Wake Up!
Do you ever have those days where your students, no matter how hard you try, are zoned out and disengaged? Try getting your students up and moving. After all, it’s hard to be sleepy when your body is moving!
When I was working towards my master’s degree, one of the courses I took discussed the brain in detail- its parts, its functions, and its place in the classroom. It was fascinating and I take what I learned and create my lessons with those facts in mind.
One such addition to my teaching style, is called “Brain Breaks.” Jean Blaydes Madigan is a neurologist that focuses on brain based learning through movement. She did an in-service on this idea in Naperville, IL where David Sladkey taught. He then helped Brain Breaks spread like wildfire in his school. He also published a book based on these ideas. Brain Breaks are simple exercises to wake your brain up and encourage your left hemisphere to connect with the right hemisphere. All you have to do is cross your midline (if you cut your body in half head to toe, cross over the imaginary line). For example, punch your right arm across your body, then punch your left arm across your body so that the pathway makes an “X.” There are various exercises such as this that do not require a lot of time or space to execute. It only takes a few minutes and you can intersperse them throughout the day.
Students enjoy the break and find it quite fun. Don’t worry, you are not left out. You should do them too! The more the brain works together, the stronger the connections become. Who doesn’t need more brain power?
I am such a proponent of this method and have seen it work wonders. Students become highly engaged in the classroom, have meaningful comments to share, and enjoy the physical nature of each exercise. I even have my students lead the “Brain Break” sessions; well, I did not really have a choice. (They’re very convincing 🙂 ) It always cracks me up to see them chatting on the playground about this “thing” we do in the classroom. Other students beg their teachers to incorporate these Brain Breaks. Many teachers think its “one more thing” to do; but, I promise it’s manageable and transformational to your teaching.
You can also try: Deskercize. You can search for it if your school has a membership with Discovery Education. I sometimes will show the video clip and the students follow along. Or you can purchase it too!
So go check it out! Let me know how it goes… you’ll be hooked!
About the author, Gretchen
I am a teacher trainer and coach. Working elbow to elbow with teachers and teacher leaders to ensure instructional proficiency and student achievement soar lights me up. We have a real need in our nation for strong educators to remain in the field. My blog, book, podcast, courses and instructional materials are geared towards empowering teachers (and those that lead them) to receive the support needed to grow and thrive today, tomorrow and always.
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