9 Brain Breaks Teens Will Love

Students are still learning, even during brief breaks, which serve to help them decompress, refocus, and process new information.
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In middle and high school, incorporating mood-boosting, brain-stimulating attention breaks into lessons can head off student inattention, boredom, and fatigue at the pass.
To find many more brain breaks designed especially for older students, read Edutopia Associate Editor Paige Tutt’s article “17 Brain Breaks Tailored for High Schoolers”: edut.to/475YD9q
To learn more about the neuroscience behind brain breaks, see Dr. Judy Willis’ article “Using Brain Breaks to Restore Students’ Focus”: edut.to/40yUg4n
Here's Ethan R. Buch, Leonardo Claudino, Romain Quentin, Marlene Bönstrup, and Leonardo G. Cohen’s 2021 research on how rest intervals strengthen the consolidation of skills: www.sciencedir...
Visit this video's page on Edutopia.org to find out more about each of the breaks shown in the video: edut.to/3MCbacr
For more strategies on brain-based learning, visit: edut.to/3SzjrSk
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[@dylanharvey4769]

My favorite is the image of unrelated phenomena. I would, of course, ask them, once they know what it is, to relate it to content any way possible.

[@ShelbySwanson-j8b]

Hi teachers, I am studying to become an elementary school teacher and I wanted to ask how you decide when to offer movement breaks to your students? How do you decide if it will be helpful or make the kids more crazy? I would love to hear any thoughts or stories! Thank you!

[@willortlinghaus6726]

As you get to know your class, you can sense changes in energy levels and attention. These changes can be great opportunities to add in brain breaks!

[@flyfish29]

I have two categories of breaks I give my primary students. One is a movement break to get out their excess energy or to focus their energy. For example, we have snack in the gym and afterwards I sometimes get out an energetic activity like the scooters and sometimes just calmer things like stacking cups. If the class already has too high energy, then I do a focusing movement break. If I do ann energetic break, I always choose something to focus them afterwards like heal to toe walking or follow the leader for a minute to calm their bodies. This way, they don’t come back to my classroom ramped up.
I also have brain breaks. I usually choose these when I think their energy and focus is already where I’d like it. These are thinking breaks like watching a short science video, reading a set of riddles, or some sort of short challenge. It gives them a different way to engage their brain.

[@ItsAuntieKaren]

How many minutes would be alloted to this activity? I really love the idea of Brain Breaks but with a packed curriculum and a rush against time, how often could this be done practically without taking needed minutes away? It's a challenge but how short or long should this Break activity be to benefit students?

[@laurabradley5678]

The video suggests a 3-5 minute break for every half hour of instruction. It's hard to give up that time, but I have found that if I do make time for a quick break, I get better focus from my students after. Maybe try one 3-5 minute break in your class period and see how it goes?