Refocus and Recharge! 50 Brain Breaks for Middle Schoolers


Book Description

These quick, easy-to-learn activities give students much-needed mental and physical breaks, plus safe, structured ways to interact with peers. As a result, students are refocused and recharged and can more fully engage with the content you teach. Some brain breaks, like "In the Bag," are calming and reduce stress; others, like "Twisted Brain," energize bodies and minds. And you can use brain breaks anywhere, anytime! This handy book includes: Clear, easy-to-follow instructionsTips for successSample words and actionsSuggested variationsReproducible handouts




Energizing Brain Breaks


Book Description

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!




Brain Breaks for the Classroom


Book Description

40 fun exercises help students take a quick break and return to their work refreshed. Includes a full-color poster in a convenient 8-1/2" x 11" printable size!




Energizers! 88 Quick Movement Activities That Refresh and Refocus, K-6


Book Description

To learn well, children need to move! A few minutes of playful moving, laughing, chanting, or singing promote more—and more productive—learning. The energizers in this book are easy to teach and learn. You can use them: Anywhere: Inside or outside the classroom, with children circled up, at their desks or tables, or waiting in line energizers work everywhere! Anytime: Between long instructional blocks, as Morning Meeting activities, when children need to calm down, and when they need to perk up energizers work throughout the school day! With any grade level, K-6: For quick selection, the energizers in this book are labeled by grade level but we've included variations and suggestions to help you adapt them to fit your group.




The Power of Our Words for Middle School


Book Description

When the language we use with our students is positive, clear, and purposeful, our classrooms are transformed. This practical book focuses on five types of positive teacher language: Envisioning languageReinforcing languageReminding languageRedirecting languageOpen-ended questions Book features: Guidelines for using each type of languagePractical tips to strengthen your use of languageNumerous examples to use as modelsCharts to help you track your progress




More Energizing Brain Breaks


Book Description

Keep your students focused and engaged Do your students’ eyes glaze over when they have been sitting or listening for too long? Do your colleagues yawn during meetings? The remedy for these scenarios is to use brain breaks—quick physical and mental activities that are perfect for transitions and help learners re-focus and refresh. Proven by research to aid in cognition and retention, brain breaks are great for all ages, including adults. Teachers love David Sladkey’s bestselling Energizing Brain Breaks. In More Energizing Brain Breaks, Scott Miller provides new activities that challenge the mind and get the body moving. With an easy-to-use flipbook format, this resource features: 50 new quick activities from which to pick and choose Plenty of variety, including individual, partner, and group activities Activities suitable for all grade levels, as well as college and adult professional learning There is no better way than a brain break to help students remain alert, energized, and ready to take on the task of learning!




Doing Math in Morning Meeting


Book Description

Bring joy and energy to math learning without adding to your already-packed schedule! Here are 150 fun and engaging math activities suitable for kindergartners to 5th graders, with math-themed ideas for all four Morning Meeting components: greeting, group activity, sharing, and morning message. Use these games, songs, chants, hands-on experiments, and more to inspire students' interest in math and help them practice skills. Each activity includes easy how-to steps; relevant NCTM content and process standards; specific math skills addressed; materials needed (all require few or no materials); tips on preparing students for success; math vocabulary to emphasize; and variations and extensions.




Middle School Motivators!


Book Description

These tried-and-true learning structures encourage all students to do their best learning, stay fully engaged, and work with one another in dynamic, purposeful, and respectful ways. Discover new ways to meet the developmental needs that young adolescents have for movement and socializing while helping them meet lesson objectives in any content area. Samples of learning structures include: Consensus Mapping: Small groups of students work together to identify and reach agreement on the main ideasDebate Duos: Pairs of students learn to respectfully debate both sides of an issue and consider multiple perspectivesJigsaws: Small groups of students explore content in greater depth and then share their new knowledge with others Book features: Step-by-step instructions for every structureBrief descriptions of each structure in actionExamples of learning goals for each structureVariations and reproducible handouts for many structuresA quick guide so you can easily find the right structure for your lesson




The Responsive Advisory Meeting Book


Book Description

Transform Advisory into Responsive Advisory Meeting with structured, purpose-driven plans to build relationships, develop communication and social skills, and support and extend academics.Developed from research with middle school students and teachers in rural, suburban, and urban public middle schools, each plan is designed to meet students' needs for belonging, significance, and fun while helping them build skills and explore their interests.




101 Brain Breaks and Brain Based Educational Activities


Book Description

This book provides 101 easy to use activities, designed to help you reach any student, despite what part of the brain they are operating from. This book provides activities that can help calm, focus, or energize your students!