Sometimes we all just need a vacation. Unfortunately, there is this thing called an attendance policy, and oh yeah, a job. So maybe you can’t take a vacation anytime you wish, but why not take a BRAINCATION? That’s right, people, a vacation for your brain. Sometimes referred to as a brain break.
I know sometimes it is hard to add one more thing to your already packed teaching schedule, so I compiled a list of ideas to help you incorporate a much needed brain break into your day. Your students, and your brain, will thank you! Here are some brain break ideas that are quick and easy to implement:
1. Verbs and Adverb Practice: Choose a verb and adverb combo to act out. For example/ march quickly, jump slowly, dance happily, etc… Call on volunteers to think of a verb and adverb pair, and have the class do the activity for 30 seconds.
2. Spelling Review: Do jumping jacks, lunges, or other quick exercises for each letter as you spell the word together.
3. Charades: Have students act out vocab words, actions from various stories, or other content related things.
4. Division: Hop 36/6 times, Do 20/5 jumping jacks, etc…
5. Multiplication: Run in place for 9 x 3 seconds, Do 2 x 4 toe touches, etc…
6. Art: Show pictures of various statues, and have students imitate the statues and hold for 10 seconds.
7. Animals: Have students pretend to be various animals i.e. gallop like a horse, stretch like a cat, etc…
8. Sports Star: Have students act out different sports moves i.e. swing a baseball bat, throw a football, spike the volleyball, etc…
9. Things with Wheels: Pretend to drive a car, ride a skateboard, roller-skate, etc…
10. Marching Band: Have students pretend to play various musical instruments while marching to a beat.
11. Good old fashioned dance party. Play music and have students dance. Go crazy and teach them cool moves like the sprinkler or the swim.
12. Geography: Show a map, and have students create an alliterative move for a country or city i.e. Jump in Jacksonville, Twist in Texas, etc…
13. Keep the Beat: March in place to a rhythm while reading aloud poetry or songs.
14. Yoga: Teach students simple standing balance poses like the tree pose or warrior pose.
15: Braincation PowerPoint: Here is a fun freebie that I created using some pictures of various primates. The concept is simple. Students see the primate and imitate it. Monkey See, Monkey Do! You can grab it for FREE from my TPT Store or you can click here to pick it up free from Google Docs. You can see some of the slides below. There are 22 slides in all.
And if you are looking for some more FREE activities to help you get back to school, you should check out the FREE Back to School E-books on TPT. Lots of Sellers got together to compile them, and they are loaded with tips and links to free products.
Have a great Braincation!
Sarah
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