Are you having trouble keeping your middle school students focused?
Kids' attention decreases as lessons extend beyond 10 to 30 minutes of class time.
💡 Offer brain breaks for kids to help increase attention in your students.
Brain breaks are short breaks from classroom instruction that may help students refocus and boost their learning!
These 3 types of age-appropriate brain break strategies will help recharge your middle school classroom.
Strategy #1: Movement Breaks
If you have a group of kids who constantly fidget or thrive when doing hands-on activities, consider brain breaks that offer movement.
Try a peer challenge like rock, paper, scissors!
Or have students start a thumb war class challenge!
Quick exercise breaks are a great way to burn off energy fast.
Jumping jacks
Stretches or yoga poses
Classroom dance party
Scheduled walk around the school
Tabletop push-ups
💡 Some kids might benefit from taking part in mindfulness-based exercises or sensory activities.
Strategy #2: Creative Breaks
Let students get creative for a few minutes, especially if you want to encourage them to think outside of the box!
Doodling can happen with just a pencil and paper and does not require student movement.
Coloring is calming and allows students to play with different color schemes.
Creative writing and journaling allow students to use their imagination. Stay away from academic prompts!
💡 Check out these non-academic writing prompts.
Strategy #3: Brainpower Breaks
If kids love being challenged, give them a break that requires them to use their brains in a different way!
Brain teasers are an engaging brain break for helping students develop critical thinking skills.
Sign language can be learned a little at a time during each break.
Triviaquestions can be a fun break as long as they are not related to the subject or lesson.
💡Check out this list of the best quiz and gameshow apps for classrooms.
Puzzles are a great challenge that can offer a memory boost when students need a break from academics.
💡Visit this link for a huge selection of both online and printable puzzles.
Scenario
Ms. Richards has a high energy 7th grade class. They struggle to focus for more than ten minutes at a time. She notices they're constantly moving in their seats. Her most successful lessons include hands-on activities.
Photo by Foto Sushi on UnsplashQuiz
Which brain break for kids would work best for the kids in Ms. Richard’s class?
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