Let it RAIN Brain Break

Let it Rain is a fun activity for the whole class. Everyone works together and the sound is amazing.

1. Stand up.

2. The conductor will model the class through the rain process.

3. Here is the progression that the conductor will take.
Stage 1: soft circular hand rubbing
Stage 2: vigorous back and forth hand rubbing
Stage 3: finger snapping
Stage 4: thigh tapping
Stage 5: foot stomping

4. The class will follow the lead of the conductor. The conductor will take about 5-7 seconds with each stage.

5. The rain will get louder and louder getting to the last stage in which the conductor will lead the 3 separate thunder jumps. Then reverse the stages and the rain will get softer and softer.

Here is a YouTube Video that performs the RAIN very well. ENJOY. Try to watch the first 1.5 minutes.

Snowball

Have your students take a Brain Break every 25 minutes in class. It helps to refocus students on their work.
Have the students take out a sheet of paper and write their name on the front of the paper. Then they should write out a problem that they have been working on. (You could also have them write 3 things they have learned during this past class period) Then on the back of the paper, they should solve the problem. Then they should crumple the paper up like a snowball. Everyone should stand up and have a good old fashion snowball fight with the papers. Aiming at the head is not allowed. After they have thrown at least 3 times, they should pick up a snowball and start doing the problem on the paper. Once they have tried the problem, they can look to see if they have the same answer as the author. Everyone should connect with the author and tell them if they got the problem or not. See video.
I have found that when talking about a particular topic, I can say to my students, remember this was the paper snowball problem. I think it is another type of memory device.
Happy Brain Breaks,
Dave

The Wave Brain Break

This activity is just what you think it is. It is creating a wave of some sort through your class.
Designate a person to be the leader.
Have a student stand up and take both hands from one side of their body, over their head to the other side of their body to create the "Wave".
This is one part of the wave. Each student will continue to do this until all have "Waved"
The leader must make sure everyone knows the order.
The leader should start the "Wave" as well as direct it.
Tell the class that they will need to work together to pass your (the teacher's) satisfaction.

It works on all the elements that we like in a Brain Break:
Crossing the mid-line, standing up, teamwork, and of course movement.


Happy Brain Breaks!