Physical Activity Breaks

 

These three-five minute physical activity ideas can be incorporated into any classroom.

 

 

Chair Aerobics:

Have students pull their chairs out from their desk. They should sit up straight, keeping their ankles together to do leg lifts by extending their legs to a 180 degree angle for 10 repetitions. Then have students stand behind the chair and while holding the back for balance, extend their right leg out to the side to a 45 degree angle for 10 repetitions. Then repeat with the left leg.

 

No Stress Walk:

Make it a classroom tradition to have a 5 minute walking break before class to help everyone unwind and relax, especially on test days!

 

Cross Crawls:

Stand up, bring your knee up and touching one hand to the opposite knee; then switch.

 

Mirror Drill:

Partners face one another. Hold palms up in front of chest, facing partner. The leader will move one hand at a time and the follower will mirror the movement. Switch hands every 1 minute.

 

Chair Squats:

Stand tall with chair behind you, with arms straight in front slowly start to sit down then just before touching the chair, slowly starts standing up again.

 

Butterfly Breath:

Stand tall, feet hip width apart and arms lifted out to the sides. Exhaling, lift right knee and touch it with left elbow. Inhaling, return to start position and then repeat switching sides

 

Jamin' time:

Have students to the following series for around 1 minute then gradually increase pace; reach the sky, touch toes, arm circles and nick circles.