The Brain Gym & A Giveaway

As you know, I've been on a meaningful movement kick, so to speak. It might be due, in part, to the fact that I find it unbelievably difficult to sit still for great lengths of time. People often seem surprised that I'm not a movie goer, but friends, it's almost physically painful for me to sit still for that long! 
As a result, I'm adding a few more brain breaks to my arsenal.

 Here's an easy one: Have kids stand up (of course!) and put thumbs up on one hand, and pinky up on the other. Then switch. No, I don't mean just flipping the hands upside down, I mean actually have them switch the thumbs-up hand to pinky up and the pinky up to a thumbs up... simultaneously. Once they've done it, switch again. Do as many reps at they need to sucessfully wipe the cobwebs away. 


Do you know about Brain Breaks by HOPS Sports? These high-energy clips work in concert with the AutoBGood stories; as such, they've infused character education with meaningful movement. I tried them out last week and found them to be engaging and entertaining.

Click {here} for a terrific teacher-collaborated activity list at 
 the I Want To Teacher Forever blog. 
Click {here} for energizers from our friends in Portage, MI.
 Get ready to get moving!

Missy Squirrels is having a giveaway and, in addition to a lot of other really cool stuff, she's giving away an author-signed copy of Have You Filled A Bucket Today? from my friend Carol McCloud, so click her cute button below to go there to enter today!



Oh, and don't forget to leave a comment telling us your favorite musical (along with your email address) for a chance to win that 
$20.00 Macy's giftcard from M80. You have until 7 pm central tonight; I'll announce the winner in tomorrow's post.

The Macy's card giveaway is now closed; thanks to everyone who entered!


10 comments

  1. My favorite musical is Annie!
    reagan.tunstall@gmail.com
    Great Post! I have a lot of clicking to do now! Thanks for all the links. :)

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  2. My favorite musical is Miss Saigon... I cry every time I listen to the music! It really touches my soul. elementarymatters@gmail.com

    Sally from Elementary Matters

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  3. I might find it kind of challenging to do the pinky/thumb thing - can't wait to see my kids try it. lol!
    My favorite musical would have to be Phantom of the Opera. It was the first one I saw in a "real" theater and I just fell in love!
    Denise
    Sunny Days In Second Grade

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  4. My favorite musical is Wicked. niketam@msn.com
    ❀ Tammy
    Forever in First

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  5. I've always loved West Side Story.
    Jkmatuch@aol.com

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  6. My favorite musical is Wicked! melindacasas@gmail.com

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  7. My favorite musical is Phantom of the Opera! Such amazing music!!! Wood.mindi@yahoo.com

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  8. I loved Wicked! Thanks for the chance to win!
    Michelle
    mcoop1125@gmail.com

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  9. That pinky thumb thing is really hard to do! I was surprised:)
    I know what you mean about sitting through movies. If I'm not into it 100% I also feel very uncomfortable to the point where it hurts. Glad to hear I'm not the only one.
    Wicked is one of my all-time favourite books so I would probably love the musical...although I haven't seen it;)

    Barbara
    Grade ONEderful
    Ruby Slippers

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  10. My favorite musical is The Sound of Music!
    Thanks for the chance to win:)

    Tammy
    The Resourceful Apple

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I really enjoy hearing from my readers; thanks for sharing your reflections with us!