Types of Brain Breaks

There are many different options for types of brain breaks that can be used in elementary classrooms.  Two of these, the Hoberman sphere for breathing, and slap trivia, have already been discussed in this blog.  Here are some additional brain breaks that can easily be incorporated into daily routines.  The following activities all can be done in a timeframe of two to five minutes.

 

• Movement Songs: Sing a song with whole-body movements such as "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes" or "The Hokey Pokey.

• Jump Skip Counting: Students count by twos, fives, tens etc. while jumping with each count.

• Exercise Movement Counting: Same as jump counting, but using different types of exercises such as arm circles or knee bends.

• 5-4-3-2-1. In this simple game, students stand up and the teacher (or leader) has them do five different movements in descending order. For example the teacher would say: "Do fivejumping jacks, spin around four times, hop on one foot threetimes, walk all the way around the classroom two times, give your neighbor one high-five (pausing in between each task for students to do it).

• Trading Places Have students stand behind their pushed-in chairs. Call out a trait and everyone who has that trait must change places with someone else (students who do not have the trait stay where they are).

• Dance Party: Put on some music and dance!

• Freeze Dance: Play music and have students freeze when it stops.

• Name Moves Students stand behind their chairs. In turn, each student says his or her name accompanied by a special movement. For example a student might say, "Kayla!" while dramatically dropping to one knee and doing Jazz Hands. After the student does his or her move, the rest of the class says the students name in unison and imitates the move. Then it is the next student's turn.

• Follow the Leader: Students follow the movements of whoever is the leader.

•  Pattern Clap: Clap your hands in different slow and quick patterns and have students copy.