I teach art, music, and leisure, so my classes are almost 35-minute-long brain breaks in themselves! However, my students have either incredibly short attention spans, or incredibly short fuses--or both!--and need frequent breaks. Over the years I've developed an arsenal of ways for them to have meaningful break time whenever needed. 1) My Cozy Corner is new this year and a big hit. It is in an area behind my student bookcases, and is outfitted with all sorts of cozy features, including twinkle lights, fidgets, and pillows. Even my middle school boys love this area! 2) This was my first 'early finisher' station in art. It holds a variety of paper-based activities. I freshen it up seasonally, and throw in any leftover spark work (beginning of class activity), too. 3) I added my sensory boxes when I noticed how much some of my kiddos with severe autism enjoyed sifting through my button bin. Now we have rainbow rice, rainbow noodles, buttons, pom poms, you name it...
School-Based Music Therapy Ideas