Energizing Brain Breaks

The fastest way to keep your students engaged It′s an all too familiar sight: that glazed look in your students′ eyes. They′ve been sitting or listening for too long. What they need is an Energizing Brain Break—a quick physical and mental challenge that′s like hitting the refresh button on your computer, but for your students. This practical full-color flip book contains 50 highly effective, classroom-tested brain breaks that you can put to immediate use across the grades. No preparation or supplies are required; just one to two minutes of your time when you see a need. You′ll find pictures, directions, and online videos for activities such as: Slap Count Letters: students alternate slapping each other′s hands while spelling a word Rock, Paper, Scissors, Math: partners reveal a certain number of fingers to each other, and the first person to add them together wins Bizz-Buzz: groups of students count from 1 to 40 using a combination of numbers and words There′s no better way to help students remain sharp and alert, reenergized to take on the next task of learning!

Table of Contents:
Part I. Individual Brain Breaks Arm Stretch Arm Wrap Choir Director Different Direction Circles Index Fingers Different Direction Circles Thumbs Ear and Nose Switch Elbow to Knee Stretch Elbow to Knee Tap Patterns Figure Eights Finger Aerobics Patterns Finger Aerobics Ripple Finger Tips I Bet You Can’t Do This Inch Worm Stretch Lap Tap Palm Tapping Paper Twirling Pretzel Outline Index Fingers Pretzel Stretch Fists Right On Left Balance T Stretch Thumb and Pinkie Touch Your Fingers Behind Your Back Twisted X Bob and Wiggle Part II. Partner Brain Breaks Bizz Buzz Five Hand Shake #1 Hand Shake #2 Hook Ups Letter Spots Number Spots Addition Number Spots Multiplication Rock, Paper, Scissors, Math Addition Rock, Paper, Scissors, Math Multiplication Rock, Paper, Scissors, Math Negative Say 21 and Win Slap Count and Say 21 and Win Slap Count Letters Slap Count Numbers Going Down Slap Count Numbers Going Up Ten Thumb War or Peace Part III. Group Brain Breaks Gotcha Let it Rain Passing out Papers Snowball Wave Clapping Patterns Wave Motion X’s and O’s

About the Author :
David Sladkey has been teaching high school mathematics for 37 years. He was named Teacher of the Year for Naperville School District 203 in 2007 and the Office Max Innovative Teacher of the Month in March of 2009. David was the Illinois 2019 awardee of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching (PAEMST). David loves to get his students moving and participating actively in their learning. He appreciates technology that impacts curriculum and is easy to implement. DaviD uses a SMART Board in his classes every day and is the mathematics department technology specialist. He has coauthored a book, Easy SMART Board Teaching Templates, with Scott Miller and is the author of Energizing Brain Breaks, a Corwin bestseller, and Engaging Teaching Tools. David is passionate about his teaching and reflects this journey in his blog, “Reflections of a High School Math Teacher” (teachinghighschoolmath.blogspot.com). David is also an avid cyclist and loves spending time with his wife and three children.    

Review :
"We use Energizing Brain Breaks in our teacher workshops so they will use them with their students. They enjoy the break and activity as much as their students do!" "This book is AWESOME!!! I feel that every teacher should have one in their classroom. Not only does it give the students a quick break, but they get excited about them. It also has so many choices: whole group, individual, partner, and small group. No matter the age, any student can perform most breaks." "Energizing Brain Breaks is an excellent resource for quick, simple, and challenging activities that students can do to activate their brain for more optimal learning. Many of the activities were developed by students, for students and really engage the adolescent brain. This is the resource that teachers need to get their students moving in learning." “Energizing Brain Breaks is a great teaching tool. I use it daily with my kids. They LOVE the short activities and get so excited. One of their favorites is ′Gotcha.′" “Physical movement and academic learning should not be separated. Research shows that physical movement and exercise are beneficial for the brain and learning. Dave Sladkey regularly incorporates movement in his high school math lessons, which helps to make his classroom a vibrant learning atmosphere. I strongly encourage every classroom teacher to use this book as a resource to transform your classroom into a place where students are alert and ready to learn at their full potential!” “Dave′s book is a terrific way to refocus and energize your students in the classroom. I have used his brain breaks in all kinds of settings and every time people smile, laugh, and have fun. This is a must have in any teacher′s classroom and in any administrator′s meeting!” "I have witnessed the effect of brain breaks in the classroom. After a simple minute or two, students become re-energized and re-engaged in the learning process. Thank you Dave Sladkey for creating a book that simplifies the process of selecting them and understanding them.” "I have successfully used Brain Breaks with my school staff and these strategies also have the potential to enhance students’ learning by breaking the lesson into bite-sized chunks, and then turbo-charging the next part of the lesson. On reflection, this important strategy is rarely taught to preservice teachers and it is an area of teaching that can imperil not only the efficacy of the lesson but the teachers’ status in their classrooms."