Easing Stress and Anxiety with GoNoodle

Did you see my post on the GoNoodle Blog?  You can read it here as well:
There is no denying the fact that stress is all around us.  As adults, we are more aware of what causes us stress, and how we can cope with it.  As a working mom, I am stressed all the time.  However, I have learned that active movement and breathing exercises help me cope with it.
Unfortunately, this is not the case for many children.  Children are inundated with demands and stimuli constantly; it is honestly never ending.  Due to this, there has been a rise in childhood stress and anxiety with little understanding as to what to do.  It is however important to note that some stress is good!  Learning is stressful, but the art of learning and having a growth mindset is imperative.

So, how do we as parents help our children tame and tackle this anxiety they feel? We use GoNoodle as a tool!  GoNoodle is packed with breathing exercises, focus tools, and intention setters to help with the stress and anxiety that children deal with.

Here are a list of my top 5 GoNoodle videos for easing stress and anxiety in children:
1. Rainbow Breath - this guided breathing exercise provides a beautiful visual of taking a breath to eliminate the stress.
2. Begin Again - in 3 minutes and 26 seconds, children are guided through a refocus exercise to strengthen their growth mindset.  This is the perfect video to do with your children before sitting down to work on homework, or before they leave for school.  I love having a conversation about how the video helped as well.
3. Swirling - just like numbers 1 and 2, this is a video under the FLOW Channel.  Swirling is a focus tool that teaches kiddos how to take all the chaos around them and let it settle into a quiet pile.

4. The Think About It channel!  Seriously, every video on this channel is AMAZING!  I honestly use them myself.  They are one minute intention setters that allow children, or adults for that matter, to create a focus and intention to their day.  These are perfect to do before leaving for school in the morning, plus they also provide a great conversation starter after school.

5.   Hug It Out, with Maximo - before or after a stressful event everyone needs a hug.  Maximo guides kiddos through mindful movement while incorporating cross-lateral movement, an important motion for brain development.
I hope that you and your children find some success with the videos that I have mentioned.  If you try any of these or use other ones at home let me know in the comments!  Happy Movement!!!

Using GoNoodle to Support the Workshop Model

There is no doubt about it, the workshop model is a form of best practice that many of us educators practice.  What is the workshop model you ask?  The workshop model is a teaching structure that allows students to take charge or their own learning.  This structure is composed of three parts: Mini lesson, Work time, and Reflection/Debrief.  Through this structure students learn to have a growth mindset and to be responsible for their own learning.  As the teacher, we are able to work with students individually and in small groups in order to provide learning at each student's zone of proximal development.
So how do you keep students on task and using their growth mindset during reading, math, and writers' workshop?  Well, engaging lessons for one thing.  Choices during work time for another, but the one thing that supports not only the students' attentiveness, but also the teacher's is GoNoodle.
Over the years, as I have developed a stronger workshop model in my classroom, I have learned that GoNoodle is the piece that holds it all together.  Let's walk through the three components so that I can explain which videos I use and why...shall we?!?

Mini lesson

My goal with my mini lessons is to hook my students, but keep them working toward the lesson outcome...enter Maximo and Think About It.  These two channels are packed with videos to keep my kiddos engaged in my mini lesson.  I love that both channels also allow us to set an intention.  I often use the language used in the Think About It videos throughout the day to remind my students of their learning potential.

Work Time

As we transition from the mini lesson to work time, I make sure to do two brain breaks, one to get the wiggles out and the second to calm the students back to a focused learning state.  My go to for wiggle release is Koo Koo Kanga Roo, and lately, the Trolls Can't Stop this Feeling.
Right before starting my conferences and small group instruction, we typically use the YouTube channel.  I have been able to add content specific songs and dances that connect directly to our learning targets.  There are tons of fabulous math videos that reinforce counting, numbers pairs, place value, and so much more.
Did you know that you can add your own videos to GoNoodle?  Just head to the YouTube channel, click on the top left box, and add the YouTube URL from the video of your choosing.
As students work, and I meet with students, I am able to monitor their noise and frustration level and determine if we need another GoNoodle break.  I love using Dance Party as a quick way to refocus the whole group, and I love getting up and dancing, too.  Plus, who doesn't love seeing their champ pop into the dance party?!?!  I even added my son's champ to my class's Dance Party for this reason.

Reflection/Debrief 

The reflection can often be forgotten in lessons, but I have learned that it holds just as much value as the other two pieces of the workshop model.  The reflection allows students to have a sense of closure from the lesson, and it allows the teacher to formally and informally observe where the next lesson is going to go.  As a class, we rewatch our Think About It from our mini lesson and reflect on the intention that we initially set.   This has taught my class that there is a purpose to our brain breaks.  We don't just do them to do them.

I am so grateful for the sanity that GoNoodle brings to my classroom on a daily basis!  Do you teach using the Workshop Model?  What are your go to GoNoodle channels and videos?  You can also head over to the GoNoodle Community page, on Facebook and share your ideas there.

Supporting ELLs with GoNoodle

Building confidence with my ELLs (English Language Learners) is one of my greatest challenges each year.  I work at a school where over 38 languages are spoken, 8 in my own classroom.  With dynamics like this integrating language throughout the day is imperative.
Let me back up a moment, those of you that have been following my blog for awhile know that I have been teaching for over a decade.  My experience started in Michigan, moved to California, and has made a home in Oregon.  I have taught 5th grade, 1st grade, and also kinder through 5th grade ESL.  My experiences have opened my eyes to the incredible diversity we are faced with each day.
My time as a K-5 ESL teacher strengthened my language skills as an educator and overall human.  I have had to become confident in my learning of languages and this is a skill I am constantly working on with my ELLs and EOs.
When I first started using GoNoodle years ago, I noticed and instant confidence among my ELLs.  I started paying closer attention to it and here is what I learned...
1. Song is vital for language growth.  We all know that singing songs is a great way to practice language, but singing and dancing with your peers is one of the greatest ways to feel included.  GoNoodle is packed with songs from Pop See Ko to I Like to Move It.  Who doesn't love to get up, move a little or a lot, and sing your heart out?
2. Word Jam and Bodyspell are the greatest brain breaks for reinforcing vocabulary and phonics.  Both of these brain breaks provide direct language support.  Word Jam teaches students new vocabulary while acting out the words.  We are all about fun Total Physical Response (TPR) in my classroom.  Even better is the fact that I can use the vocabulary words provided or customize my own.  I love adding new words from our PYP units to support my ELLs.
Bodyspell is whole body phonics practice.  I have this brain break on as students enter each day.  Plus, I have added each week's phonics pattern.  This way my kiddos practice their spelling words and phonics patterns every morning.  I have seen so much spelling growth since implementing this brain break daily.

Practicing this week's phonics pattern with Bodyspell.

Practicing our long u words.

Acting out some new vocabulary with Word Jam.

3. Learning needs to be connected to real word experiences.  We all know how important it is for students to transfer their learning from the classroom to the world and vice versa.  How about using GoNoodle to help?  My champs LOVE the Run With Us channel.  We have been working on measurement in math, so I figured I would connect the two.  We learned how to Long Jump and reviewed the importance of standard units of measurement.  We then became Olympic athletes and put our GoNoodle learning and mathematical brains to work in a long jump competition.  Students estimated their jumps and recorded their actual lengths on the sheet below (click on the image to grab a copy).

inches template

meters template

I am so proud of the confidence and language growth my students have already made this year.  I can't wait to see where our brain breaks take us.  I would love to know how you support your ELLs.  Do your ELLs love a particular brain break?
Be sure to head over to GoNoodle's Instagram account.  I am taking over so you can see my champs in action!

Spreading the LOVE

Even on maternity leave, I am loving GoNoodle!  I may not be able to get my wiggles out with my students right now, but I can still dance my stress out.  I just found out that I have been chosen to be a GoNoodle Ambassador.  I am so honored and excited to be a part of this team.

Expect to see some more GoNoodle love throughout the coming year!

Happy Noodling!!

GoNoodle Blogger Blitz!

GoNoodle has been a staple in my classroom for going on three school years.  It is how I start my students' day, give them needed brain breaks, and wrap up our day's learning.  You may be thinking...How do you have the time in your day for all of these breaks?  Well here are my two cents...take them or leave them...
Giving students breaks throughout the day allows them to have the necessary time they need to process information.  Too often, we talk, talk, talk, show, show, show and never give the time needed to process, process, process.  GoNoodle provides fun interactive breaks to give my students' brains the time they need to take it all in.
GoNoodle allows my students to start their day on a positive note.
Think About It provides a quite way for my kiddos to set an intention for the day.  I often feel like I need this more than my students.

We also use Maximo to start our day.  His guidance allows us to wake up and get that much needed oxygen to our brains.

For those MUCH needed wiggle breaks, I always turn to my favorite duo, Koo Koo Kanga Roo.  We were lucky enough to have them perform at our school last year.  You should swing over to my Facebook page and check out my Pop See Ko moves at 35 weeks pregnant!  These guys know how to get our wiggles out and wake us up!

As I mentioned before, I also use GoNoodle at the end of the day.  I let my students pick which breaks they want to do.  I have found this to be a positive way to bring everyone back together once more before heading home.

I am so excited to be linking up with GoNoodle and so many fabulous bloggers to share how we are using GoNoodle this year!

Plus, one lucky reader gets to win these AWESOME GoNoodle pencils.  Just leave a comment telling me how you plan to use GoNoodle in your classroom this year.  I will choose one random winner from the comments below.

BONUS!!! Have you checked out the GoNoodle shop?!?  There are so many cool items.  Head over and grab some goodies.  Make sure to use the discount code BTSwithGoNoodle for 15% off your purchase September 4th-11th.

Happy Noodling!!!

Staying Active with GoNoodle

We all know that we live in a world of less active children.  This shift from playing outside to playing video games inside has not only messed with the health of our nation, but it has drastically taken a toll on the education of American Youth.  I am linking up with GoNoodle to share how I have been trying to fix this never-ending battle.

Getting students up and moving is not new information.  Teachers have always known that students perform better when they are DOING the learning.  As educations we have taken class upon class on how to engage our students and have them be active participants, but where were the classes on activity and brain development?  Thinking back, I had one class during my Master's Program on "How the Special Needs Brain Works," and I attended a BrainGym workshop, but that was it.  It wasn't until my friend Britney, from Tailor Made Teaching, mentioned GoNoodle that I discovered the tool that would change my classroom forever.  Not just my classroom, but my students' well beings.
GoNoodle is the active tool that students need to give their brain a break and to get their blood flowing. It is the device that makes transitions smooth, while never wasting a minute.  It allows students to stretch their minds and their muscles.

But, it also allows students to move and experience the joy that movement brings to our bodies and minds.

The icing on the cake is that your students can use GoNoodle at home, too.  It is music to my ears when students walk in the classroom and say, "I GoNoodled at home yesterday!"  Not only are they excited, but I am thrilled to know that this healthy choice has been an impact on them as well.

How do you promote activity in your classroom?  Do you use GoNoodle?

Back To School 2014

We are officially back to school!  It was an awesome first week with my new firsties.  They are too cute and so excited for a new year of learning.
We jumped right into discussions of using kind words, how to make new friends, and appropriate school behavior.  It is thanks to the books Chrysanthemum, Ribbit!, and Don't Squeal Unless It's a Big Deal that these concepts were practiced and taught.  We even reread Chrysanthemum by using our QR codes and listening to the story.  As we "re-listened" students took turns crumbling and smoothing out Chrysanthemum's heart to show that even if we apologize hurtful words make a mark on our heart.

You can check out my in depth post from last year for more details.

We then made a promise to not use hurtful words and signed our promise with bandaids.

Yes, our week was full of rules, routines, and community building, but I made sure to allow time for introducing GoNoodle.  It has been a hit since their first bout of Wiggle It!  

I am so grateful for the excitement and encouragement that GoNoodle brings to my students.  Are your students GoNoodling?  If not get on it!!!  You will be the happiest teacher!!

How has your first week (or month) been?

Setting Up GoNoodle Expectations

I am SOOOOO EXCITED for the first GoNoodle linky!  With one week before I am back to school, and two weeks before my kiddos arrive, my mind is racing with everything I need to get done.  One thing that I keep thinking about is how I am going to launch GoNoodle with my new class.  

I didn't start using GoNoodle until mid year with my last group, and they were already familiar with Brain Breaks, just not the amazing, fun, interactive, digital kind.  However, the excitement of Maximo, Koo Koo Kangaroo, and Airtime adventures made it easy grab my students' attention.  With their excitement in the palm of my hand there was still one more thing that had to take place...introducing GoNoodle Expectations.  These expectations allowed for quick and easy transitions, positive Dojo Points and an overall happy brain break.

I know that starting off with GoNoodle Expectations will be my first step this year.  The poster above serves as an easy checklist and reminder.  You can grab a copy of this poster by clicking on the image or here.
Students are assigned a GoNoodle spot for a couple of reasons.  This allows for quick transitions before and after brain breaks. These assigned spots also eliminate the need for students to stand way to close to each other, or side-by-side with their best buddy.
Teaching students to focus on them self gets the kiddos using each GoNoodle brain break correctly.  If students are worried about looking silly in front of their peers they are never going to experience the benefits of Wiggle It or Empire State.  By only worrying about their own actions they can reap the true benefits of GoNoodle.
The last two expectations are self explanatory, I hope anyway.
Once our expectations are in order, we will be GoNoodling up a storm.  Be sure to follow my blog for the latest on GoNoodle fun throughout the year.

What are your GoNoodle Expectations?  

Don't forget to check out all of the other great GoNoodle ideas in the first linky!

A Dojo of NoOdles

For the last several years, I have used ClassDojo in my classroom.  It started as a way for me to monitor and track classroom behaviors, but it has transformed into my data collection, parent communication, stick pulling, an incentive tool, all around a handy dandy everything.  Being that my iPad is glued to my side, in my classroom, documenting behaviors has been easy.  However, when GoNoOdle entered my life and my classroom I knew I needed some way to bridge it into my ClassDojo world...

ENTER....GoNoOdle points!

I of course had to use the dino icon for the positive points, being that DinoStomp is the greatest thing ever!!!

Every once in a while, I have a kiddo who stands there during a brain break and doesn't participate.  I fully understand that everyone does things in their own time, but ClassDojo allows me to document these moments.  This data allows me to communicate behaviors with parents and check for patterns in the student's behavior.
Speaking of communicating with parents, did you know that you can send messages through ClassDojo?  You can send out whole class or student specific messages.

You can also add comments to behaviors that students earn.

That is my comment down there on the bottom!

I also use ClassDojo to pick students to choose the GoNoOdle break that we will do.  ClassDojo has a random button that does what it says, it picks a random student.  It makes choosing brain breaks, calling on students, as easy a clicking a button.

I love being able to use these two tools together.

If you haven't signed up for ClassDojo or GoNoOdle yet do it now!  They are both free tools that have the ability to transform your classroom?

How do you use these tools?

GoNoOdle Goals - Making Cross-Curricular Connections

I truly believe in cross-curricular connections.  In my mind, education and learning need to be real and not cut-and-dry.  I do my best to embrace teachable moments and on-the-spot learning opportunities.  It can be tricky to bring the entire class back from some of these "detours," but there are ways; GoNoOdle being one of them.
If you are not familiar with GoNoOdle, it is a free site filled with brain breaks to use with your students.  There are a variety of energizing and calming activities to do with your kiddos.
GoNoOdle has become and integral part of my day, so I knew I needed to start creating more connections to it.  Since this year's focus is strongly on math, I decided to make GoNoOdle a part of our daily math meeting.  At the beginning of each day, my students and I meet to create our goal for the day; this is the total minutes we believe the entire class will/can brain break for.  

 As we complete brain breaks, we round the time to the nearest minute and record the rounded time on our total log.  The times are continuously added together creating our total for the day.

 My firsties LOVE beating their daily goals!  I LOVE connecting number sense, estimating, time reading, rounding, and addition skills into these amazing brain breaks!

Click on the pictures below to grab a copy of the goal sheet and total time poster for your class.

Do you GoNoOdle?  How do you connect GoNoOdle to learning throughout the day?  I would love to hear about your brain break experiences.

Five for Friday - Teacher Appreciation

Wow!  It has been an amazing week!  I love this time of year, well sort of.  I am amazed by the growth in my kiddos, but freaking out about how much needs to be done in such a short period of time.  I am linking up with Doodle Bugs Teaching to give you a glimpse of my week.  Be sure to stop back here this weekend for a fun announcement!

1. GoNoOdle!
Can I just say, "Thank you!  GoNoOdle team, you have saved my teaching life!"  These brain breaks have transformed my students; we all know how important focusing is this time of year.

I can't get over how much they ALL enjoy dancing!  I love when my boys get into it!

2. Interactive Anchor Charts

I love the interaction and reflection that goes into these anchor charts.  We are able to refer back to them, make adjustments, and learn from each other.  I seriously need an endless supply of sticky notes!

3. Math Centers

I love looking up from my small groups and seeing my kiddos working together.  Here are two of my girls working on my newest math pack.  I am so proud of them.

4. Book Club
The fabulous Courtney, from Ramona Recommends is hosting the second installment of her book club. I am so excited to read this month's book!  Kevin Henkes is one of my favorite authors.  Be sure to swing over to her blog to check out the details.

5. It's giveaway time!!

I am so grateful for all of your love and support on Instagram!  To say, "Thank You!" I am hosting a giveaway FILLED with my favorite things.  Be sure to stop back by my blog and Instagram this weekend for all of the details.

Happy Friday and Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!!!!