Brain Break for Middle Schoolers: Ball/Balloon Brain Break

Got some stir-crazy students? I get it. Gamify their learning and give them a chance to move a bit with this fun ball/balloon brain break - perfect for middle schoolers.

Here’s how I use this in class:

1. Divide into Teams/small groups
2. Set a timer and have one student collect as many balls - while simultaneously keeping a balloon afloat - as they can in that amount of time.
3. Use the balls they collected to extend this fun/physically active activity into an educational moment. (Examples include: story elements, genres, parts of speech, story formats.)

This resource includes:

• Activity directions (and video example of how to play)
• Slides for 5 variations of educational extensions (story elements, genres, parts of speech, story formats) that includes a 30 second timer
• Blank slide for you to create/add your own variation
• Links to purchase balloons, balls, and collection buckets

This activity is currently set up for ELA content, but could easily be adapted to any curriculum/content area.