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Brain Gym

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Lesson Plan

Brain Gym Lesson Plan

Students will engage in a 15-minute sequence of movement-based brain breaks to sharpen attention, speed up task-switching, and build organizational skills through structured warm-up cards, a relay challenge, and a focused breathing cooldown.

Strengthening executive functions early helps 2nd graders regulate attention, transition smoothly between tasks, and develop self-organization. Embedding fun routines supports classroom readiness and boosts academic and emotional success.

Audience

2nd Grade Class

Time

15 minutes

Approach

Movement breaks and relay tasks paired with breathing exercises target core EF skills.

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Brain Break Warm-Up

5 minutes

  • Have students stand in an open area facing you.
  • Shuffle the Executive Function Warm-Up Cards and draw one at a time.
  • Lead students through each card’s movement (e.g., cross arms, jump, balance) for 30 seconds.
  • Pause briefly between cards to refocus and count internally.
  • Complete 4–5 different cards, modeling attention and quick transitions.

Step 2

Task-Switch Relay

7 minutes

  • Divide students into teams of 4 and assign each team a staging line.
  • At each station, place a different task (e.g., stack blocks, sort shapes).
  • On “Go,” the first runner completes Station 1, returns, and tags the next teammate.
  • Continue until every student runs one leg, using the Task-Switch Relay Kit.
  • Emphasize smooth handoffs, quick task-switching, and organized setups.

Step 3

Focus Breathing Cool-Down

3 minutes

  • Gather students in a circle or seated comfortably.
  • Explain the Focus Breathing Guide: inhale for 4 counts, hold for 2, exhale for 6.
  • Lead the class through three full breath cycles, modeling slow, calm exhalations.
  • Encourage students to notice how breathing helps them reset and focus for the next lesson.
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Slide Deck

Brain Gym Warm-Up Overview

• 15-minute whole-class routine
• Movement-based brain breaks to sharpen focus
• Builds task-switching speed & organizational skills

Welcome teachers! Introduce Brain Gym as a quick, fun routine to boost executive functions—attention, task‐switching, and organization—before diving into academic work. Highlight that this is Tier 1 support for all 2nd graders.

Materials & Preparation

• Executive Function Warm-Up Cards
• Task-Switch Relay Kit
• Focus Breathing Guide

Prep (10 min):

  1. Print & cut cards
  2. Arrange cones & station items
  3. Practice breathing cycle

Review and prepare all materials before students arrive. Use our deck colors (#B8E5D1, #9DD9C3, #82CDB6) on printed cards for visual consistency.

Brain Break Warm-Up (5 min)

  1. Shuffle & draw 4–5 EF cards
  2. Lead each movement (30 sec each)
  3. Pause to refocus & count internally
  4. Transition swiftly between cards

Gather students standing in an open area. Model each movement clearly, use a timer, and encourage quick mental resets between cards.

Task-Switch Relay (7 min)

• Stations: stack blocks, sort shapes, assemble puzzle
• On “Go,” Runner 1 completes Station 1 & tags next
• Continue until all teammates run
• Focus on speed, smooth handoffs, setup order

Divide class into teams of 4. Demonstrate a full relay leg. Emphasize teamwork, organized stations, and cheering peers on.

Focus Breathing Cool-Down (3 min)

  1. Sit or stand in a circle
  2. Inhale 4 counts → Hold 2 → Exhale 6
  3. Repeat 3 full cycles
  4. Notice how breathing resets focus

Use a calm, measured tone. Show a visual (e.g., breathing circle) and invite students to feel their chests rise and fall.

Differentiation & Teacher Tips

• Provide seated/motion-reduced options
• Use visual timers or cue cards
• Assign peer buddies at stations
• Praise effort, track progress on a chart

Offer adaptations and supports to ensure every student succeeds. Reinforce positive behavior and celebrate effort.

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Worksheet

Executive Function Warm-Up Cards

Use these printable cards to lead quick, movement-based brain breaks. Shuffle and draw one card at a time. Perform each movement for 30 seconds, then switch to the next card.

1. Cross-Body Chop

Movement: Tap your left shoulder with your right hand, then tap your right shoulder with your left hand. Continue alternating at a steady pace.
EF Skill: Bilateral Coordination & Attention.





2. Jump & Count

Movement: Jump in place 10 times. While jumping, count backward from 10 to 1 out loud.
EF Skill: Working Memory & Focus.





3. Balance Beam

Movement: Stand on your right foot and hold for 15 seconds; switch to your left foot for 15 seconds. Keep arms out for balance.
EF Skill: Sustained Attention & Self-Control.





4. Spin & Spot

Movement: Slowly spin in place three full turns. After stopping, point to a colored object in the room and name its color.
EF Skill: Task-Switching & Cognitive Flexibility.





5. High-Knee March

Movement: March in place, lifting knees as high as possible for 30 seconds.
EF Skill: Inhibitory Control (maintain rhythm & form).





6. Clock Reach

Movement: Stand with feet hip-width apart. Reach right arm to “12 o’clock,” left arm to “6 o’clock,” then switch (right to 3, left to 9). Continue alternating.
EF Skill: Cognitive Flexibility & Spatial Awareness.





7. Shoulder Rolls

Movement: Roll shoulders forward five times, then backward five times. Keep movements smooth.
EF Skill: Self-Regulation & Body Awareness.





8. Beat the Timer

Movement: Clap your hands eight times as quickly as you can within 10 seconds. Try to finish before time’s up!
EF Skill: Time Management & Speeded Processing.





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Worksheet

Task-Switch Relay Kit

Use this printable kit to set up your Task-Switch Relay activity. Divide students into teams of four and place the following stations around the play area. Each station has its own task, materials list, and setup diagram. Students will rotate through all stations as quickly and accurately as possible.

Station Overview

StationTaskMaterialsSetup Diagram
1Block Stack• 10 wooden or plastic blocks per team[Stack blocks in a tower]
2Shape Sort• 1 set of 8–10 foam shapes per team
• 1 sorting tray or box per team[Arrange tray with 4 compartments]
3Puzzle Assemble• 1 simple 12-piece puzzle per team[Lay puzzle pieces face down]

Replace bracketed diagrams with simple line-drawn icons or clip art when printing.

Materials & Setup

  1. Print one copy of this page per team and cut into station cards.
  2. Place cones or floor markers to outline each station, leaving 3–5 feet between stations.
  3. At each station, display the station card on a small easel or tape it to the table.
  4. Arrange the required materials neatly at each station, matching the list below.

Station 1: Block Stack

Materials:

  • 10 wooden or plastic blocks

Setup:

  • Place blocks in a single pile at the station’s center.





Station 2: Shape Sort

Materials:

  • 8–10 foam shapes (circles, squares, triangles, stars)
  • 1 sorting tray or divided box (4 compartments)

Setup:

  • Scatter shapes randomly beside the tray.
  • Label each compartment with a shape outline if desired.





Station 3: Puzzle Assemble

Materials:

  • 1 pre-selected 12-piece puzzle (simple image)

Setup:

  • Turn all puzzle pieces face down and spread evenly on the table.
  • Keep the puzzle box image visible for reference.





Relay Instructions for Students

  1. On “Go,” Runner 1 enters Station 1, completes the Block Stack (must stand blocks vertically).
  2. After finishing, Runner 1 returns to the team line and tags Runner 2.
  3. Runner 2 moves to Station 2, completes Shape Sort (places each shape in correct compartment).
  4. Repeat handoff to Runner 3 for Station 3 (Puzzle Assemble).
  5. First team to have all three runners finish their station correctly wins!

Emphasize quick transitions and organized setups.

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Worksheet

Focus Breathing Guide

Focus breathing helps calm your mind and prepare your brain for learning. Follow these steps slowly and mindfully.

Steps

  1. Get Comfortable
    Sit or stand with a straight back. Place one hand on your belly.
  2. Inhale (4 counts)
    Breathe in slowly through your nose, counting “1…2…3…4,” and feel your belly rise.
  3. Hold (2 counts)
    Gently hold your breath, counting “1…2.”
  4. Exhale (6 counts)
    Breathe out through your mouth, counting “1…2…3…4…5…6,” and feel your belly fall.
  5. Repeat
    Complete 3 full breath cycles, moving calmly and smoothly between steps.

Visual Cue: Imagine tracing a circle: inhale up the side, hold across the top, exhale down the other side, then start again at the bottom.







Practice Log

Cycle 1: How did you feel after this cycle?






Cycle 2: How did you feel after this cycle?






Cycle 3: How did you feel after this cycle?






Reflection

What changes do you notice in your body or mind after focus breathing?











When might you use focus breathing during the day?











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