Boost Online Student Engagement with the "Coffee Break" Hack

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Every online teacher knows the struggle—there comes a point in a lesson when student energy drops, focus fades, and engagement feels impossible to maintain. Recently, I read an article by Sarah Morris about a teacher named Lisa Cole, who introduced a brilliant solution: the "Coffee Break." Originally designed for in-person classrooms, this strategy can be easily adapted for online teaching to create an engaging, structured brain break that refreshes students while reinforcing learning.

Brain break ideas, classroom, online teaching


What is the "Coffee Break" Hack?

Lisa Cole's "Coffee Break" uses Google Slides to structure a quick, engaging brain break. Instead of pushing through low-energy moments, she introduces fun and meaningful content, such as:

  • Daily Jokes or Memes – Lighthearted humor to boost mood.

  • Check-In Scales – A way for students to express how they’re feeling.

  • Current News or Fun Facts – Short, relevant updates to spark curiosity.

  • Motivational Quotes or Videos – Inspiring content to re-energize students.

In an online setting, this approach can serve as more than just a break—it can be a structured way to foster connection, reinforce key concepts, and make learning more interactive.

How to Implement the Coffee Break in Online Teaching

  1. Create Your Slides

    • Use free Google Slides templates from Slidesgo or Slides Carnival to create a visually appealing format.

    • Duplicate a template for each day of the week to maintain consistency.

  2. Add Engaging Content

    • Include a Check-In Scale to gauge students' moods.

    • Add a Joke of the Day or a Meme related to your subject.

    • Feature a Quick News Update or a Fun Science/History Fact that sparks discussion.

    • Embed a short motivational video or music clip to create a positive atmosphere.

    • Use a “Which One Doesn’t Belong?” puzzle or a simple poll question to engage students.

  3. Make It Interactive

    • Post the slides in Google Classroom or your LMS so students can access them anytime.

    • Use live polls, reaction emojis, or chat discussions to get students involved.

    • Allow students to vote on memes, submit their own jokes, or suggest topics for future breaks.

  4. Present the Slides During Class

    • Use the slides as a transition between lesson sections.

    • Dedicate 3-5 minutes for the break to keep it structured but fun.

    • Encourage students to engage by commenting in the chat or reacting with emojis.

  5. Let Students Take Ownership

    • Once the routine is established, invite students to host the Coffee Break by creating their own slides.

    • Rotate student presenters each week to increase participation and a sense of community.

Why This Works for Online Teaching

✅ Boosts Engagement – A fun break resets focus, making students more receptive to learning.
✅ Builds Classroom Community – Interactive slides create shared experiences and strengthen student-teacher connections.
✅ Improves Organization – Daily slides can also serve as a place for reminders, learning objectives, or announcements.
✅ Fosters Inclusivity – Students who prefer working at their own pace can access the slides later through Google Classroom.

Tips to Customize Your Coffee Break

  • Add an attendance check-in slide.

  • Use GIFs, polls, and clickable links for added interactivity.

  • Keep up with pop culture to make your slides relatable.

  • Adjust the timing—use it as an opener, mid-lesson reset, or closer.

The “Coffee Break” hack isn’t just a fun distraction—it’s a powerful engagement tool that can transform your online classroom. By creating an enjoyable, predictable moment in each lesson, you’ll find that students stay more focused, connected, and motivated to learn. Give it a try and see the difference in your next online class! 🚀



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