Going Crazy - This is so silly, but my students loved it, and it was a great way to relieve stress! Begin by crossing your right leg over your left knee. Place your right elbow on your knee and prop your chin in that palm. Begin saying the sentence below:

   I am slowly going crazy. 1 -2 -3 -4 -5 -6 -switch.

   (On the word “switch,” switch positions by crossing your left leg on your right knee and placing your left elbow on your knee.)

   Crazy going slowly am I. 6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 -switch. (Continue singing the song as you switch positions every time you sing the word “switch.”)

State Changes - Wake up children’s brains by:

Changing the lighting, opening a window, etc. Letting them off their shoes, sit on the floor, or lay on their tummies. Using “aroma therapy.” (Spray peppermint or citrus.) Giving them chewing gum. (Increases blood flow in the head!)

Rhyme Time - Clap and march as you sing traditional nursery rhymes to one of these tunes:

          “100 Bottles of Coke on the Wall”
          “Yankee Doodle”
          “The Sailor Song”

Chop Wood - Chop wood! Put your hands over your head as if holding an ax. Pretend to chop by bringing arms down and bending over as you say, “Aaayah!” Do this about ten times and you’ll be amazed at the result!

H 2 O - Drink some water.

Ha-Ha-He-He - Let children tell a jokes or riddles.

Breathing - Have children breath in slowly through their noses as you count 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and then out through their mouths.