#115: Brain breaks are my secret sauce for student engagement. Here are my 3 I can't live without!

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As a secondary English teacher, I used to struggle with the idea of brain breaks. The pressure to get through content and prepare students for exams felt too overwhelming to justify stopping for “games.”

But my classroom culture was suffering. Students were stressed, disengaged, and burnt out—especially during heavy writing sessions leading up to exams. So I decided to try something different.

When I started embedding brain breaks into my lessons, I immediately saw positive shifts.

• Students focused better and produced stronger writing.
• Transitions became smoother because I could use movement-based games instead of battling student resistance.
• Apathy decreased, and energy in the room improved.
• Rapport and community strengthened as brain breaks became a consistent, positive routine.

The result? Better engagement, improved learning, and a classroom that felt lighter, happier, and more productive.

Listen in as I discuss:

• Why brain breaks matter in secondary classrooms. Overcoming the pressure to “just keep going.”
• Three types of brain breaks you can use today. Upregulation, downregulation, and movement-based games.
• How brain breaks improve engagement, learning, and classroom culture. Small shifts that make a big impact.

Have a question, comment, or just want to say hello? Drop us a text!

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