     Turn on your right eye.  (Point to right eye with left hand.)
     Turn on your left eye.  (Point to left eye with right hand.)
     You don't have to turn on your mouth because it's always "on."
     Now you're ready to learn!!

Simple Tap
Touch right hand to left knee and left hand to right knee. 
*Say letters of the alphabet, count, read sight words, etc. as you tap.

Bend and Stretch
Lift left knee and touch with right elbow. Lift right knee and touch with left elbow. 
                                                                      
Backwards Touch
Lift left foot behind you and stretch back with right hand and touch. Reverse for the right foot and left hand. 

Catch a Star
Reach with right hand up in the air to your left and pretend to catch a star. Then reach with your left hand up in the air to your right and catch a star. 

Pat on the Back 
Alternate patting the back of your left shoulder with your right hand and your right shoulder with your left hand. 

Brain Hug 
Thumbs up. Thumbs down. Cross your arms. Clasp your fingers. 
Bring your hands under and into your chest. Give yourself a hug. 

Karate Chops 

Spread your feet apart and bend your knees. Alternate hands making karate chops as you skip count by ones, fives, tens, etc.
*Spell the letters in words and then fold hands and bow as you say the word.  
                      

PVC Rhythm and Dance Wands
Bobby Verostko shared these PVC rhythm and dance wands she made which are perfect for crossing the midline. She used colorful duct tape, PVC scraps and some tulle her aunt gave her. For dance wands she used 4” PVC pipes and for rhythm sticks she used 9 ½” pipes. She used hot glue to insert the 1” tulle streamers in the pipes. (Although Bobby said you could use any size or number you wanted.) These are perfect for a school program or just following along to favorite songs. She said her children love them. One child said, “They are like the wind!”