Time for a Brain Break-Let's GoNoodle!

Twitter can connect you with so many great educators and products that give you ideas for supporting instructional within the classroom. While great instruction is important, we still have to take some small brain breaks throughout the day.  Let me introduce you to GoNoodle!  

GoNoodle is a free online resource for brain breaks throughout the day and each video is less than five minutes.  There's no prep and all you need is a computer, internet, projector, and a wall to project on in your classroom.  There are activities to get them stretching to start their day, energize in the afternoon, or breathing activities to use before a big test.  The CDC recommends 60 minutes of physical activity a day and GoNoodle can help with this, especially when being stuck inside with cold weather and snow.

It not only provides students with great physical activities, but incorporates gaming into it as well.  Students choose a classroom Champ to help grow.  The more GoNoodle activities they do and the more time they earn, they help their Champ to grow.  Students go wild as their Champ goes through each of those stages. 

I have been using GoNoodle for about two weeks now and my kids are always asking to do more activities.  What student love is they have the opportunities to do some awesome activities, such as Zumba dances, track and field events, among many others.  I like it as an educator because it allows my students to take a short break and then be ready for the next part of our day.  

For teachers that might have students off task at times, tired, or those that might have some behavior issues, try GoNoodle.  I have seen a huge change in my students whenever I tell them that if they are working hard during literacy stations or during independent writing time, we will earn more GoNoodle time.   It is even great when transitioning between activities.  

Let me tell you about some of the activities that you can do with your kids that are very highly recommended by my students.  

• Airtime-A perfect way to "blow" away anxiety before a test.  This activity teaches students proper breathing techniques and incorporates it into a game.  Students sit in their chair breathing deeply and blow a bubble through the air to another state.  Once they reach that state, they learning interesting facts.
• To the Maximo-A perfect way to have students do some yoga stretches throughout the day. Students listen to "go on a journey of peace, focus, and stretchiness." 
• Boogie Down -This teaches students various dance moves.  Prepare for an unforgettable voice. My students love when I do this impersonation.  
• Zumba Kids-GoNoodle brings the  Zumba dance moves that adults love but uses age-appropriate songs and kids to get your kids focused and moving.
• Run With Us-(Mr. Mosbey class favorite) This is a collaboration between the USA Track and Field Foundation and GoNoodle to allow students to learn from Olympians to train for different track and field events.  Students can do sprints, hurdles, hammer throw, javelin, and so many others.  These are some of my students' favorites and I love how focused they are throughout the whole video. 
• YouTube videos-GoNoodle searched through the millions of YouTube videos to bring you ones that help get your kids moving, focused, and engaged during Brain Break activity time.
  

Make sure you check out and sign up for GoNoodle at GoNoodle.com.  It's a free resource for you and the benefits to using it are endless.  Comment or tweet me (@mitchmosbey) to let me know how effective it is in your classroom.  

Gotta go because it's time to GoNoodle!

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