Children experience fluctuating periods of focus and distraction like adults, though the length of these intervals can vary with age and individual differences. By high school, neurologist and educator Judy Willis suggests that students typically require a three-to-five-minute break after 20 to 30 minutes of concentrated study.
These brain breaks prevent overwhelming feelings and allow students to reflect, find joy, and connect amidst a busy school schedule. They are a vital component of the learning process.
Youki Terada, Edutopia’s research editor, noted, “Active, repeated manipulation of material helps build the neural foundations for skill development.” Contrary to the misconception that breaks merely interrupt learning, neuroscientist Leonardo Cohen and his team highlight in their June 2021 study that breaks are crucial for consolidating and compressing recent memories. Cohen asserts that integrating breaks into the learning process is as important as practice itself in acquiring new skills.
Brain breaks can take various forms in the classroom based on their purpose. To enhance students’ mood, Willis recommends activities that boost vital neurotransmitters like dopamine, such as laughing, moving, listening to music, and interacting with peers. Additionally, incorporating physical activity into brain breaks alleviates stress and enhances blood flow and oxygen supply, stimulating brain activity and helping students regain focus when fatigued.
1. Thinking Outside the Box
On the board, present students with the beginning of a doodle—a couple of lines, a squiggle, or a half circle—that they must creatively transform into something original. Invite volunteers to propose ideas for the initial doodle prompt to foster student engagement and input. This approach, adapted from Tina Centineo’s suggestions on X (formerly Twitter), allows students to exercise their creativity and add their personal touch to the activity.
2.“Train Your Brain”
This engaging exercise begins with students touching the tip of their nose with their right index finger while simultaneously using their left finger to touch their ear. Afterward, they should switch hands, touching their nose with the left index finger and their ear with the right.
Students should continue practicing until they can perform the task accurately, which may take varying amounts of time depending on individual skill. For an added challenge, introduce a competitive element to see which student can maintain accuracy for the most extended period. This activity, shared by PE teacher Matt Head on TikTok, offers a fun way to enhance coordination and concentration.
3. Would You Rather
Pair students and have them engage in discussions about intriguing “Would You Rather” questions. For example:
- Would you rather live in a world with no technology or no nature?
- Would you rather have the ability to speak with animals or the ability to speak all human languages fluently?
- Would you rather have your favorite movie character as your best friend or your favorite book character as your sibling?
Conduct the activity as a class exercise to incorporate movement. Announce each prompt aloud and have students move to different sides of the room to indicate their preference. Invite a few volunteers to share the reasoning behind their choice. This approach, sourced from Education World, promotes thoughtful discussion and encourages physical activity and engagement.
4. Rest and Reflect
Dim the lights and set a timer for three to five minutes to transform the classroom environment. Play soothing background music to create a calming atmosphere. Encourage students to close their eyes, take deep breaths, and use this time to briefly pause, clear their minds, and reflect on what they have just learned. This moment of tranquility helps them process information and prepare for the next segment of the class. This practice, recommended by We Are Teachers, supports mental clarity and readiness for continued learning.
5. Snowball Toss
This engaging activity helps students decompress and facilitates open conversations about stress and mental health. Begin by having each student write down something they are stressed about on paper, which they then crumple into a ball. When you signal, students participate in a mock snowball fight, tossing their crumpled documents across the room.
Afterward, each student picks up a nearby snowball and reads about a peer’s stressor. To ensure comStudentshether to share their lessors. This method toprovidee comfort and control, sourced from Urban Prep Charter Academy for Young Men—Englewood Campus, encourages empathy and fosters a supportive classroom environment.
6. Fold and Fly
Allocate a few minutes for a paper airplane challenge to engage students in creativity and teamwork. Divide the class into small groups and task each group to design and build a paper airplane without specific instructions or templates, encouraging improvisation and innovation. Students will collaborate to develop and refine their designs, testing various techniques to achieve the best result.
Finally, hold a competition to see which airplane can fly the farthest from one side of the room to the other. This activity, inspired by Student-Centered World, fosters problem-solving skills and cooperative learning in a fun, hands-on way.
7. Jigsaw Jumble
For a quiet and engaging brain break, give small groups of students a set of puzzle pieces and challenge them to assemble the puzzle using only nonverbal communication. Silence is critical—no talking is allowed. This activity encourages teamwork and problem-solving while creating a calm, focused classroom environment. This idea, sourced from Student-Centered World, offers a unique way to promote collaboration and concentration.
8. Keep It Up
Blow up a balloon and have students form a circle, holding hands. Once everyone is ready, toss the balloon into the air. The challenge is for the group to keep the balloon aloft using any part of their body except their hands—think heads, feet, shoulders, and elbows. For added fun, divide the class into teams and see which group can keep the balloon in the air the longest. This activity, sourced from X, promotes teamwork, coordination, and physical engagement in a lively, interactive way.
9. What Is That?
Present your class with a captivating image of something they are unlikely to encounter in their subject area. For instance, former principal Peter Embleton used a picture of a murmuration of starlings without revealing what it was. Students must use their observation skills and critical thinking to identify and understand the image without using phones or computers.
This activity stimulates curiosity and introduces students to intriguing new concepts, enhancing their learning experience. Peter Embleton’Peter Embleton’s approach, shared on X, fosters inquiry and engagement in the classroom.
10. Rock, Paper, Scissors
Elevate the classic game of rock, paper, and scissors by turning it into a brief class tournament. Begin by pairing students and have them compete against each other. Winners advance to face other winners while the losers return to their seats. Continue this elimination process until only one student remains as the ultimate champion. This activity, recommended by Barre Unified Union School District, adds a competitive and fun element to the game, engaging students and encouraging participation.
11.1, 2, 3, Math!
In this quick and engaging activity, students compete against each other. On the count of “1, 2, 3, Math,” each player shows one, two, three, or four fingers. The objective is for the first player to correctly call out the sum of both players’ fingers to win the round and earn a point. The first player to win three rounds is declared the champion. This fun exercise, shared by Lori Desautels, combines math practice with friendly competition.
12. Cup-Stacking Challenge
Divide students into small groups and give each group three cups and two index cards. Instruct them to build a vertical tower with the following arrangement: cup on the bottom, index card, cup in the middle, index card, and cup on top. The goal is swiftly removing ads so the cups fall neatly into a stack.
Use a timer to track how quickly each group completes the task. For added excitement, different classes can compete to see which can achieve the fastest time. This activity, sourced from Jonathan Alsheimer on X, fosters teamwork, precision, and a sense of competition.
13. Classwide Wordle
Engage your students with the popular word game that has captivated so many. In this classwide version, you’ll have six attempts to guess the five-letter word of the day. The color of the tiles indicates how close each guess is: green tiles mean the letter is in the correct spot, yellow tiles mean the letter is in the word but in the wrong place, and gray tiles mean the letter is not in the word at all.
Play the game together as a class, allowing students to shout out their guesses and vote on their preferred suggestions. This interactive activity, sourced from Kim West on X, promotes collaboration and critical thinking while having fun.
14. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
Revitalize students during a long lesson with a quick movement break. Guide them through a short sequence of exercises to get their blood flowing and energy up. For example, have students perform five high knees, four jumping jacks, three push-ups, two deep breaths, and one squat. Offer the flexibility for students to either stand and complete the sequence or sit and stretch in their way, making the activity inclusive for everyone. This approach, sourced from We Are Teachers, helps maintain alertness and engagement in the classroom.
15. Odd One Out
Engage your class with the Google Arts & Culture game, where students must identify the AI-generated imposter among a set of four images. They will need to determine which artwork was created by AI before the time runs out. This game can be played as a class or in small groups, sparking intriguing discussions about students’ perceptions and misconceptions of AI. This activity, sourced from Tony Vincent on X, combines critical thinking with technology, offering educational value and interactive fun.
16. Collaborative Class Story
Start a new Google Doc and have one student finish the story with an imaginative sentence. Alternatively, you can use ChatGPT to generate the opening line: “Amidst the chaos of the carnival, I found myself face-to-face with a llama.” Next, invite each student to add a sentence to build on the story, ensuring everyone contributes.
If time is limited, split the class into mini-groups of two or three to quickly decide on their sentences. Conclude the activity by reading the complete story aloud to the class, showcasing the creative collaboration. This idea, sourced from Dora Hartsell on X, offers a fun and engaging way to encourage creativity and teamwork.
17. Invisible Pictures
In pairs, have one student “draw” a picture in the air while their partner tries to guess what it is, as described by assistant professor Lori Desautels. To guide the activity, provide categories such as foods, animals, or places to inspire the drawing.
To facilitate the guessing process, allow the partner to ask one or two yes-or-no questions to gain additional context. This fun and interactive activity encourages creativity and communication skills while adding an element of challenge.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are brain breaks, and why are they important for high school students?
Brain breaks are short, intentional pauses from academic work that help students reset and recharge. These breaks are crucial for high schoolers because they enhance focus, reduce stress, and improve overall learning and retention. They provide a mental and physical reset, which can boost productivity and engagement in classroom activities.
How long should a brain break be for high school students?
A typical brain break should last between 3 to 10 minutes. This duration is generally enough to allow students to relax and refocus without disrupting the lesson flow.
How can I incorporate brain breaks into a tight class schedule?
Integrate brain breaks strategically by scheduling them between major activities or after intensive learning periods. Use timers to keep breaks brief and structured. You can also incorporate them into transitions between different subjects or activities.
How can I ensure that all students are engaged during brain breaks?
Encourage participation by making brain breaks interactive and inclusive. Offer a variety of activities to cater to different interests and learning styles. To increase students’ investment and enthusiasm, you can also involve them in selecting or designing the brain breaks.
Can brain breaks be used in online or hybrid learning environments?
Yes, brain breaks can be adapted for online or hybrid settings. Virtual activities such as online games, quick movement exercises, or brief mindfulness sessions can be conducted during virtual meetings. Encourage students to engage in physical activity or relaxation techniques during their own time if they are not actively participating in a live session.
How can I measure the effectiveness of brain breaks?
Evaluate the effectiveness by observing changes in student engagement, focus, and overall classroom atmosphere before and after breaks. Collect feedback from students to understand their experiences and preferences. Adjust activities based on their responses and the observed impact on learning outcomes.
Are there any brain-break activities that should be avoided?
Avoid activities that may be too distracting or competitive, as these can counteract the intended benefits of relaxation and refocusing. Ensure that all activities are inclusive and considerate of different comfort levels and physical abilities.
How can I introduce brain breaks to my students effectively?
Introduce brain breaks by explaining their purpose and benefits to students. Demonstrate a few activities and invite student feedback to create a sense of ownership and involvement. Incorporate them consistently into your routine to help students become accustomed to the practice and recognize its value.
Conclusion
Incorporating brain breaks into the high school classroom is a strategic approach to enhance student engagement, focus, and overall well-being. By providing short, intentional pauses from academic work, these breaks help students recharge and prepare for continued learning, leading to improved academic performance and a more positive classroom environment.
Effective brain breaks can vary widely—from physical activities and mindfulness exercises to creative tasks and interactive games. Tailoring these breaks to suit the interests and needs of high school students ensures maximum engagement and benefit. Integrating brain breaks into a tight schedule requires thoughtful planning and flexibility, but the positive impact on student’s mental and physical well-being makes it a valuable practice.
