We have our state testing this week. It doesn't sound as high-stakes as many of the tests that some of your students are taking, but the data is still used to report on the district and look at individual progress.
A while back, I was introduced to {GoNoodle.com}. You may have seen others blogging about it. GoNoodle is a website with free brain breaks that my students really enjoy.
First, you pick a Champ.
From there, you get to choose a variety of brain breaks, ranging from calming, breathing exercises to Zumba workouts. I will mention here that if your building blocks YouTube, you won't be able to use all of the breaks at school, but there are enough other activities to keep your kids moving and engaged.
Your Champ is pretty hilarious...
The more activities you do, the more your Champ grows. When you have maxed out one Champ, you get to pick a new one.
Any need that you could possibly have is covered by one of the brain breaks. Feel like a sing-along? Watch the drama as they sing with "Let It Go", complete with lyrics and a bouncing snowflake! (I think that my own kids have maxed out the Champ with the video alone! See {yesterday's post} about the Elsa capes...)
I feel that GoNoodle does an awesome job of finding brain breaks that are fun for students and focus on topics that are currently popular. Here is another favorite. Gotta love those minions!!
When you have found some that you like, mark them as your favorite so you can easily find them again.
I know that my students really appreciated these brain breaks. They would also be great options during spring when you need to have an indoor recess because it's raining. And this site is 100% free. Click {here} to go sign up for a free account. There is a Common Core-aligned upgrade, but the free version does offer so much!
Let me know which activities are your favorite!
I started using GoNoodle with my groups last week! They are so excited to do yoga and stretching in class. I wish I was able to get some of the CCSS activities, but for now we're ok with dancing and jumping hurdles.
ReplyDelete-Maria
I just checked out GoNoodle, and I love it. I am a huge fan of brain breaks, and I am always looking for new ways to implement them. Thank you so much for sharing this!
ReplyDeleteMary
Fit to be Fourth
We just started using GoNoodle this week too! We are loving it!!
ReplyDeleteRachel
A Tall Drink of Water
I'm going to check this out. We for sure need brain breaks with testing soon! Thanks for sharing! I also like the Sid Shuffle on Youtube. :) Hilarious!
ReplyDeleteMandy
The 4th Grade Journey
Not to mention, GoNoodle can also still be educational! We've been doing the Word Jams where we learn new vocabulary words and each word is tied to an action. We race through the levels, and my students are actually retaining the meaning of the new words the following week instantly! They love how the actions switch up and that each Word Jams is 3+ minutes which makes our lil' guy grow faster!
ReplyDeleteKelli
Tales of a Teacher
Awesome!! I just signed up and can't wait to try it out with my students tomorrow. It sounds like just what we need!
ReplyDeleteI will DEFINITELY be checking this out for brain breaks when we complete testing each day. As long as I don't get in trouble with my podmates for being too loud! Lol!
ReplyDeleteAlison
Rockin' and Lovin' Learnin'
Haha! This is SO cool! I will be coming back here for links to use as we head in to the last stretch of the year. Brain breaks are ALWAYS welcome! :)
ReplyDelete~Holly
Fourth Grade Flipper
I didn't know they had "Let it Go!" Awesome!
ReplyDeleteMy boyfriend's mom told me about this website the other day...she teaches first grade. I can't wait to put it to use with my fourth graders!
ReplyDeleteJen