Brain Games Old & New:
Enhancing Connections Between
Movement & Learning
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Make
A
Brain
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Brain Function:
3 Dimensions
LATERALITY: Left & Right
read, write, listen, or speak
INTEGRATION
CENTERING: Top & Bottom
feelings & emotions
ORGANIZATION
FOCUS: Front & Back
comprehension (blend details for meaning)
COORDINATION & FOCUS
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

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Growing New Connections
Exercise optimizes the environment in
the brain to help cells grow & prosper
Can WE Change
the Brains of our
Students’?
YES…through everyday
experiences!
The brain responds like
muscles, growing with use,
withering with inactivity
LEFT SIDE/RIGHT SIDE
BRAIN GAMES
Face Touch & Index Finger
Thumb & Index Finger
Got Cha’
Letter Spots
Thumb & Pinkie
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Letter Spots
A= Right Shoulder
B= Right Ear
C= Nose
D= Left Ear
E= Left Shoulder
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Bead
Ace
Bad
Bed
Cab,
Ed
Dab
Bade
Ade
FRONT/BACK
BRAIN GAMES
Pencil Top
Star & the Octopus
Paper Twirling
Arm Wrap
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Top/Bottom
Brain Games
 Circle Name
 Pat Head &
Rub Stomach
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Elbow to Knee Tap
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BIHEMISPHERIC
LATERALIZTION
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The midline is either a bridge or a barrier to
learning. From the midline of the bridge, we can
see the whole of the “landscape”…the midfield.
Cross Lateralization
Brain Games
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Nose & Ear Touch
Finger Find
Figure 8
Got Cha’…Again
Slap Count
Alphabet Clap
Shoe Tie
Cross Lateralization
Brain Games
Finger Aerobics Ripple (cross arms)
Thumb & Pinkie
X Bob & Wiggle
Slap Count Say 21
Figure Eights
Pretzel
18 Bizz-Buzz
FIGURE 8 MAT
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How to Use Brain Games
When to use:
Where to Use:
Other Resources:
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Prior to staring lesson (Shoe Tie)
Instant Activity (Criss-Cross Clap)
Brain Break during lesson (Figure 8)
Culminating Activity (Slap Count & Say 21)
Physical Education (Hand Shake)
Classroom Brain Breaks (Pretzel)
Recess (Alphabet Clap)
Lunch Room (Finger Find)
Waiting (Thumb & Index Finger)
Brain Games for Learning
National Geographic TV: Brain Games
(Mondays @ 9:00)
Lumosity
Brain HQ by Posit Science
Fit Brain
We know that intelligence is not
merely a mental phenomenon
and that the mind cannot be
educated without the
participation of the body.
Marc Jeannerod
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