TRANSITION TIPS & BRAIN BREAK IDEAS TO INCREASE ENGAGEMENT

We all know that lengthy periods with immobile kiddos spells trouble in the classroom - decreased engagement, behavior problems, heads on desks, and countless other undesirable outcomes.  Well, with the wet weather coming and the standards kicking into high gear, here are a few movement/transition ideas that just may be the ticket for you and your crew.

STANDARDS-BASED PE GAMES
We all have standards to cover . . . why not mix it up with a little movement while you are at it?  This one is pretty easy to implement if you think outside of the box just a bit. 

Here's my backstory on this one. At my old school, I had to teach my own PE period . . . and I REALLY DISLIKE TO TEACH PE.  I know.  I know.  Such strong language.  I am sorry, but I have to be honest here.  PE and I just don't get along.  I always feel like I should be pushing through another lesson. I know that kids need to get out, but this block just ain't for me.  Physical Education is so important, but it is getting harder and harder to get through all of the core curriculum. Well, a few years ago, I realized that you could easily combine the two.  You can still teach standards and work in PE at the same time. Whoa . . . what??!!!  Yep. You can turn just about any concept into an organized team game via relay races.  Not only do these activities get the kids out and cover the PE time, but they also promote teamwork and put smiles on our students' faces.  

Begin by picking a concept you want to target . . . math facts, complete sentences, vowel teams, alphabet, vocab, etc.  Now, all you need is some kind of labeled manipulative.  (By labeled I mean that you mark them with words, facts, sentences, etc.)  You can use laminated cards, foam pieces, bean bags, tennis balls . . . anything the kids can collect.  Next, create a course (simply place the item to be collected at the end of a large grassy patch).  You may choose to add cones and other obstacles to the course. Finally, place your kids into relay teams (I like about 5 kids per group) and line them up on an "end line" before your course.  On your signal, the first kid on each team will run the course and grab an item.  Depending on the desired outcome, you can have them run back and simply read the word, define the word, solve the math equation, etc.  You may also choose to have them sort the item collected (greater than 10/less than 10, CVC or CVCe words, odd/even, complete sentence/incomplete sentence - make sense?)  This one is hard to put into words, so let me show you a few examples from over the years . . . 

PLACE VALUE PE
Hula Hoops held a digit card.
The related place value cards were face down at mid-course.
The kids ran the course, snagged a card, and sorted it into the correct hula hoop.
A great way to break up the LONG math block.

MATH FACT RELAY RACES
The kids collected a ball at the end of the course.
On the way back to their line, they calculated the sum or difference.
Before the next teammate could jet, they screamed out the correct answer :)

SENTENCE RELAY RACES
The kids collected a card and read the sentence to me.
They determined if it was complete or incomplete and returned to their line.
The next student in line repeated the steps.

TEACH KINDER?
No problem . . . this can work for you too.
Start with MOB RACES - line everyone up on the end line (no teams to start).
Have them collect an item and bring it back - you just need more items for this version.
This photo shows an upper vs. lower case collection activity.

GOT RAIN?
No problem . . . just set up an obstacle course inside.
This gal was zig-zaggin' her way through Short I words.
Engagement was through the roof and my kinders loved taking their shoes off!

The possibilities are endless with this one.  They absolutely love getting out and they don't even know that they are learning . . . can you say teacher WIN??!!

**A quick disclaimer here . . . there is still a place for awesome PE games such as kickball and number soccer, but relay races with embedded standards can easily fit into the PE rotation.  

MUSICAL TRANSITIONS

I am all about using music in the classroom to help further understanding and break up lessons.  There are oodles of resources out there and, in my opinion, you just have to make time for it.  In addition to concept-based songs (that’s a post for another day), I love movement songs.  Ron Brown’s Intelli-Tunes has the most engaging tunes that help get those wiggles out.  I have actually partnered up with this awesome guy to offer some great new song packets.  I’m not talking about songs that you have to sing to your kids.  These sets include professionally recorded MP3s with embedded movement ideas.  All you have to do is push play to start your next brain break! 

I’ll spill the beans a little here.  Ron is my dad.  He is the music man in my eyes.  When I taught K for one VERY long year, I begged him to create me some tunes to help me keep a handle on those little guys.  He did just that for me.  These tunes proved to be life saving YEAR AFTER YEAR.  I still use them in first grade and the kids eat them up. 

BEAN BAGS

This may sound stupid, but I pull these out in a pinch on more than occasion each year.  I keep them in an easy to access location and quickly break them out when need be.  I run this one of two ways . . . teacher directions given on the fly (bounce it on your head, toss it from hand to hand, tap it on your toes, etc.) or mirroring the helper of the day.  Both are quick and easy and the kids dig getting to play with these for a bit.  There is just something special about those little bags of beans :)

KOO KOO, MR. CAT, AND FRIENDS
Most of us have heard of GoNoodle by now.  For those of you who signed up last year and didn’t get around to using it, put this in your teaching arsenal.  It is a must have teaching tool and the kids will beg to play. And lets face it . . . I’ll be able to get some cardio in too (it's a good thing since the gym hasn't seen my face since August).  GoNoodle is one of my favorite classroom resources and they are always updating the site.  The best thing is that it is FREE!!!! 

Body Spelling . . . um, yes please!

Those Koo Koo guys had as at hello.
We love Cat Party!

JANE FONDA IT

Okay, so we all have those moments when we need to liven things up or eliminate wiggles without ANY sort of prep.  Here’s an easy solution  . . . JANE FONDA IT.  (Yes, I am dating myself with that title, but the concept works.)  All you need for this one is to be able to think on your feet.  Have your kids stand and do some workout moves attached to standards.  For example, lead your kiddos in some jumping jacks while skip counting by 5s.  You could do some squats while saying the months of the year.  Um . . . have your babes do some yoga moves while reciting the facts to ten.  The possibilities are endless and you don’t have to prepare anything! 

No, I haven't been drinking.  I am just a dork.
I use this picture in various presentations when I talk about this stuff.
It seemed fitting as a dippy "close" today.

Well, there you have it.  A handful of ideas on using brain breaks to create seamless transitions and boost student engagement.  If you have any other ideas, please feel free to comment below . . . I’d love to hear 'em. Thanks so much for visiting me today.  I’ll be back again soon.