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Brain Break Bonanza

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Lesson Plan

Brain Break Blueprint

Students will learn and practice three quick, movement-based brain breaks to boost focus, self-regulation, and readiness for upcoming tasks within a 15-minute group session.

Short brain breaks help 3rd graders regulate energy, reset attention, and develop executive function skills necessary for sustained learning and behavior management.

Audience

3rd Grade Students

Time

15 minutes

Approach

Model, practice, and reflect on energizing movement resets.

Materials

Prep

Teacher Preparation

5 minutes

  • Review Quick Reset Slides and familiarize yourself with each brain break technique.
  • Print and cut apart Movement Mix-Up Cards and Reflection Moment Prompt Cards.
  • Arrange seating in a semicircle so all students can see the screen and each other.
  • Set up projector (or large screen) and a visible timer for practice sessions.
  • Prepare positive reinforcement cues (praise, stickers, or a point chart) to acknowledge on-task participation.

Step 1

Introduction & Norms

2 minutes

  • Greet the group and explain: “Today we’ll learn quick brain breaks to help us refocus and feel ready for new tasks.”
  • Review group norms: respect personal space, use indoor voices during breaks, and encourage peers.
  • Introduce the concept of self-regulation and why energy resets matter.

Step 2

Teach & Practice Quick Resets

6 minutes

  • Display the first two techniques on Quick Reset Slides: Stretch & Breathe and Shake & Wake.
  • Model each break step-by-step, using clear visual and verbal cues.
  • Guide students through two rounds of each break, counting down aloud (e.g., “3…2…1…Go!”).
  • Provide support: demonstrate modifications and praise effort.

Step 3

Movement Mix-Up Activity

4 minutes

  • Shuffle the Movement Mix-Up Cards and place face down.
  • One at a time, each student draws a card and leads the class in that brain break.
  • Encourage classmates to cheer on the leader and follow along.
  • Circulate to scaffold techniques or offer prompts to keep everyone engaged.

Step 4

Reflection Moment & Self-Check

3 minutes

  • Distribute Reflection Moment Prompt Cards.
  • Ask students to answer: “How do you feel now?” and “Which break helped you the most?”
  • Conduct a quick self-regulation check: thumbs up (ready), sideways (almost), down (needs more reset).
  • Note observations for each student’s self-regulation skills and plan follow-up supports.
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Slide Deck

Quick Reset Brain Breaks

• 3 simple, energizing movement resets
• Boost attention & self-regulation
• Ready in 15 seconds!

Welcome the students. Say: “Today we’re going to learn three quick ‘brain breaks’ that help us reset our focus and get ready for our next activities!” Highlight that each break takes less than a minute.

1. Stretch & Breathe

  1. Stand tall, feet hip-width apart
  2. Reach arms up overhead (inhale)
  3. Slowly lower arms and exhale
  4. Repeat 3 times, breathing deeply throughout

Model each step slowly, narrating your movements. Encourage students to follow along.

2. Shake & Wake

  1. Stand with feet apart
  2. Shake right arm for 5 seconds
  3. Shake left arm for 5 seconds
  4. Shake both legs for 10 seconds
  5. Take a deep breath

Demonstrate enthusiastic shaking. Count out loud to keep energy high.

3. March & Count

  1. March in place, lifting knees high
  2. Swing opposite arm with each step
  3. Count out loud to 10
  4. End with 2 deep breaths

Show high-knee march. Count out loud and remind students to lift their knees.

Practice Timer

• Let’s try any one of our breaks for 30 seconds!
• Watch the timer and keep moving until it dings.

Project a visible countdown timer. Guide students: “Get ready… 3… 2… 1… Go!”

Your Turn to Lead

• Shuffle Movement Mix-Up Cards
• Each student draws one card and leads the class
• Peers follow along and cheer on the leader

Explain how students will lead using the Movement Mix-Up Cards. Remind peers to support each leader with positive cheers.

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Activity

Movement Mix-Up Cards

A deck of student-led brain break cards. Shuffle and let each student draw one to lead the group!

Cards Included:

  1. Stretch & Breathe
    • Stand tall with feet hip-width apart.
    • Reach arms overhead as you inhale slowly.
    • Lower arms and exhale completely.
    • Repeat 3 times, focusing on deep breaths.
  2. Shake & Wake
    • Stand with feet apart.
    • Shake your right arm for 5 seconds.
    • Switch and shake your left arm for 5 seconds.
    • Shake both legs together for 10 seconds.
    • Finish with a deep breath.
  3. March & Count
    • March in place, lifting knees up high.
    • Swing opposite arm with each knee lift.
    • Count out loud to 10.
    • Take 2 deep breaths to finish.
  4. Your Turn! (Blank Card)
    • Create your own brain break!
    • Write or draw your movement on the card.
    • Lead the class and enjoy the new reset.






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Cool Down

Reflection Moment Prompt Cards

  1. How do you feel right now?






  1. Which brain break helped you the most, and why?






Self-Regulation Thumbs Check

• 👍 Thumbs Up: I’m ready to focus!

• ➡️ Thumbs Sideways: I could use one more break.

• 👎 Thumbs Down: I need another brain break.

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Brain Break Bonanza • Lenny Learning