Overview

Objective Reenergize students so they’re ready to fully engage in their next task Give students safe, structured ways to connect with peers and teachers Refocus students’ attention for more—and more productive—learning

Test Anxiety Relievers

Pressure Point Massage Gently massage the pressure point between your thumb and pointer finger for one minute. Switch hands after 30 seconds.

Do Nothing http://www.donothingfor2minutes.com/

Deep Breaths Breaks Breathe in slowly (4 count) Hold for 4 seconds Breathe out slowly (4 count) Repeat for 6 total breathes

Snowball Toss Students are given a piece of paper to write down something they are stressed about, worried or afraid of. Then ask the students “what do they need to do with those things that stress them” (answers will vary) Tell students to wad up their paper and get rid of them through a snowball toss. (video on next slide). After a few minutes students will pick and read the paper closest to them and discuss how they feel after the activity.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iuu8_Ga63J8

Energizers

Super Bowl: Rock, Paper, Scissors Challenge Students are in pairs. Partners compete in one round of traditional Rock, Paper, Scissors. Repeat round if there is a tie. The winner from each pair moves on and finds another winning student to play. The non-winner joins the team of the person who beat them and cheers for them in their next competition. Each round, the winner advances and the non-winners continue to follow the winner and cheer for their team. The game continues until there are only two winners left. Final round determines the overall Champion.

Chair Roller Coaster Works best seated on the desk top or on a chair Direct students to sit down and balance on their seats without the use of their hands or feet (engaging core muscles). Teacher or student leader acts out the actions to simulate being on a roller coaster while students follow along in balanced position: • Harness on – Pull imaginary harness over shoulders • Climbing – Hold on to imaginary harness and lean back • Turns – Mix in a variety of “turns” by leaning arms to one side, then the other, start slow and get faster • Drop – Both hands up and scream, shake arms • Repeat – Turns, Climbs, Drops • Finish – Lift harness off of shoulders. • Exit – Everyone stands up, grabs their belly, and acts like they are sick

Kahoots Brain Teasers Click on link below https://create.kahoot.it/share/brain-teasers/9647ce15-2bdd-4541-bb4e-f1aaf737e1f4

Brain Break Videos

Oddly Satisfying Video: Absolute Calmness https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CD5NmsWbe_w

Oddly Satisfying Video: Absolute Calmness https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mgs54BuU4Vo

People are Awesome https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWf8CXwPoqI

Quick Brain Breaks

Finger - Thumb Put your fists together. Point your index finger on one hand and stick your thumb out on the other hand. Now switch… and switch again… How fast can you go?

Blink Try to blink one eye while snapping on the opposite side's hand 15 times in a row. Alternate eyes. (In other words, blink your left eye while simultaneously snapping with your right hand and then blinking your right eye while snapping with your left hand.) Challenge: Hopping with the opposite foot can be substituted for snapping or ADDED for an additional challenge.

21 – Hand Slap Game Face your partner with hands out, palms up. Ex: Player 1 Player 2 Hand slap – 1 Hand slap – 2,3 Hand slap – 4,5 Hand slap – 6 Hand slap – 7,8 Hand slap 9,10 Hand slap – 11, 12 Hand slap – 13 Hand slap – 14, 15 Hand slap – 16 Hand slap 17, 18 Hand slap – 19 Hand slap – 20, 21 Player 1 Wins!! Face your partner with hands out, palms up. With your right hand, slap your partner’s left hand as you count. Each turn, you can count by 1 or by 2 only. The objective is to be the first person to get to 21.

Brain Breaks or Classroom Circles

Would You Rather…

Would You Rather… The Rules 1. Consider each choice. 2.Think carefully before making a decision. 3. Make sure you are able to defend your choice with a good explanation. 4. Have fun!

Would You Rather…. Or Spend a week down the shore for vacation? Spend a week up the mountains for vacation? Or

Would You Rather…. Go scuba diving? Go skydiving? Or

Would You Rather…. Eat beets? Eat brussel sprouts? Or

Would You Rather…. Or Tell the truth and hurt someone’s feelings? Not tell the truth to keep someone happy? Or

Would You Rather…. Or Have it be daylight all the time? Have it be dark all the time? Or

Would You Rather…. Know your future? Not know your future? Or

Be the youngest sibling? Would You Rather…. Be the oldest sibling? Be the youngest sibling? Or

Speak several foreign languages? Would You Rather…. Speak several foreign languages? Speak to animals? Or

Would You Rather…. Have no cell phone? Have no TV? Or

Be invisible when you wanted to be? Would You Rather…. Be able to fly? Be invisible when you wanted to be? Or

Give up your favorite food? Would You Rather…. Eat a bug? Give up your favorite food? Or

Would You Rather…. Or Walk barefoot over hot coals? Walk barefoot over broken glass? Or

Would You Rather…. Be a dog? Be a cat? Or

Would You Rather…. Be a villain? Be a superhero? Or

Would You Rather…. Or Lose the ability to hear for one day? Lose the ability to talk for one day? Lose the ability to hear for one day? Or

Take a 100 question math test? Would You Rather…. Take a 100 question math test? Sing a solo on stage? Or

Optional Video & Activities