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!
This can't be free, can it?? It looks amazing, Christi! I can't wait to check it out! Thanks for sharing!
~Erin
Mrs. Beattie's Classroom
Yes! Tons of free content. There is an upgrade option, but everything I blogged is FREE!
We used it today and the kids LOVE it!! Thanks again for sharing! 🙂
~Erin
Mrs. Beattie's Classroom
I've been just using the Zumba type ones. How do you find the calm and focus ones?
Check out "Airtime" and "Maximo" on the main page above the zumba videos.
I use Go Noodle in my class now too! It's wonderful and my students absolutely love it! The only thing else I would add to this FREE site is more yoga, seated, and calming type videos! The energetic videos are fantastic, but there are times where I could use more "calming" brain breaks!
Jacqueline
I is for Inspire
Great idea!
I use Go Noodle and do the Freeze activities… they continue to learn while still moving! We've done telling time and multiplication the most and it's so funny how they freeze and then yell the answer and point at the board. These are also nice if you are extra short on time because they are typically only a minute- a perfect transition time!
Kelli
Tales of a Teacher
Oooh, haven't tried that one yet!
I have been using Go Noodle in my classroom since last week… It is so much fun! We use it when we are starting our morning and when we are wrapping up our 2 hour stretch of classroom time. I will have to try the airtime again… I gave up after what seemed like 5 minutes of breathing in and breathing out. Haha! Looks interesting though!
Dirt Road Teacher
I like it because I encourage my students to focus on the in/out pattern even after the video stops saying "in/out" so they really have to concentrate.
This is awesome! I've never heard of it and can't believe it's free! I'm checking it out today. Thanks for sharing such a fun, engaging site
Let me know what you think!
We've been using it for about a week too. My kiddos love the Happy song, and I love how easy it is for transitions! I'm going to llink this on my blog today, Thanks for sharing, Christi!
"Happy" is a big favorite here too. 🙂
We LOVE GoNoodle!! What a great post and description you wrote about it!!!
Melissa
Keep Calm and Love First Grade
Thanks! Just love getting the word out about it. 🙂
Saw your post and immediately signed up! I've done it with two classes already this morning!
-Maria
Woohoo, love to hear that!
This looks great…thanks for sharing!!!
This looks awesome!! Thanks for sharing, I can't wait to sign up!
Jamie
I just signed up for it. Thanks for the info.
This looks fantastic and like so much fun. I have been stretching and practicing breathing with my kids every morning and now I am sure they will love this. Can't wait to try it after Easter break! Thank you for sharing.
We found this in time for state testing! My students love it!
Can't wait to try this! Thanks for always sharing!
((Hugs))
Tiffany
I just blogged about it a couple of weeks ago because we are LOVING it. My kids are absolutely crazy for it. They do it at home! I think I need the yoga more than they do…ahhh, peace. GoNoodle is AWESOME. Love your post with all the great pictures.