Go Noodle!! and a Giveaway

Every now and then, along comes something that changes your classroom. For me last year, this was Go Noodle. I am extremely excited to be sharing the ways I love using Go Noodle in my classroom....and there may even be a swag of Go Noodle goodies you can win!

Why do I think Go Noodle is so great?

Its the perfect way to get little (and not so little) bodies moving and ready for the day! In my Kindergarten classes, I would put this on first thing in the morning to Get Your Body Moving (one of our favourite Koo Koo Kangaroo tracks)

It's the perfect Brain Break!

When your students are transitioning from lesson to lesson, why not give them a break with a Go Noodle song? It might be a great opportunity for a KidzBop song, or time for some Zumba. Go Noodle gives kids a chance to recoup and refocus while having heaps of fun!

There is more to Go Noodle!

Another favourite of mine are the quiet, calming videos that can help your students calm down after break times. One of my fail safe Go Noodle clips for this purpose is titled Flow. It incorporates breathing with positive messages and is a perfect time for students (and teachers) to reflect. 

Add your own clips!

With the YouTube feature, you can add your favourite clips to your Go Noodle account so you can continue to help your champ grow. The kids love what happens to their champs as it goes up levels!

So those are a few reasons I love Go Noodle in my classroom! How about you?

Now how about that swag? I have 25 Go Noodle pencils to give away - and everyone can enter! Go Noodle will ship anywhere in the world!!!!

Enter using the Rafflecopter below!! Entries close on the 11th September. Please leave me your email!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

And one more Go Noodle goody for you! Grab your own Go Noodle swag in the Go Noodle shop and use the discount code BTSwithGoNoodle for 15% off!

Class scavenger hunt {freebie}

We are going into week 2 of our new school year and I am looking forward to getting my new class. Besides setting rules and expectations, I am hoping to foster a positive classroom vibe to really make our year successful! This one of the activities I am planning this week.


Students go around and find people who fit each category. I usually make a rule that you can only have each persons name ONCE! This encourages more conversations and mingling among the kids. Click the pic below to download the file. There is two versions included - the one pictured and another, more generic version.

I hope you can use it and your students enjoy getting to know each other :)

Do you GoNoodle?

Does your class need breaks between lessons? Sometimes they need to get moving to 'wake up' and sometimes they need they calming down time. GoNoodle might just be the answer!

What is GoNoodle?

It is a FREE brain break website which is used by teachers all around the world! The brain breaks range from dances (KooKooKangaRoo are awesome!) YouTube videos, athletics and even a calming series called Flow, you will find something to suit your class.

Why GoNoodle?

It is super easy to use. Just pick a champ, pick a brain break and watch your minutes accumulate. Your kids will stay focused (or even regain focus) AND have fun! Another great thing is that you can access great kid-approved brain breaks in one place so it is no-prep and ready to go!

We particularly LOVE Ninja Training and Dinosaur Stomp where the kids get to get up and dance, by following the simple and easy to remember moves.

Does GoNoodle interfere with learning time?

Not at all! We use GoNoodle as a lesson break or transition into a new activity. It help us settle down or get our bodies moving again after a long session on the floor. Most of the brain breaks are 5 minutes or less and are perfect to slot into those little spaces of time.

Here is our current champ!

How does Go Noodle benefit my class?

I have found that the best part of GoNoodle is the participation from all kids. As well as keeping them engaged and active, it can help kids achieve recommended daily activity levels without them even realising it! Incidental exercise like this certainly adds up.

What kind of brain breaks can I pick from?

The totally FREE brain breaks range from calming breathing exercises (like Flow which we LOVE) to yoga-like stretching with Maximo, fun and easy dances with KooKooKangaRoo (make one of your first brain breaks Ninja Training and your boys will be hooked!) and athletics training like sprint, hurdles, javelin and long jump! With many ways to keep kids engaged, you will be able to find brain breaks that your kids love and mark them as a favourite to come back to again and again!

Why not try it? Remember it is FREE! Click on the picture below or HERE to go and sign up your own class.

"Dream English" - check this out

I stumbled upon these videos purely by accident! My teaching partner on my day off had found this kind of weird guy singing kind of weird songs BUT the kiddies LOVED him!

I've been using them as a brain break or a quick wiggle, but he has some songs you could link to learning.

So without further ado, I introduce.....

Dream English

This is one of our current faves

Go and check out his videos if you are after some brain breaks. I would probably say they were suitable for Kinder and Year 1.

Let me know what you think !