Unit 2- Types of Brain Breaks
Objectives:
- The learner will be able to identify types of brain breaks.
- The learner will understand how different brain breaks are used intentionally by need (Movement, Calming, Creation, or Connection).
- The learner will be able to construct a menu of brain breaks.
Lecture
Types of Brain Breaks
Meditation
- Yoga
- Breathing
- Counting
- Becoming Present
Exercise
- Mountain climbers
- Arm Circles
- Squats
- Jumping Jacks
- Burpees
Singing/ Dancing/ Games
Short dances are a great way to give students a break. You can have them use their imagination as they sing and dance to a song or have students work on their large motor and coordination skills as they do choreography to songs they know.
Take a look at this Youtube Creator who does fun sing-along and dance videos for kids! https://www.youtube.com/@DannyGo
Quick games are easy to facilitate and give children short bursts of socialization and play. Kids need to move, but we have them sitting all day. Most kids (us grown-ups too) don't get enough movement or stimulation in the day. Here are some well-known brain-break games that are quick and easy.
- Simon Says
- Heads up
- Mum Ball
- Thunder-Clap
- Don't be First, Don't be Last
Creative Tasks
This section is for all of those other silly things kids like doing.
For instance:
- Doing the wave
- Would You Rather
- Pat your head, Rub your stomach
- Youtube Optical Illusions Video or ASMR
- Walking like a penguin
- Heads or Tails
- Giving 5 high fives and sitting down
- Doing the moon walk
- Rock-Paper-Scissors
- Balancing a book on your head
Visit one of the websites below to learn more:
Various Types of Brain Breaks and the Outcome: https://www.fullertonsd.org/cms/lib/CA50010905/Centricity/Domain/1251/APAL-Brain-Breaks-Guide.pdf
Brain Break Ideas: http://www.thehappyteacher.co/2012/08/brain-breaks.html
Brain Break Task Cards: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Silly-Sam-Brain-Break-Task-Cards-824050
Task
After visiting the website and reading the lecture material above, you should understand the various types of brain breaks- Meditation, Exercise, Creative Tasks, and Sing/Dance/Games. You will be constructing a “Menu” of brain breaks using Google Slides. You should categorize them into the following categories (exercise, meditation, dancing, brain games). You may need to do outside research on different brain breaks that exist and find the ones you like.
Your Slide Deck should include the following components:
- At least 16 different brain breaks (4 examples for each category)- Labeling each
- Graphic Design- Color, pictures, links etc.
- Instructions on what the break is and how to perform it,
- Words of encouragement
- The outcome of each brain break (To move, to calm your body, to think, etc.)
Review my example here for inspiration on your Menu of Brain breaks!: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1CpWZKD2D3ijPJzUjlKgnZ6PQ5uWqZrQPdHNFdgfW7q4/edit?usp=sharing
Apply and Reflect
Review the article found here: “4 Brain Breaks for Different Classroom Needs” https://www.edutopia.org/article/incorporating-brain-breaks-different-classroom-needs/ --> Think about how your menu of brain breaks reflects what is discussed in the article.