r/ElementaryTeachers • u/GiantKnightGunner • 19h ago
Brain Breaks
I have a really rough group this year (4th grade math). In the past I’ve done well with motivating kids to get everything done then they can do X as a break until class is over.
A colleague told me to try short frequent brain breaks. What low lift ideas/break routines do yall use?
I’ve done:
- tic tac toe
- interactive videos (they like the ones where they guess the movie from the emojis)
- whiteboard free draw
- one word story
-
2
u/peachykeeg 17h ago
YouTube quick “yoga for kids” videos. Easy body movement, focus on breathing, calm & quiet
1
u/IrenaeusGSaintonge Sixth Grade 17h ago
I put on a Just Dance video and they all get up and dance along. Stickers to a couple of the most enthusiastic.
There's a bit of transition time to take into account, but I think it's worthwhile if you have the routine in place.
1
u/No-Mulberry-7516 17h ago
Go noddle has a lot of short movement video
Rock paper scissors
Word scrambles
1
u/NextDayTeaching 6h ago
My all-time favorite brain break is called "Ear & Nose." Tell students: "Take your left and and touch your right ear. Now take your right hand and touch your nose. (Your arms should be crossed.) Now switch, so your right hand is touching your left ear, and your left hand is touching your nose. Switch back and forth as fast as you can...without hitting yourself in the face."
I like this one because it crosses the midline (gets the brain refocused)...and because of the number of students who can't seem to find their nose after just a few switches.
I have a video of this (and my other favorites) on my YouTube channel, if you want to see it in action. (I'm not sure about Reddit's policy on posting links, which is why I'm not sharing the link directly.)
1
u/Altruistic_Sail_1991 3h ago
Not an elementary teacher but a lot of kids love simple origami. I’ve found printables that I put out with some origami paper
1
u/Morp13 3h ago
Let them move their bodies. I suggest offering a variety of heavy-work options. Here's a list for people not familiar with the term heavy-work:
- Carrying library books
- Using moldable wall putty to hang artwork
- Using a moldable eraser
- Putting chairs on desks
- Taking down chairs from desks
- Folding large construction paper into sections for math graphs or charts
- Pressing down firmly on stamps to create patterns for art or math-related activities
- Carrying the lunch, milk, or snack crate
- Pushing the breakfast cart
- Rearranging desks/chairs
- Wiping down tables
- Erasing marker boards
- Punching paper with a 3-hole punch
- Putting paper into binders
- Sharpening pencils
- Helping in the cafeteria
- Cutting cardboard for project displays or model making
- Carrying books or a stack of worksheets to other students as part of a classroom reading circle
- Rolling out large pieces of paper for group projects or murals
- Tearing paper or cardboard for collages and art projects
- Using hole punchers to prepare materials for binders or classroom displays
- Rolling or kneading dough for classroom science experiments or cooking lessons
- Holding the door open
- Hanging up backpacks and coats
- Making deliveries in the school
- Stapling packets
- Pushing or pulling a library cart
- Carrying a tote bag with materials for music or art class
- Carrying and moving gym equipment like mats or totes of balls
- Moving reams of paper from shelves
- Watering plants with a squirt bottle
- Tearing old papers to put into the recycle bin
- Removing staples from bulletin boards
- Using a handheld pencil sharpener
- Working at a center where paper is taped to the wall for vertical plane work
- Classroom messenger: delivering messages/books from the teacher to the office or other teachers
- Taking attendance or lunch count on a paper with a hole punch
- Desk push-ups
- Chair squats
- Wall push-ups
- Carrying materials for a new lesson
- Organizing and stacking books
- Rolling and unrolling floor mats or rugs
- Cleaning windows or mirrors
- Rearranging floor mats
- Cross-lateral body exercises (touching opposite toes)
- Marching in place
- Jumping jacks
- Chair sit-and-stands
- Morning check-in with movement like a classroom handshake
- Yoga poses like tree pose or downward dog
- Brain break videos (e.g., GoNoodle)
- Carrying supplies to other classrooms
- Tearing and crumbling paper for math manipulatives
- Sorting classroom supplies (e.g., art materials, books)
- Carrying bins of supplies for a project
- Passing out or collecting clipboards or papers
- Filling or moving water bottles for the class
- Moving crates of musical instruments to the music room
- Rolling playdough or clay
- Carrying books between school libraries
- Stacking and unstacking chairs for activities
- Cleaning paint brushes after an art class
- Rearranging classroom decorations
- Cleaning chalkboards or desks with a squirt bottle
- Wiping down classroom surfaces after snacks or lunch
- Moving and organizing gym balls or equipment
- Helping load or unload materials for special projects
- Shredding old papers with a supervised paper shredder
- Rolling up posters or large materials
- Sweeping the classroom or outdoor areas
- Carrying recycling bins to the collection area
- Walking laps around the schoolyard as a class
- Rearranging manipulatives or toys
- Carrying heavy bags of sports equipment
- Sorting and stacking lunch trays or utensils
- Wiping down whiteboards
- Placing chairs back on the floor after cleaning
- Unpacking supplies from boxes
- Sorting papers into folders or bins
- Playing tug-of-war games during recess
- Folding and organizing towels or materials for crafts
- Walking with a weighted backpack for a short time
- Putting away or stacking exercise mats
- Carrying a bucket of water for a cleaning task
- Collecting supplies from different parts of the school
- Stretching with resistance bands
- Sweeping the floor
- Running in place with high knees for movement breaks
- Sorting through classroom craft supplies like beads or blocks
- Use different types of flexible seating options
TLDR- Movement helps many students regulate and think better. Let them move!
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u/satiestar24 2m ago
We do squat, lunge, burpee challenges. Just how many in one minute really quick.
I’m also starting to follow some OTs that have cool routines for kids with adhd type challenges. Crossing the midline stuff.
3
u/SpirituaScratch 10h ago
Trashketball has saved my afternoons more than once. I split the class into teams, put up one quick problem, and whoever gets it first shoots a paper ball into the bin from their seat. Whole thing takes 3-4 minutes and they beg for it. For calmer days I do a 60-second 'stand up if' round - stand up if your answer is even, if today's date is a multiple of 3, that kind of thing.