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Safe Key

BRAIN INTERVALS

Utilizing novelty and fun these short exercises allow areas of the brain to go into "default mode" where it can process new information that has just been learned.

Backpacker

THE JUNK BAG

Using your purse or book bag pull out a random object.  Then challenge students  to come up with 1 to 2 ways this object could be reinvented.  Students can write, draw, or discuss their inventions.  Once students have come up with an invention ask some to share with the class and/or group (1, see references below).

CROSSING THE MIDLINE: WAVY ARMS

  1. Make a wave motion with right arm going up and down (vertically)

  2. Pause

  3. Make the same wave motion with left arm but go side to side (horizontally)

  4. Pause

  5. Try with both arms at the same time (right must continue up and down and left side to side) (2)

Dark Waves
Tap Dance Class

WORKING MEMORY: WIGGLES

  • Slowly adding on wiggles then slowly reducing wiggles - one side of the body at a time

  • Increasing sequence: toes legs, arms, fingers, neck

  • Decreasing sequence: neck, fingers, arm, legs, toes (3)

OK/PEACE SIGN SWITCH-UP

Make an ok sign with one hand and the peace sign with the other, then alternate switching hand to hand as quickly as possible (4)

Little Hand
Dancers Feet

CROSSING THE MIDLINE: PARTNERED FOOT TAPPING

Standing face to face tap inside of feet (start w/right) once, then using the opposite feet tap three times, then switch and tap two times.  Repeat the sequence (1-3-2) as quickly as you can. (5)

CROSSING THE MIDLINE: SWINGING LEGS & ARMS

Cross right leg over left leg 3 times while swinging left arm across body 3 times, then switch sides (5)

Successful Girl
Numbers Game

BODY MATH

  • Parts of the body symbolize numbers (i.e. left shoulder =1, left ear =2, nose =3, right ear =4, right shoulder =5).

  • Using these “signs” give your partner a math equation & vice versa. (6)

DRAWING BLIND

  • Person A – get a piece of paper and writing tool, put your head down/eyes closed

  • Person B – verbally instruct Person A to draw an object/thing (ex. A house & a garden). (7)

Girl with Drawing

REFERENCES

  1. Desautels, L. (2016, September 16).  Energy and calm: Brain breaks and focused attention practices. Retrieved from https://www.edutopia.org/blog/brain-breaks-focused-attention-practices-lori-desautels.

  2. Desautels, L. (2017, August 29) Brain & Adversity - Class Lecture. Personal Collection of L. Desautels, Butler University, Indianapolis, IN.

  3. Desautels, L. (2017, September 5) Brain & Adversity - Class Lecture. Personal Collection of L. Desautels, Butler University, Indianapolis, IN.

  4. Desautels, L. (2017, September 19) Brain & Adversity - Class Lecture. Personal Collection of L. Desautels, Butler University, Indianapolis, IN.

  5. Desautels, L. (2017, September 26) Brain & Adversity - Class Lecture. Personal Collection of L. Desautels, Butler University, Indianapolis, IN.

  6. Desautels, L. (2017, October 3) Brain & Adversity - Class Lecture. Personal Collection of L. Desautels, Butler University, Indianapolis, IN.

  7. Desautels, L. (2017, November 14) Brain & Adversity - Class Lecture. Personal Collection of L. Desautels, Butler University, Indianapolis, IN.

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