Restlessness in the classroom is too common, and this is could be due to the little number of breaks that students take.
Young students find it difficult to remain silent and attentive for long periods of time. It is only their natural instincts taking over when they start wiggling in their seats, talking to one another and getting up to wander around. For most teachers, this is unacceptable. It becomes a law-and-order situation. Parents get called, and children feel as if there is something wrong with them for having a lot of energy.
Keeping in mind the enthusiasm and energy that drives children, how can we make the class period of 40 to 60 minutes work for everybody? The answer lies in a fun solution: brain breaks. Brain breaks are nothing but short 3-to-5 minute activities that will get the whole class up and about and rejuvenated for the rest of the class period. Yes, the solution to the law-and-order situation is that simple. Take brain breaks every 20 or 30 minutes or whenever your class starts getting antsy.
Studies have shown that physical activity in the classroom improves learning outcomes. This stems from the fact that physical activity improves blood circulation and increased blood flow to the brain, assisting in the learning process. Brain breaks increase focus and attentiveness while also bringing in physical activity which is healthy for the body. They help students release stress, pent up energy and even anxiety.
Brain breaks don’t need to be fancy. Also, they have actually been around for some time. Remember the teacher who used to suddenly say mid-lesson, “Everyone on your feet. Hands up, hands down, hands up, hands down – are you all awake now?” Well, those were brain breaks – only they didn’t have a fancy term for it then.
What about all the noise they’d make? Well, if your noisy class will affect other classes, you have the option of choosing quiet brain breaks or just take your classes in a place that allows some noise and fun like the school auditorium, beneath a big tree on the grounds or whatever works for you. If you really make up your mind to see this through, you will come up with solutions so that your class gets its fun without disturbing the rest of the school.
Here are a few ideas for brain breaks.
1) Dance – The variations with this option are unlimited. And who wouldn’t like to get up and dance in the middle of an algebra lesson?
a) Planned choreography – Have your class learn the steps to songs like Macarena or YMCA (plenty of tutorials are available online for the choreography). This brain break activity will be a favourite with your students!
b) Dance and freeze – Have your class dance to music and freeze in whatever poses they are when you stop the music. They have to move around the class while dancing. You can add conditions to the dancing like, “Do the twist!” or “Dance like your hair is on fire!” Ask your kids for suggestions and trust me, your brain breaks are going to be remembered for a lifetime.
c) Dance and sing – Learn the lyrics of a fast song and go around the class singing and dancing (it could be choreographed or you could just let them go freestyle).
2) Stretches – After 20 minutes of intense focus, it helps to just get up and stretch. A simple ‘reach for the sky, reach for your toes’ activity would help release all that pent up energy. This one is a silent activity.
3) Aerobics – Jumping jacks or squats are also a good way to get the blood flowing. If you add music to this activity, you will get better results.
4) Zumba – If you are a Zumba fan, this one is right up your alley. Have the kids do a short Zumba workout – effective and fun.
Things to consider while organizing brain breaks:
a) Go for a brain break before your class starts to get fidgety.
b) Mix it up. Don’t do the same activity every time. Kids love disruption!
c) Ask your class for suggestions for brain break activities. They will come up with the wildest of ideas.
So, what are you waiting for? Breathe some life and fun into those classes!
Young students find it difficult to remain silent and attentive for long periods of time. It is only their natural instincts taking over when they start wiggling in their seats, talking to one another and getting up to wander around. For most teachers, this is unacceptable. It becomes a law-and-order situation. Parents get called, and children feel as if there is something wrong with them for having a lot of energy.
Keeping in mind the enthusiasm and energy that drives children, how can we make the class period of 40 to 60 minutes work for everybody? The answer lies in a fun solution: brain breaks. Brain breaks are nothing but short 3-to-5 minute activities that will get the whole class up and about and rejuvenated for the rest of the class period. Yes, the solution to the law-and-order situation is that simple. Take brain breaks every 20 or 30 minutes or whenever your class starts getting antsy.
Studies have shown that physical activity in the classroom improves learning outcomes. This stems from the fact that physical activity improves blood circulation and increased blood flow to the brain, assisting in the learning process. Brain breaks increase focus and attentiveness while also bringing in physical activity which is healthy for the body. They help students release stress, pent up energy and even anxiety.
Brain breaks don’t need to be fancy. Also, they have actually been around for some time. Remember the teacher who used to suddenly say mid-lesson, “Everyone on your feet. Hands up, hands down, hands up, hands down – are you all awake now?” Well, those were brain breaks – only they didn’t have a fancy term for it then.
What about all the noise they’d make? Well, if your noisy class will affect other classes, you have the option of choosing quiet brain breaks or just take your classes in a place that allows some noise and fun like the school auditorium, beneath a big tree on the grounds or whatever works for you. If you really make up your mind to see this through, you will come up with solutions so that your class gets its fun without disturbing the rest of the school.
Here are a few ideas for brain breaks.
1) Dance – The variations with this option are unlimited. And who wouldn’t like to get up and dance in the middle of an algebra lesson?
a) Planned choreography – Have your class learn the steps to songs like Macarena or YMCA (plenty of tutorials are available online for the choreography). This brain break activity will be a favourite with your students!
b) Dance and freeze – Have your class dance to music and freeze in whatever poses they are when you stop the music. They have to move around the class while dancing. You can add conditions to the dancing like, “Do the twist!” or “Dance like your hair is on fire!” Ask your kids for suggestions and trust me, your brain breaks are going to be remembered for a lifetime.
c) Dance and sing – Learn the lyrics of a fast song and go around the class singing and dancing (it could be choreographed or you could just let them go freestyle).
2) Stretches – After 20 minutes of intense focus, it helps to just get up and stretch. A simple ‘reach for the sky, reach for your toes’ activity would help release all that pent up energy. This one is a silent activity.
3) Aerobics – Jumping jacks or squats are also a good way to get the blood flowing. If you add music to this activity, you will get better results.
4) Zumba – If you are a Zumba fan, this one is right up your alley. Have the kids do a short Zumba workout – effective and fun.
Things to consider while organizing brain breaks:
a) Go for a brain break before your class starts to get fidgety.
b) Mix it up. Don’t do the same activity every time. Kids love disruption!
c) Ask your class for suggestions for brain break activities. They will come up with the wildest of ideas.
So, what are you waiting for? Breathe some life and fun into those classes!
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