Conversations from the Classroom: May 2018

Brain Breaks Teachers (and 10 FREEBIES)

We’ve all used “brain breaks” to help students get through tough school days. But what about us? Teachers become stressed out and fatigued from those long testing days too, especially during the end of the school year. Here are a few tips to help you survive through to the last day of school.

What’s a Brain Break?

A brain break is a quick refreshing activity to decrease built-up tension from testing, long days, or stressful times. Brain breaks are a fun technique to energize, activate, and refocus the mind. They’re kind of like brain candy to decrease frustration levels or reinvigorate students that may have become drained or unmotivated after long periods of work.

Teachers all over the world use brain break activities to help refocus and re-energize their students. They work tirelessly to ensure that their class does not become overwhelmed or disengaged. The ironic part is that they do all of this while draining themselves.

The truth is that teachers sometimes need a mental break too, especially toward the end of the school year. We know about GoNoodle for kids. We should invent GoDoodle for adults. Or how about GoStrudal! Many educators experience teacher burnout and struggle to keep their head up each day in the classroom. They need teacher survival tips. Teachers need brain breaks, but what can they do?

When You’re Spread Too Thin… Stretch.

Teaching can be both emotionally and physically difficult. If you’re like me, you’ll have days when you come home and just want to cry. There are days you’ll feel like you’ve run a marathon. There will be days that you wonder if you can keep it up.

Those days will come but they will also pass. You’ll have tough days along with the great times, and it’s all a part of teaching. No one ever told me that teaching would be such a roller coaster!

To help with the more challenging times, try a yoga class or even a video at home to stretch out those tired muscles and redirect your mind. Yoga can help relieve stress while providing low impact exercise. It can help tone and strengthen your muscles, leading to a healthier body and a more relaxed and confident self. Yoga can inspire balance, calmness, and self- awareness, all of which can benefit any teacher.

Self- Reflect Inside the Classroom… and Outside of the Classroom.

If relaxation sounds good, but exercise isn’t your thing, try meditation. As teachers, we’re used to bustling around all day; planning, teaching, and taking responsibility for all sorts of occasions that arise throughout the day. Teachers are always on the go, always on- task. Teachers get tired and overwhelmed. Sometimes we don’t know how to just pause.

Great teachers know that self- reflection is an important part of effective teaching. But how many actually reflect on their personal lives and their own mental state of mind? Meditation encourages peace and self- awareness while working on mindfulness, positivity, clarity, and concentration.

There are many blog posts, podcasts, and YouTube videos about meditation. Some of them are even dedicated specifically to teachers. Meditation could be a great way to connect with yourself by disconnecting from everything else. If nothing else, it can help you chill out after a crazy day.

Phone a Friend.

Know someone that always makes you laugh? When’s the last time you spoke to them? Is there someone you’ve lost touch with that you’d like to reconnect with? Give them a call. Just five minutes on the phone with a loved one can lift your mood while brightening their day. Try talking about fun times and good memories to get your mind off your problems and catch up with an old friend. It could be just what you need to refresh your mind and you’ll probably cheer them up too!

Step Outside.

Even if it means grading papers on the playground or bringing your laptop to the school courtyard, try to get out of the building if possible. A little fresh air can make a world of a difference, and it helps to physically remove yourself from the environment in which you’ve been feeling stressed and drained.

Walk It Off.

While you’re outside, why not take a walk to really clear your mind. Run if you’re feeling ambitious. Take notice of shape of the clouds, the swaying leaves in the trees, and the chirping of the birds. Focusing on nature helps us to remember that our problems are small in the grand scheme of things.

Dance, Dance.

Confession time. Sometimes I close the blinds and have a dance party with my kids. Let’s just keep this between us, okay? But the truth is that they love it and it gets my blood pumping. I could give you a long list of why I don’t exercise enough, but the real reason is that I just don’t want to.

But I love dancing! While I may look totally foolish, I have fun doing it. It’s such a great way to get moving and laughing. I’m not brave enough to join a dance class at the gym, so it’s just something we do at home for now. I’ve had spontaneous dance parties in my classroom too. I highly recommend it! Just make sure to close those blinds first.

Brain Candy in Moderation.

Social media can serve as brain candy, as long as you don’t get sucked in for too long or take it too seriously. Know that behind those perfect Instagram photos is probably someone who is stressed out and wearing sweatpants behind the camera. Social media can be fun but set some limits for yourself. Set a timer for ten minutes to browse on social media, then log off. And if social media causes you stress of any kind, stay away.

Freebies for Fun.

And just for fun, here are 10 freebies from my shop! Hopefully they’ll spark some fun in your classroom or save you a little time. Enjoy!

So whether you’re reading this toward the end of the school year, or you’ve only just begun, chances are that you’ll need a brain break soon. Remember these tips and if you have any more, comment at the bottom, or let me know on my Facebook or Instagram pages. I’d love to connect with you!

I wrote another blog post about teacher survival tips on my blog, https://teachingexceptionalthinkers.com/.

Visit my Exceptional Thinkers Blog for more fun teaching ideas!

Follow Exceptional Thinkers on TPT for freebies, discounts, and new products! Here's where you can find me:

~Christy D. from Exceptional Thinkers

2 comments

May 22, 2018 by Christy from Exceptional Thinkers

Every Child Deserves An End Of The Year Award

End of The Year Awards?

I have a personal bias about End of The Year Award Ceremony. I feel that every child deserves at least one reward. They couldn't have spent a whole year with you, and not done at least one thing right. I do know it is hard to smile and give an award to the difficult trouble maker in your class, but you as a teacher could be the one to acknowledge this child, that does need emotional support!

Two reasons for this bias:

First: My children went to a school that only gave two good citizenship awards for each class. One for a girl and one for a boy. Because I focused my energies during that time at the urban/ low income school where I taught, I was not the P.T.A mother who showed up each week. Of course, those children of these parents were always the ones recognized. My daughters, who were good in school (alas, not angels at home) never understood this. I think all good kids should be recognized for being a good citizen if they deserve it,not a select few.

Second: I was teaching in a school in which the students were called forward to receive their awards. Every child who went forward, was able to stay up front, until everyone was recognized. They had smiles from ear to ear. 😀

I looked over where the pre-school children sat. Their teacher had given awards to all of her students, but one. He was left sitting all by himself on the gym floor, while everyone else in his class was up front.

Tell me that that four year old child didn't feel upset! 😞

Later I offered to give that teacher a certificate to give to him, so at least he could go home with some recognition. She responded, "He doesn't deserve anything. He was always bad and I am glad he is moving along!"

As teachers we are suppose to teach the whole child. I think this teacher, missed the memo about every child.

I hope he found a better, and caring teacher in Kindergarten.

So what to do with the child that has plucked your last nerve all year.

BE CREATIVE!

Here are some ideas!

Fantastic Story Teller
Most Expressive!
Creative in Cleaning Up the Room
Fastest Runner
Lunch Room Enthusiast

If you get stumped on what to give ask a colleague for a suggestion.

Even if it is "Happy to Have Had You In My Class! Good Luck in the Next Grade!

Organizational Tip!

Put certificates either in a file folder or large envelope for each child. Then on the front write the name of the certificate for easy recognition. That way you only have to hand out the one envelope or folder. Saves time and keeps the certificates neat.

I always collected them as they sat down to hand back out in the classroom to be put in book bags.

If your school doesn't do a big assembly. Then invite parents for a grade level assembly, or one for your own class.

Great parent involvement and PR!

Here is a free sample from my newest award resource.