Unit 3: How to Implement
Learning Targets
The learner will learn about how to implement brain breaks in the classroom.
The learner will learn about when it is necessary to use a brain break.
Mini- Lecture
How to Implement Brain Breaks in the Classroom
Kids are unpredictable. Teachers thrive off setting rules and creating order in the classroom. When I first started implementing brain breaks, it was a struggle as the students felt that they had too much freedom during this time. Overtime, I have learned that brain breaks need to be built into the classroom routine. This veteran teacher shares her experiences with brain breaks.
1. Pinterest
I keep a board of the all of the brain break videos we do in the classroom. This way, they are easy to find and do not have to open up Youtube from the homepage. I also know that all of the videos are the ones that I am looking for and there will be no surprises. The video below suggests picking a "DJ for the Day" to pick the video.
2. Brain Break Bucket
In my classroom I also keep a bucket where I have placed all of the Brain Breaks for mostly the meditation and silly brain breaks. I choose one at random when it is time for a brain break. The link below shows the brain break pack I purchased. There are many others on this site. Feel free to explore!
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Brain-Breaks-229497
When to Implement
After I create my schedule in the beginning of the year, I look for huge blocks of time in which I know my students will have difficulty maintaining focus. For instance, this year I am teaching first grade and I have a block of time between 12:20 and 1:30. To break it up, I have put a known brain break time at 1:00. This usually falls between the lesson and their independent working time. This is the only "planned" brain break I have in my schedule. At other times, I will the students a brain break, if they are getting to that restless point, if they just finished a difficult task, before they start a difficult task, or even in the middle depending upon the day.
Application
Activity:
1. Watch the video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPZpR9u6E2I&feature=youtu.be
2. Implement your own Brain Break routine
3. Test your routine for a week - keep notes as you go
4. Share your findings in the discussion board below
http://brainbreaks.boardhost.com/index.php
Resources
Toddler/Preschool Dance Party tomorrow! (2010, July 9). Retrieved December 11, 2015, from https://jmclblog.wordpress.com/2010/07/09/toddlerpreschool-dance-party-tomorrow/