High school can be a challenging journey as the coursework becomes more demanding and, in turn, more stressful. When I was in high school, my friends and I complained about the increasing workload. We felt enormous pressure about the impact of our grades on our future opportunities. We all noticed a fading enthusiasm for learning as the years passed.
Caroline Carrello, a Possip intern majoring in Human and Organization Development at Vanderbilt University, explores the powers of brain breaks and offers suggestions geared for high school students.
How can teachers keep high school students engaged and prevent burnout? Utilize brain breaks. Brain breaks are short, planned pauses or activities designed to help people take a break from their regular tasks or academic work to recharge and refocus their minds. These breaks typically last for a few minutes and involve a variety of activities.
Brain breaks are often used in elementary schools to help younger students “get the wiggles out”. In reality, they can be aged up appropriately for older students and be just as effective in enhancing cognitive function, improving concentration, reducing stress, and preventing mental fatigue.
Brain Breaks for High Schoolers
1. Games and Puzzles
Wordle, Qourdle, Globle, Word Association Games. Engaging in these games provides both academic stimulation and brain-challenging entertainment for students.
2. Physical Activities
Quick stretches, jumping jacks, or a short walk around the room to get the blood flowing. If time and space allow, try leading a seven minute workout from the New York Times.
3. Creative Activities or Assignments
Drawing, coloring, or other creative tasks that allow the mind to wander and reset.
4. Shareouts
Invite students to share something they are looking forward to and/or not looking forward to in their lives or at school. You can name these “Highs and Lows”, “Rose and Thorn”, or “Glows and Grows”. This allows students and teachers to get to know each other better while taking a learning break. Check out the article “Sustaining Joy Beyond Back to School” to learn more about the importance of checking in with students.
5. Mindfulness Exercises
Mindful breathing, body scans, or other mindfulness practices to reduce stress and increase awareness. Read “Supporting Mental Health: Coping Skills and Self-Regulation Tips” to learn more about how teachers can support their student’s mental health.
6. Video Shareouts
Students can take turns sharing 5-10 minute YouTube videos they found interesting online over the year. Watching interesting and entertaining videos provides a change of pace from regular academic tasks. The 5-10 minute time frame keeps the break short and focused, preventing it from becoming a distraction or time-consuming.
In elementary and middle school, students often enjoy regular breaks during the day that allow them to move around and stay entertained and engaged. However, as students transition into high school, the enjoyable activities that were once a part of their learning experience in earlier grades tend to be phased out from the curriculum. Adding these brain breaks back into high school students’ busy days can help reduce burnout and keep students engaged.
