Lesson Plan

Brain Gym Lesson Plan

Students will engage in a 15-minute sequence of movement-based brain breaks to sharpen attention, speed up task-switching, and build organizational skills through structured warm-up cards, a relay challenge, and a focused breathing cooldown.

Strengthening executive functions early helps 2nd graders regulate attention, transition smoothly between tasks, and develop self-organization. Embedding fun routines supports classroom readiness and boosts academic and emotional success.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Brain Break Warm-Up

5 minutes

Step 2

Task-Switch Relay

7 minutes

Step 3

Focus Breathing Cool-Down

3 minutes

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Slide Deck

Brain Gym Warm-Up Overview

Welcome teachers! Introduce Brain Gym as a quick, fun routine to boost executive functions—attention, task‐switching, and organization—before diving into academic work. Highlight that this is Tier 1 support for all 2nd graders.

Materials & Preparation

Review and prepare all materials before students arrive. Use our deck colors (#B8E5D1, #9DD9C3, #82CDB6) on printed cards for visual consistency.

Brain Break Warm-Up (5 min)

Gather students standing in an open area. Model each movement clearly, use a timer, and encourage quick mental resets between cards.

Task-Switch Relay (7 min)

Divide class into teams of 4. Demonstrate a full relay leg. Emphasize teamwork, organized stations, and cheering peers on.

Focus Breathing Cool-Down (3 min)

Use a calm, measured tone. Show a visual (e.g., breathing circle) and invite students to feel their chests rise and fall.

Differentiation & Teacher Tips

Offer adaptations and supports to ensure every student succeeds. Reinforce positive behavior and celebrate effort.

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Worksheet

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Worksheet

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Worksheet

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Brain Gym

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