Who needs a brain break?

Brain Breaks are a useful tool for students to use to help activate, energize and stimulate their brains. Research indicates that brain breaks help students relieve stress.  Exercise boosts brain power.  Cardio activity increases oxygen-rich blood flow to the brain and increases students’ ability to concentrate.  What does this look like in the classroom?  Go Noodle helps answer that question. When I was a 4th grade teacher, this quickly became a favorite in my classroom. I must admit - I loved it, too! I appreciated the fact that the videos were safe, and I didn't need to worry about my students seeing something they shouldn't. What a relief! If it happened to be a student's birthday, that student picked our videos! It was difficult to stop at just one, too! We love Go Noodle!

Go Noodle is an online tool that is filled with safe videos that help students find their focus, by stretching, moving, and breathing.  Videos range from 2 minutes to 5 minutes, giving teachers lots of flexibility in planning.  

Getting started is quick, easy, and free!  You begin with your information:

Next, it’s time to name your class:

After naming your class, it will be time for your students’ favorite part: it’s time to pick your CHAMP!  You can change your Champ at any time.  As your class accumulates minutes from videos, your Champ’s muscles will grow; students love that!

Before each video, you will see your Champ, along with a fun fact:

It is helpful to review the videos before trying them with students.  There are some videos that are more appropriate for older students, such as “Cha Cha Slide,” while others may be best suited for primary students, including “Don’t Give Up,” with Bruno Mars and The Muppets.

It won’t be long before students pick out their favorites, such as “Let it Go,” “Everything is Awesome,” or “The Continental Drift,” all from recent popular movies.  

Think about times throughout the day when students are asked to sit for long periods of time; these are great opportunities to try Go Noodle.

Go Noodle has a YouTube Channel.  This is a great tool to use to view some of the videos. All the videos are included on their website.

Go Noodle has a Facebook page that has helpful suggestions and this page is used to announce new videos.

The Go Noodle Blog is a very helpful resource, filled with recommended strategies for the videos.

Have questions or suggestions on how to improve this tool?  Follow Go Noodle on Twitter. They add new videos and resources quite often, and they rely on teachers’ feedback for improvement.

Reflect on your daily schedule.  When would be a good time to get students up and get them moving?  

Is there a test coming up in which the breathing and stretching exercises could benefit your students?  Give Go Noodle a try.  Get that cardio going!