I have been teaching for what feels like a long time now (14 years in reality). One of the most underestimated aspects of the school day is the need for students to get up and moving. Movement during various stages at the day doesn't always need to be complex, planned or timetabled. The benefits of small movement breaks during the day are huge! Kids often come to school either tired or full of energy which can stop learning either way. Here are 5 quick and easy tips to get your students moving throughout the day:
1. The Magic minute: my personal favourite. It doesn't take long and doesn't need much planning. If you see students in need of a boost, simply get them up doing some sort of activity for one minute. I call it the magic minute because after it has a very calming and focussing effect. Examples: one minute sprinting on the spot, one minute of star jumps or one minute of lunges. This list can go on and on.
2. Brain Breaks: if you see that your students are switching off, have a bank of brain break cards on your desk. I have them on icy pole sticks. Simply pull out a quick movement game like Simon says, line up in height order etc, find a friend who... which can break the day up for kids as well as have some fun.
3. Just Dance: Great and easy activity for getting kids up and switched on to learn. Grab a range of you tube links to appropriate Just Dance videos for kids, put them on and let kids get moving.
4. Hands on experiences: Planning hands on experiences as part of learning will ensure that kids are not just sitting at desks all day. Asking them to manipulate, construct, build, play etc as part of learning and this will ensure that they are not just sitting at a desk
5. Build in dance or movement into counting etc: There are so many great videos on You Tube to get kids standing up and dancing when they count or learn verbs etc. The kids love them but it also makes learning more fun and enjoyable.
1. The Magic minute: my personal favourite. It doesn't take long and doesn't need much planning. If you see students in need of a boost, simply get them up doing some sort of activity for one minute. I call it the magic minute because after it has a very calming and focussing effect. Examples: one minute sprinting on the spot, one minute of star jumps or one minute of lunges. This list can go on and on.
2. Brain Breaks: if you see that your students are switching off, have a bank of brain break cards on your desk. I have them on icy pole sticks. Simply pull out a quick movement game like Simon says, line up in height order etc, find a friend who... which can break the day up for kids as well as have some fun.
3. Just Dance: Great and easy activity for getting kids up and switched on to learn. Grab a range of you tube links to appropriate Just Dance videos for kids, put them on and let kids get moving.
4. Hands on experiences: Planning hands on experiences as part of learning will ensure that kids are not just sitting at desks all day. Asking them to manipulate, construct, build, play etc as part of learning and this will ensure that they are not just sitting at a desk
5. Build in dance or movement into counting etc: There are so many great videos on You Tube to get kids standing up and dancing when they count or learn verbs etc. The kids love them but it also makes learning more fun and enjoyable.
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