https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtLKKrJ4KSs
It’s important for the teacher to model brain breaks and participate with the students. These activities have an additional benefit by reducing stress and boredom – in adults and children!
Here are three pages of brain breaks that are quick, easy, and fun.
TIPS FOR TERRIFICT BRAIN BREAKS!
*The teacher adds the magic. You need to model these brain breaks and use them as an opportunity to smile and have fun with your students.
*Moving with a purpose. Explain to your students, parents, and administrators the importance of these brain breaks. Yes, we are having fun, but we are also exercising children’s brains and bodies.
*Introduce one brain break at a time and practice it for several days. Each class is different, so if your students like it keep on doing it. If they don’t like it move on to another one.
*Write titles of brain breaks your students enjoy on sentence strips and tape to a wall. Once you have introduced 5-10 you can let a student helper choose a brain break and lead the class.
*It’s all good! It doesn’t matter of your students do the movements perfectly or not. As long as they are watching you and trying to mimic your movements you know their brains are working.
*Don’t be surprised if it doesn’t work the first time. According to research, it takes 7-25 times for muscle memory to master a task. Try, try, and try again. You’ll be surprised how quickly you will see some improvement.
*These activities have an additional benefit by reducing stress – in adults and children! Instead of getting upset – take a brain break!
My suggestion would be to choose one at a time and practice it for several days. (Not all of these are going to work, so just throw the ones your students don’t like in the trash and move on to another one.) Glue popular activities to an index card or jumbo craft stick and save them in a bag. After a few weeks you’ll have a bag full of brain breaks.
*Older students will enjoy choosing a brain break and leading their classmates.
