Student Contributor: S.Wilson
This Roll a Brain Break Activity gives you a range of activities for students to engage in to get their bodies moving and their brains re-engaged. You roll a 6-sided die and whatever number it lands on students have to correlate that number to the brain break with a similar number.
This tool is perfect when you or your students need a break from a lesson or lecture. When you or they get tired, antsy, or distracted, pull this activity out and give each other a break for a few minutes. All you have to do is t, roll the die, and complete the corresponding brain break activity. All activities can be picked by you, students, or both. This way students can be up and moving for a little bit to prevent boredom and to get them back on track with focusing. The purpose of brain breaks is movement so I suggest having students move for the brain breaks selected. Also, when selecting brain breaks try to keep them to a minimum of five or 6 and switch them out every couple of weeks.
The Roll a Brain Break tool falls under the supportive phase but also can work in the corrective phase. I would put this under the supportive phase because it gives students choice and freedom. I could also see this in the corrective phase because it could correct student behavior if they are off task. This tool is in the student/collaborative theory. This tool can have the brain breaks chosen by the students and the teacher. This can be used to work on class collaboration.
More Information –
Tool Source: Teacherspayteachers
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Brain-Break-Activity-Roll-a-Gross-Motor-Movement-2852308?st=f52d34a5608233dd105830797ca9685f
I am in a kindergarten classroom of 16 students in a suburban area. This tool was easy to prepare and customizable to fit the needs of my students. I have a few students this year who have been really needing breaks and this has been a great addition to the classroom. In kindergarten, we already do so many movement/wiggle breaks as a class, but I thought it would benefit a few of my students who may need more wiggle breaks than others. When students are extra wiggly on the carpet, I ask them if their body needs a break or they are able to tell me that they need a break on their own. Students understand that this was made for when they need help calming down their bodies so they can be engaged, and that it’s not a fun game they just get to do whenever. I feel like the only thing I would suggest to make it better is having different sheets that you rotate through as the teacher every week or month depending on how often it’s being used. I think it’s always good to have variety so you can see what fits your students the best.