Sometimes, our students just need a break. When the yawns start and the eyelids droop, it is time for a BRAIN BREAK! While many brain breaks are meant for the traditional classroom, this blog post contains several quick brain break ideas that are intended specifically for the music room!
1. Play A Round of Musical “Stick It.”
In this game, the teacher writes one musical question on the board. For example, “Who is your favorite musical artist?” Students each write their answer, NAMELESS, on a post-it note while the teacher looks away. Once students have all written their answers and stuck them to the board, the teacher has to guess who wrote each answer by “sticking it” back to them.
Check out my FREE list of questions that are perfect for this game!
2. Have a Class Discussion Based on Musical “Would You Rather.”
Present students with a musical “would you rather” scenario. For example:
“Would you rather be able to play a musical instrument like a professional or be flawless at any dance move?”
Students will love sharing their strong opinions on questions like this, and you will get to know them better as well!
Check out my FREE worksheet version of this game!
3. Play Musical “Find Someone Who!”
This game can be a quick, easy way to compare musical tastes with your classmates and make new friends! Give students 30 seconds to “find someone who,” and then give them a musical prompt. For example “has the same favorite song as you.” Students then will spend 30 chaotic seconds “finding someone who” has the same song as them.
Some other “find someone who” examples are “has the same favorite musical artist as you,” “loves a musical genre that you also love,” and “knows all the words to a song that you know all the words to.” To shake things up, students CANNOT use the same person twice!
If you are looking for a more structured version of this activity, here is my version on TPT!
4. Improvise a “Singing Story.”
This activity is sure to get silly, and is easy to set up. All you need is a ball and students who are willing to sing! Start a story using only SINGING, the leave off on a cliffhanger. Throw the ball to a student (preferably your most eager singer) and have them continue this singing story. When they finish their part, they should throw it to another student, and this should continue until the singing story is complete!
This fun activity is meant to elicit singing and laughter from your class, and it is a great way to break up an otherwise too-long lesson.
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