Brain Breaks - Google Games and More
(Source: Brain Breaks: Must-Do or Waste of Time?)
I’ve long been a huge proponent of finding creative ways to give students a break. Call them “Brain Breaks” or whatever I believe they have real benefits for students. These breaks can be a fun way to interact with students outside of the content or they can be connected to your content in creative ways. I find that my students typically are able to refocus and are usually more productive after we engage in a creative brain break.
Today I wanted to share a few Google resources we’ve explored and will continue to use to engage students in creative brain breaks. These may even lead to so unexpected and learning experiences that can be connected to essential course goals and content.
Google Earth and Google Maps are great ways to engage students. These posts are connected to some of our favorite resources connected to Google Earth and Google Maps.
Creative Exploration of Google Maps and Google EarthGoogle Carmen Sandiego Games on Google Earth – Critical Thinking and CuriosityVirtual Field Trip Resources
“Play with Arts & Culture” is a collection of creative and gaming experiments created by the Google Arts and Culture Lab. These posts connected to some of our favorite Google Arts and Culture resources.
Cultural Crosswords – A Google Arts and Culture InteractiveExploring Cultural Moments “What Came First?” with Google Arts and CultureCreate Your Own Art “Digital Art Coloring Book” with Google Arts and Culture ExperimentGoogle Arts & Culture Puzzle PartyBlob Opera – Creative Brain Breaks for Students and Teachers A non Google musical favorite of mine is Incredibox. Google Arts & Culture Activity Book
Google also has some amazing experiments and resources outside of Google Maps, Google Earth, and the Google Arts & Culture platform.
Google Experiments – Art, Music, AR, AI, and MoreWhat is Your Favorite Google Easter Egg?Google Secrets – Exploring Awesome Teaching & Learning Resources
Brain breaks also don’t need to be digital. Here are a few creative ideas to get students up and moving.
Give 1 Get 1We Are Teachers – 50 Educational Brain BreaksActivating the Brain With Movement BreaksMore Than a Dozen Ways to Build Movement Into Learning
How would you use this with students? If you have a creative idea, I’d love to have you tag me in a tweet. @WickedEdTech