Energizing Brain Breaks PowerPoint Edition Giveaway.

With over 10,000 books sold we thought you might be interested in some of the comments we have received about Energizing Brain Breaks.

"Students focus better. Enjoyment of the movement break. They love the challenge of the movements."        Illinois

"Gets kids interested in class again, able to focus longer. Puts a little laughter in the day"    Michigan

"Gets students excited, engaged, motivated"   Maine

"Energizing/wake them up! break during long classes with lots of notes"  Maryland

"Re-engage, reinforce basic math skills, wake-up in the morning"  Illinois

Submit your name and email for a chance to get a free copy of the Energizing Brain Breaks PowerPoint Edition a $14.95 value.  We will be giving away 10 copies on November 30, 2011, randomly to all who enter.  Thanks for your interest in Energizing Brain Breaks! 
SUBMIT YOUR NAME HERE

If you have any questions regarding Energizing Brain Breaks please see our website at http://www.energizingbrainbreaks.com/ 

Here is a short video showing the PowerPoint Edition. 



Energizing Brian Breaks Number Spots Addition

Get your students moving!  They should get up and out of their seats every 25-30 minutes.  If you have seen their eyes growing tired, then GIVE THEM A BRAIN BREAK!  It is easy, fast and effective.  It will only take about 2 minutes of your class time and you will surely make that time up when they are refreshed and ready to go. 

Here it is.
1.  Stand Up and find a partner
2.  Here are the spot values:  right shoulder = 1, right ear = 2, nose = 3, left ear = 4 and left shoulder is 5.
3. Without talking, one person will touch two of their own number spots and the other person will have to say the numbers out oud and then add them together. 
4.  Once one person has done a few problems, the other person can give some problems. 


This brain break is great becasue it forces you to READ your partner's number spots.  You have to think of the spots in THEIR perspective.  I have students who often turn their back so as to "think" of their partners vantage point. 

There are Letter Spots and Number Spots Multiplication as Energizing Brain Breaks.
Check out the Video, it might help you visualize this Brain Break.

Don't forget that we have the new SMARTBoard Edition with Video Links as well as the new PowerPoint Edition with Video Links. Click here to check them out.

 

SMARTBOARD EDITION $14.95

POWERPOINT EDITION $14.95

More Resources at www.energizingbrainbreaks.com

Energizing Brain Breaks E-Editions: PowerPoint and SMARTBoard

Using Brain Breaks in my classes has helped my students to refocus and stay fresh.  I have used them with pre-schoolers to nursing home residents.  It helps to break up the class period by having a change of pace.  Since I use SMARTBoard notebook lessons every day in class, I put a slide that said "BRAIN BREAK" directly into my lessons.  Then I changed to actually taking a screen capture of the pages of the book and putting these into my lessons.  This has helped me to remember the steps of the Brain Break and also for my students to see the steps and follow them on their own.  The beautiful thing about this is that I didn't have to pull up a Brain Break on the fly.  I ALREADY HAD IT IN MY LESSON.  So, I thought that I would share this version with you.  It is called Energizing Brain Breaks SMARTBoard Edition with Video Links.  Yes, it has every one of the 50 activities in it.  They each are on separate slides.  There is a link to a video of the Brain Break right on the slide itself, so you can watch the Brain Break with your class or audience if you like.  The PowerPoint version is almost identical.  If you use PowerPoint Presentation for your teaching, this would be a valuable tool.  You can just copy the Brain Break slide and put it easily into your own Presentation.  Then you can just have the Brain Break planned right in your lesson.
They are downloads.  There is no shipping. 

SMARTBOARD EDITION OVERVIEW VIDEO

POWERPOINT EDITION OVERVIEW VIDEO

More Resources at www.energizingbrainbreaks.com

Exercise Precedes Learning CBS Chicago News Story

Mary Kay Kleist from Channel 2 News Chicago did a story on Naperville Central High School's"Morning Exercise Gets Kids' Brains Fired Up for Class"  It is a great 3 minute story detailing the program that Naperville Central Offers.  When students get their heart rate up before their math and English classes their scores are higher.  The story discusses Moving and Learning.  It also discusses using Brain Breaks in the middle of class.  Check out the short video.   http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2011/08/24/morning-exercise-gets-kids-brains-fired-up-for-class/

Give them a BRAKE ... or is it ...Give them a Break!

Have you ever seen this sign in the road?  GIVE EM A BRAKE.  Every time I see it I think of the fact that we as teachers need to give our students a break.  We teachers often feel like we can't afford to give our students a break.  WE NEED TO GET THROUGH THE MATERIAL.  How many times have you said this?  As a student my brain has never picked up things in long drawn out segments.  My brain picks things up in bursts.  That is why I think it is so important to give our students a break when we are teaching longer segments..  If our activity does not give a break within itself, we should create a break for our students.  It should be a short break.  Probably 1-2 minutes at most.  This creates a refreshing outlook once the break is done.  The break should include standing up and some time of movement and stimulating brain activity.  I have been giving Energizing Brain Breaks in my class for a number of years now.  I believe that it gives students a break in the midst of concentrating intently which will help boost their efficiency.  Not only this, but it will also give them something to look forward to everyday as well as help them to laugh and smile in class.  Have you ever heard the expression "one step back and two steps forward"?  Well, brain breaks are exactly that.  It feels like you are not making progress in your class by giving them a break.  But really, you are helping them to move FORWARD faster, because they are refreshed and energized. 

So you are wondering what exactly is a brain break?  There are many examples in this blog that you can go to.  I will list a few that are fun to see.
Thumb and Pinkie Energizing Brain Break
Elbow to Knee Energizing Brain Break
Hand Shake Number 1 Partner Brain Break

GET THE BOOK

 www.energizingbrainbreaks.com

www.engagedteaching.com

Energizing Brain Breaks 2

Now Energizing Brain Breaks has a second book out.  Of course, it is called Energizing Brain Breaks 2.  The book was written by Scott Miller who is the Instructional Coordinator at Naperville Central High School. There are 50 new activities for you and your students to take part in.  I have used quite a few of the activities with my students and I absolutely love them.  If you are interested in more information about this book please go to the website http://engagedteaching.com
.  I can't wait to hear some feedback on this book. 

If you are looking for information on Energizing Brain Breaks you can go to the website  http://www.energizingbrainbreaks.com

Standardized Tests and Brain Breaks are a GREAT Combination

Its that time of year again. It's standardized testing time. It's the time of year students are to be sitting most of the day without any activity. It is a very stressful time for students. I hope you consider my suggestions for your standardized tests this year. Here are my 4 suggestions that are detailed below:

1. Be active before the test.

2. Eat before the test.

3. Give a Brain Break between segments of the test.

4. Offer manipulatives for your fidgety hand students during the test.

1. In preparation for the standardized test encourage your students to walk around the building before they go to class. Some schools actually have a school wide march around the outside of the school for 15 minutes. If the weather doesn't permit you to do this then have your march inside. Get the blood flowing for the students.

2. Encourage students to eat BEFORE the test. Some schools provide breakfasts for the students. Last year I acquired (through my daughters college Ultimate Frisbee team) a boxful of at least 100 bananas. I thought I would see if any of my students would eat a banana. It was unbelievable. In one class there was 80% of the class that took a banana. I asked them right away how many of them had any breakfast that morning and almost 50% said they had nothing to eat yet. Encourage your students to eat. I'm sure the administration could provide some funds for a banana or apple to each student on standardized test days.

3. Give students a BRAIN BREAK after segments of the test. Brain Breaks are short 1-2 minute brain and body challenges that help student to refocus. They get students up out of their seats and crossing the mid-line of their bodies and gets the blood flowing. If you would like more information on Brain Breaks go to www.energizingbrainbreaks.com . Here are two easy ones to use between segments of your standardized test.

ELBOW TO KNEE ENERGIZING BRAIN BREAK VIDEO AND EXPLANATION
CHOIR DIRECTOR (LAZY 8) ENERGIZING BRAIN BREAK VIDEO AND EXPLANATION

GET THE BOOK! There are 50 activities all ready to go for you. Each book costs $14.95 plus shipping. Go to http://www.energizingbrainbreaks.com/ for more information.

.

4. Give your students the opportunity to do something while they take the test. Fidgety students love to keep themselves moving. We can relieve this tension for them by giving them something to work with in their hands while they take the test at their seat. Here are some examples.
a. Pipe Cleaners (Get them at the dollar store)
b. Koosh or Nerf ball
c. Rubber hand strengtheners.
d. Kneadable eraser.
e. Silly Putty
f. Paper Clip.
g. Rubber bands

GIVE THESE A TRY AND LET ME KNOW HOW IT GOES!

All the best,

Dave

Energizing Brain Breaks in Spanish....Descanso Cerebral Energizante

Energizing Brain Breaks in Spanish

Descanso Cerebral Energizante

Get your copy today! Go to www.energizingbrainbreaks.com


Saltos de cerebro son actividades rápidas de 1-2 minutos que le ayudarán a volver a estar reorientados y re-energizados. Es como pulsar el botón de actualización muy propio. Cada una de las 50 actividades pondrá a prueba tu cerebro mientras que al mismo tiempo consigue usted mover su cuerpo. Esta combinación le refrescará. El Descanso Cerebral Energizante puede utilizarse en casa, en la Oficina, en un aula o mientras viaja. Se puede utilizar en casi cualquier tipo de grupo. Por ejemplo, un profesor podría dar un recreo de cerebro a su clase para la transición de una actividad a otra. También se puede utilizar para cualquier persona haciendo una presentación para ayudar a su audiencia a permanecer fresco con su tema. Usted puede tomar un recreo de cerebro en la Oficina para mejorar su nivel de productividad. Hay 25 recreos de cerebro que puede hacerse de forma individual. Hay 18 Recreos de Cerebro en parejas que se realizan con otra persona. Incluyen actividades competitivas y no competitivas. Hay 7 Recreos de Cerebro para actividades de grupos que trabajan en la construcción de equipo y requieren un número de personas a participar.

Giving Away 1000 Energizing Brain Break Books

1000....1000....1000...1000...1000...1000...1000...1000
GONE! All 1000 have been given away. Please do not send any more applications. We will have to turn you away. Thanks for your participation in this.

1000 BOOKS TO GIVE AWAY We are going to give 1000 books away to needy schools. Schools that have a free or reduced lunch program of 40% or more qualify to get the books. See below for more details. 25% of the profits of Energizing Brain Breaks Book are going to underprivileged schools. We have given over 1000 books away to schools all over the United States. We need to give another 1000 away. We will give 25 books (a $375 value) to each school that meets the criteria given below. There will be no shipping and no cost involved. All you will need to do is click here to get the form to fill out and send in.

WHAT ARE ENERGIZING BRAIN BREAKS? Energizing Brain Breaks are quick 1-2 minute activities for your classroom.. They take virtually no preparation and no extra materials to perform. Students of all ages love them. Why do they love them? Because they are fun and make you laugh. They also challenge your brain. Energizing Brain Breaks help you to cross the mid-line of your body which helps both sides of your brain engage. It is suggested to use an Energizing Brain Break every 30 minutes with your class. They are terrific during exams and standardized tests. Just give an Energizing Brain Break between sections of tests or even right in the middle of the test. The Energizing Brain Breaks book is laminated; spiral bound, and has 50 activities on card stock paper. The ISBN number is 978-0-578-05058-4 and is a $14.95 value. There is more information about the book at www.energizingbrainbreaks.com

DOES YOUR SCHOOL QUALIFY?

1. Your school needs to have 40% or more of your students involved in the free or reduced lunch program.

2. Your school needs a teacher (not an administrator) to be in charge of the distribution of the books.

3. Your principal (or vice-principal) needs to understand and support the idea.

ALL 1000 have been given away. There are no more books to give.