A series of often silly five-minute videos played between classroom lessons is making a big difference in Tennessee elementary schools.
- Teachers see firsthand how a GoNoodle break can help kids let out their excess energy before settling in to learn.
- Parents of students who take GoNoodle video breaks in their classrooms notice how quickly they learn their numbers and letters.
- Educators look at the big picture and see improved academic performance and easier classroom management among schools that incorporate GoNoodle video breaks into the day.
But what do kids think?
Better Tennessee spoke to Kendall Houston, fifth-grade student in Kristen Hehn’s class at Macon-Hall Elementary School in Memphis, to find out.
What it’s like to be a student in Ms. Hehn’s class
Kendall: We always work hard.
I like when we work in groups because it allows us to talk to our friends about what we are learning.
Ms. Hehn also rewards us when we do something well by giving us free time to talk or letting us GoNoodle.
Why it matters
Playing together gives children the chance to learn how to socialize, cooperate and share.
Click the photo to read Memphis elementary school teacher Kristen Hehn's GoNoodle success story.
What he likes most about GoNoodle breaks
Kendall: They let us get up out of our seats and dance!
We can get moving and get the energy to start our day.
Why it matters
Kids who are active have been shown to be more attentive during learning.
What his favorites are
Kendall: I really like the MooseTube channel and my favorite video is Wishy Washy Washerwoman.
It gets us moving and lets us get exercise.
Why it matters
Kids get into the habit of enjoying physical activity, which is important to maintaining good health.
What he learned while doing GoNoodle
Kendall: I’ve made new friends and talked to people in my class that I might not normally talk to.
I’ll stand next to someone I might not usually stand next to and notice that we are doing the same moves.
It’s cool to see that we’re more alike than I knew we were.
Learn more about how GoNoodle works
- The basic idea behind GoNoodle
- Teachers share how they use GoNoodle in the classroom and their biggest GoNoodle successes
- The connection between GoNoodle and academic performance
- The method behind creating an effective GoNoodle video
- Using GoNoodle at home
- How GoNoodle video breaks work
- One school’s GoNoodle experience
