The Unteachables Podcast

#138: Brain breaks that secretly boost behaviour (and help us reclaim a bit of teaching joy in the classroom)


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Ever feel like your class is one brain snap away from absolute chaos… or just asleep at the wheel?

In this episode, I’m giving you a front seat to one of the most powerful — and wildly underused — classroom management tools in your toolbox: brain breaks. But not just for the sake of fun. We’re talking strategic, rapport-building, energy-resetting magic that actually boosts learning, not wastes time.

This is Day 4 of the Kickstart (catch up on previous days if you missed them!) and today is all about what we do in the meaty middle of the lesson — when things can either hum along… or totally unravel. I’ll share the sneaky strategies I used (without knowing they were even strategies back then) to build connection, shift energy, and keep my most disengaged students coming back for more.

Spoiler alert: it's not about being the "cool teacher" — it’s about being a connected, present, values-led one.

Let’s roll the tape.

What you’ll learn:

  • What brain breaks actually are (and aren’t)
  • 3 go-to brain breaks Claire used to reset student energy on the fly
  • Why these simple strategies work (backed by brain science)
  • How to use them strategically to build rapport without losing instructional time
  • The “credibility flip” every teacher needs to know when transitioning from playful to teacher-led
  • Why this is classroom management gold — not fluff or filler

Have a question, comment, or just want to say hello? Drop us a text!

RESOURCES AND MORE SUPPORT:

  • Shop all resources
  • Join The Behaviour Club
  • My book! It’s Never Just About the Behaviour: A holistic approach to classroom behaviour management
  • The Low-Level Behaviour Bootcamp
  • Free guide: 'Chats that Create Change'

Connect with me:

  • Follow on Instagram @the.unteachables
  • Check out my website


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The Unteachables PodcastBy Claire English

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