We're Noodling, Are You?

Have you heard about Go Noodle? It's certainly taking off in Teacher Land! I started using it with my students last week and they LOVE it. It couldn't have come at a better time either because we were in the loooong last week before spring break.


Go Noodle's all about "free brain breaks that help channel classroom energy for good" and how can you read that line and NOT want to give it a try? I certainly couldn't! They have a great introduction video, but honestly it's very intuitive. I'll give you the rundown.

First, you get to pick a class mascot who will grow along with your students as they use Go Noodle. Once you've maxed that one out, you get to start over with a new one. Here's an example, haha!

As you can see, our little buddy has grown already! He greets us each time we log in by saying something silly. As we complete brain breaks, our purple bar grows and so does he.

After we log in, we have a choice of what kinds of activities we'll do. There are calm, focus, and energizing activities depending on what I need.

In calm, students slowly breathe in and out as a bubble float from one state to another. After the bubble lands, we receive a post card with fun facts about that state. I try to have my students remember the facts until the end of the day and then we do a little review. They're getting better at holding the facts in their brain all day!

In focus, students work with Maximo the monkey on stretching activities that also require focus and balance. Some of these aren't easy! We're definitely getting better though.

Finally in energize, students get to boogie and play. They LOVE the funky chicken who teaches them to groove. Watching them do the robot was priceless!

There are also Zumba dances and athletic options.

I like Go Noodle because it gets my students up and moving. I use it after we've been sitting and focused for a while, like right after our 90 minute reading block. I also use it to get my students refocused at the end of the day. We transition to different classrooms for math and have an hour left of school after these groups. If I'm not careful, that can be a wasted hour after the transition. Doing a quick session of Go Noodle can get us back on track for the end of the day.

Several of my students were writing down the URL and asking if this would work at their house too. That's how much they like to use it! I don't share many pictures of my students on my blog here, but I couldn't resist this time. They are working it!

If you're using Go Noodle, how have you worked it into your day? If you haven't tried it yet, please do and them hop back here to tell us about it!