Brain break spinner for the classroom
Spin for a quick movement or calm-down activity, shown in big letters on the smartboard and read out loud. No login, nothing to install, and ready in one click.
Run a brain break in three steps
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Open it on the board
Load this page on the smartboard or projector computer. Press the full-screen party mode button so the activity fills the screen.
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Pick the wheel
Open Edit wheel and choose Energizers, Animal moves, Calm down or Silly moves, depending on what the class needs right now.
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Let it run
Press Auto spin. The spinner reads each activity aloud, counts down and moves on by itself, so you can join in or circulate.
Four wheels for four moods
Energizers
Jumping Jacks, Hop on One Foot, Touch Your Toes, Star Jumps, Run in Place, Arm Circles, Reach for the Sky and Spin Around Once. Use these after a long stretch of sitting, or when the room has gone quiet and sleepy after lunch.
Animal moves
Bear Crawl, Frog Jumps, Crab Walk, Flamingo Stand, Bunny Hops, Penguin Waddle, Elephant Stomps and Kangaroo Jumps. Younger students love these. They need a little floor space, so push chairs in first.
Calm down
Five Deep Breaths, Stretch Up Tall, Shoulder Rolls, Balloon Breath, Tree Pose, Wiggle Your Fingers, Count to Ten Slowly and Hug Yourself. Use these before a test, after recess, or any time the class needs to settle rather than wake up.
Silly moves
Robot Dance, Air Guitar, Silly Face, Chicken Dance, Freeze Like a Statue, Moonwalk, Slow Motion Run and Pretend to Surf. A reward for good work, or a way to break the tension on a long day.
Settings that work in class
- Keep it short. Two to three minutes is plenty. Set Time between spins to 20 seconds and stop after six to nine moves.
- Turn on 3-2-1 beeps so students hear the next activity coming and finish the one they are on.
- Use every move before repeating keeps the same activity from coming up twice, which avoids the cry of "we already did that one".
- Slow the voice down under Voice and sound for younger grades or English learners.
- Let students take turns. Add names under Players and the spinner calls on a student to lead each move. Tap a name to skip a student who is absent.
Transition tip: finish an energizer break with one or two spins of the Calm down wheel. Ending on deep breaths or a slow stretch makes it much easier to get everyone back to their seats and focused.
Keeping it safe and calm
Before the first break, agree on a "freeze" signal, such as a raised hand or a clap pattern, that means stop and listen. Point out where it is safe to move and where it isn't, especially for hopping and animal walks.
Not every student can do every move. Any activity can be done seated or in a smaller way: arm circles from a chair, marching instead of hopping. If a move doesn't fit your room, open Edit wheel and replace it. Your changes are saved on that computer for next time.
You can also build a wheel for your own routines, such as line-up jobs, review questions or reward choices. Use the Custom tab, then Copy share link to send it to the teacher next door.
Other spinners
Questions
Do students or teachers need an account?
No. There is no login, no signup and nothing to install. Open the page on the classroom computer or smartboard and press Spin.
How long should a brain break last?
Two to three minutes is enough for most classes. With 20 seconds per move and no rest, six to nine spins fill that time.
Can I add my own activities?
Yes. Open Edit wheel to type your own activities, change colors, and add or remove slices, from 2 up to 16. The wheel is saved on that computer, and Copy share link lets you send it to other teachers.
Does it work on a smartboard?
Yes. It runs in the smartboard's web browser or on a computer connected to a projector. Party mode fills the screen with the activity in large letters and keeps the display from going to sleep.
Can I turn the voice off?
Yes. Open Voice and sound to turn the spoken calls or the sound effects off, or to slow the voice down for younger students.