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Brain Break Buddy

Lesson Plan

Brain Break Rotation Plan

Enable student to self-monitor attention, choose an appropriate brain break, and independently implement it to refocus.

Short, structured breaks help the student recognize waning focus, reset cognitive resources, and build self-regulation skills—reducing off-task behavior.

Audience

Individual Student

Time

15 minutes

Approach

Guided practice with visual supports

Materials

5-Minute Brain Break Slides, Movement Minute Cards, Break Reflection Sheet, and Timer

Prep

Review Materials

5 minutes

Step 1

Introduce Rotation Plan

3 minutes

  • Explain the goal: to learn self-regulation through quick, targeted breaks
  • Show the schedule of five breaks and review each name and purpose
  • Point out the visuals on 5-Minute Brain Break Slides

Step 2

Model and Practice

6 minutes

  • Demonstrate each activity once while student watches:
    • Stretch & Wiggle
    • Deep Breathing
    • Desk Jog
    • Visual Relaxation
    • Quick Puzzle
  • After modeling, have student choose one and lead them through with the timer set to 1 minute
  • Continue until student has tried at least three different breaks

Step 3

Reflection and Check-In

4 minutes

  • After each break, guide the student to complete the Break Reflection Sheet:
    • Which break did you choose?
    • How did it feel?
    • Did it help you refocus?
  • Discuss their responses and note preferences or challenges
  • Preview next session’s plan and adjust break order if needed
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Slide Deck

5-Minute Brain Breaks

Your quick refresh activities:

  1. Stretch & Wiggle
  2. Deep Breathing
  3. Desk Jog
  4. Visual Relaxation
  5. Quick Puzzle

Welcome! Today we’ll explore five quick brain breaks you can use anytime you feel your focus slipping. Point out that each activity lasts about one minute.

Stretch & Wiggle

• Stand up tall
• Reach arms overhead and lean side to side
• Wiggle your arms and torso for 30 seconds
• Return to your seat slowly

Model each stretch: reach arms overhead, lean gently side to side, then wiggle arms and torso. Encourage the student to follow along.

Deep Breathing

• Sit comfortably with feet flat
• Inhale slowly for 4 seconds
• Exhale fully for 6 seconds
• Repeat this cycle for one minute

Guide the student through paced breathing. Count aloud to help them inhale/exhale. Remind them to keep shoulders relaxed.

Desk Jog

• Sit forward at the edge of your chair
• Jog feet under the desk for one minute
• Pump arms gently as you jog
• Keep your back upright

Explain that a ‘desk jog’ simulates jogging without leaving the seat. Model pumping legs under the desk and moving arms.

Visual Relaxation

• Close your eyes and breathe normally
• Imagine a peaceful scene (beach, forest, etc.) for 30 seconds
• Open your eyes slowly
• Take one deep cleansing breath

Ask the student to close their eyes and visualize a favorite calm place. Use a calm tone to guide the imagery.

Quick Puzzle

• Choose a small puzzle (word scramble or maze)
• Spend one minute solving it
• Stay focused on the puzzle only
• Celebrate even small progress

Provide a simple word scramble or mini-maze printed or on the screen. Emphasize focus on the task at hand.

How to Use Your Brain Breaks

  1. Notice when your attention drifts
  2. Choose one break activity
  3. Set a 1-minute timer
  4. Complete the break
  5. Reflect on how you feel

Review the steps for selecting and using your brain breaks independently. Encourage the student to refer to this slide when planning their next break.

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Activity

Movement Minute Cards

A deck of printable cards to guide quick, one-minute movement breaks. Print on cardstock, cut out, and laminate for durability. The student can choose a card whenever they need to refocus.

How to Use

  1. Shuffle the deck and place cards face down.
  2. When attention drifts, pick the top card.
  3. Read the instructions and set a 1-minute timer.
  4. Complete the movement.
  5. Return the card to the bottom of the deck or place it in a “Done” pile.

Cards (1 per page)

1. Stretch & Wiggle
• Stand up tall with feet hip-width apart.
• Reach arms overhead and lean gently side to side.
• Wiggle arms and torso for the rest of the minute.






2. Desk Jog
• Sit at the edge of your chair.
• Jog your feet under the desk for one minute.
• Pump your arms gently as you jog.






3. Arm Circles
• Stand or sit tall.
• Extend arms out to the sides.
• Make small forward circles for 30 seconds, then reverse for 30 seconds.






4. Chair March
• Sit tall at edge of chair.
• Lift knees one at a time as if marching for one minute.
• Pump arms as you lift each knee.






5. Shoulder Rolls
• Sit or stand comfortably.
• Lift both shoulders toward ears, then roll them back and down.
• Continue rolling for one full minute.






6. Neck Stretches
• Sit tall.
• Gently tilt your head to the right, hold for 10 seconds.
• Tilt to the left, hold for 10 seconds.
• Repeat sequence for one minute.






Teacher Tips

  • Encourage the student to choose a different movement each time.
  • Keep the deck accessible on their desk or in a pocket.
  • Review their favorite cards during reflection on the Break Reflection Sheet.
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Worksheet

Break Reflection Sheet

Student Name: _________________________ Date: _______________

  1. Which brain break did you choose?






  2. Describe what you did during this break.









  3. How did you feel BEFORE the break?









  4. How do you feel AFTER the break?









  5. Did this break help you refocus? (Circle one) Yes / No
    Explain why:









  6. On a scale of 1 (not helpful) to 5 (very helpful), how would you rate this break?


  7. Which break has been your favorite so far? Why?











  8. Any suggestions or ideas for a new break activity?













Reminder: Use this sheet after every brain break to track what works best for you and share your thoughts during our check-in!

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Warm Up

Start-of-Session Check-In

Student Name: _________________________ Date: _______________

  1. How focused do you feel right now? (Circle one)

1 ☐ 2 ☐ 3 ☐ 4 ☐ 5 ☐
(1 = Distracted, 5 = Fully Focused)

  1. Circle your current mood:

😊 😐 😞

  1. Today I want to accomplish:
    _______________________________




  2. Is there anything that might distract you today?
    _______________________________


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