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

The Unteachables Podcast

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!

👉 JOIN THE $1 KICKSTART! Click for more info and to jump in!

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

Chapters

1. Introduction to Classroom Management Kickstart (00:00:00)

2. Brain Breaks: Not Wasting Time, Building Relationships (00:05:19)

3. The Science Behind Brain Breaks (00:09:29)

4. Beat the Clock: Engaging Students' Thinking (00:14:39)

5. Rock Paper Scissors and Count to 20 (00:18:14)

6. Finding Joy in Teaching Again (00:22:39)