Play-Doh Brain Break

It seems like everybody loves Play-Doh. 

PLAY-DOH BRAIN BREAK (time 4 minutes)
Have students work with a partner.
1.  The person on the left should come up to the front and get a small Play-Doh can.
2.  Go back to your desk and you have 1 minute (the teacher will announce the time) to make an animal (or some other category like a vegetable, or fruit)
3.  Your partner will only get three guesses for what the animal is.   You don't have to show them what you are doing until the minute is up.

4.  Switch and the person on the right gets to make a different animal.
5.  Use your guesses wisely because you only get three.
Hints are allowed.
6.  The person on the left will close the lid and take the Play-Doh back up to the front of the room.

Wonderful Cat in 1 minute

Nice Alligator

I got this fantastic idea from Kathleen Williams @1kjwilliams and Marissa Early @mearlynnhs who are math teachers at Naperville North High School.  Thanks for sharing.



I bought the 15 pack for $6 at a local store.  I noticed that they are on Amazon for around $10

Pen Flipping Brain Break

Brain Breaks are simple 1-2 minute mind and body challenges.  They are excellent for regaining focus in a meeting or a class.  Your students will love you for them.

This one you will take these steps

1.  Stand Up.

2.  Take a pen and flip it ONE REVOLUTION.  (Imagine a piece of tape on one end of the pen, then throw the pen from the tape side.  Have the pen go one full turn around to get to the tape side again) 

3.  Now do the same thing with your other hand.  

4.  Now get a pen for both hands and try to do both pens at the same time.  

5.  If you really are good at that, then try to throw the pens up into the air and catch them in opposite hands.  This is tough.  

 

Brain Break Therapy

My mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease in 2005.  This video is in dedication to her.  She is doing great in a memory care unit in Kansas City.  As a teacher she loved to have her students active.  This is for her and the many people who don't always get enough brain activity.  I love you mom.

Why are Brain Breaks considered Therapy.  First of all, it helps them to participate in something.  It is the norm now to just watch something like TV or a movie, or people watching, or listening to someone speak.  This activity will help everyone to be involved with whats happening.  Second of all, it helps to keep your mind engaged.  You need to challenge your brain a little bit every once in a while.  Once you challenge it, you feel good!   This is what happens when residents get done with a 30 minute session of Brain Breaks.  Try it out with someone you know who needs a little BRAIN BREAK.  Lastly, it will help your body to do something other than just sit there.  I've seen many residentas who have severe limitations participate with us during these brain breaks.

This video was made at a Nursing Home in Naperville IL.  It helps the residents to get their brain and body ACTIVE.  Yes, that is me David Sladkey leading the Brain Breaks.  I have been working with Nursing Home Residents since 1996.   I teach Math at Naperville Central High School and have a book about Brain Breaks called "Energizing Brain Breaks" which is available at Amazon or other book outlets.  The video is 32 minute with a lot of activities.  If you are a Activities Director at a Nursing home you could certainly use this to help your residents stay active.  If you are a teacher of very young students, you could use some of the ideas in this video in your class.  I hope you enjoy them.  Please let me know how it works for you and your audience.

Here is a list of the activities and times during the video
Ear and Nose (0:30)
Lap Clap (1:30)
Vowels ( 3:00)
Flamingo (5:00)
Numbers ( 6:50)
Dancing (11:15)
Fish and Snake (14:00)
Tap Your Head and Rub Your Tummy (16:50)
YMCA  (19:45)
5 Little Monkey's (22:50)
Let's Go Swimming  (25:00)
Let's Make a Pie  (28:20)

Are you restricted in any way because of physical limitations?  This is the video for you.  This will get you active for 30 minutes.  You will be crossing the mid line and using your brain!  You will have fun at the same time.

Thanks in advance for your feedback on this.
Best,
Dave