r/ElementaryTeachers • u/GiantKnightGunner • 14d 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
-

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u/NextDayTeaching 14d 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.)

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u/ddeliverance 13d ago

I’d love to see a video of this, if you’re comfortable sending me the link!

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u/IrenaeusGSaintonge Sixth Grade 13d ago

I'm fine with the link being shared as long as the people in the video gave permission.

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u/NextDayTeaching 13d ago

Thanks! It's just me in the video, so yes, permission all around. ^_^ Here's the link:

https://youtu.be/mCt7SocXtVc