I want to start off by saying I love GoNoodle! It gives me and my students a mental break! But, I do find myself checking emails, or if I am playing along I do not have much interactions with my students as I would like. They also do not have much interactions with each other during this time either. I have been thinking about how much this is a missed opportunity for myself to connect with my students and for them to connect with each other. I decided to revamp my classroom brain breaks!
More Cooperative Learning!
(Click here for a great article on cooperative learning.)
My district uses Kagan! I absolutely love it and wholeheartedly believe in the power of cooperative learning. I just recently picked up the book Silly Sports & Goofy Games!
This book gives over 200 different break break ideas! I have been slowly incorporating them into our brain break routine! One of my favorite that is super simple is Ten Count. I break the class in half and they attempt to basically count to ten without anyone in the group repeating the number. It is so fun to see their minds work and how they will be able to work through this problem together. This book has tons of games from simple to more elaborate! It has definitely been a huge help!
I also like there quick Teambuilding downloads and Logic Line-Ups to use for brain breaks.
TPT also has a lot of free resources.
Introducing My Inner Jane Fonda
So, I actually have taught and still teach a variety of fitness classes. I thought it would be fun if I started leading my class in a fitness class for a brain break! I think it gives my students a moment to see another side of me (And for a brief moment they might even think I am as cool as Koo Koo Kangaroo!). We have been doing this for about three weeks now. They have started asking me can you teach us another dance or can we do kickboxing on our brain break. I really do think it has given us a new way to connect, and something fun we do together (I also get in a few extra steps too ☺)!
I have taught kickboxing, Zumba, and yoga so I have a number of routines that I already know, but you can always do this too if you do not have this backgrounf. One girl I know does this too for her brain breaks, but she does them all sitting and they are super simple moves she just makes up as she goes. Another thing is YouTube! You can learn any simple Zumba dance or pick up a super easy fitness routine online!
Relaxation Music - If you want to lead them through some calming exercises like in yoga!
I hope you enjoyed this post! I know I have enjoyed doing this for my brain breaks! Have more ideas? Drop me a comment below!
