Toolshop Protocol Lesson Plan Tier 2 Small Group Counseling Protocol
Flexible Thinkers Toolshop
Target: Grades K–2
Duration: 30–35 Mins
Group Size: 3–5 Students
Protocol Purpose & Rationale
Young children frequently experience distress, meltdowns, or task refusal when expected classroom routines alter abruptly (e.g., indoor recess, substitute teacher, switched specials). This protocol translates abstract executive function skills into tangible "repair shop" actions, shifting students from a frozen "Rock Brain" to a resilient "Playdough Brain".
The Rusty Rock Brain
Hard, stiff, refuses to bend. Breaks or cracks when things change unexpectedly.
Sensation: Clenched fists, tight jaw, stubborn stomps.
Self-talk: "No! It has to be this way forever!"
The Playdough Brain
Squishy, stretchy, and molds to new shapes when surprises bump into our day.
Sensation: Loose shoulders, deep belly breath, open palms.
Self-talk: "This isn't what I planned, but I can adapt!"
Session Flow & Time Allocation
5 Mins
Toolbox Check-In
Tactile dough vs rock pass
10 Mins
Interactive Slides
Meet the 4 Mindset Tools
12 Mins
Gears & Glitches
Hands-on scenario repair
8 Mins
Bend & Mend Sheet
Personal tool pledge
Counselor Kit Materials No complex setup required
• 1 lump clay/playdough + 1 real rock
• "Gears and Glitches" Sorting Activity
• "Bend and Mend" Student Sheets
Facilitation Guide & Scripts
The 4-Step "Fix-It" Framework
Counselor Action Guide
1 Spot the Glitch (Name the Change)
Mindful Awareness
Prompt the child to state objectively what just changed without catastrophizing.
Counselor Script: "Hold up your inspector glasses! A glitch just bumped our plan. What was the old plan, and what is the new surprise?"
2 Check the Engine (Somatic Body Scan)
Self-Regulation
Guide students to feel where rigidity lives in their body (jaw, fists, chest, shoulders).
Counselor Script: "Is your engine revving too hot? Squeeze your hands into tight rocks... now melt them into soft warm dough. Exhale a long sigh!"
3 Open the Toolbelt (Pick a Flex Tool)
Cognitive Reframing
Select one of four primary coping tools from the Toolshop: The Plan-B Wrench , The Magnifying Glass , The Elastic Band , or The Helper Whistle .
Counselor Script: "Our original road is blocked. Let's reach into our toolbelt! Can we build a Plan B, or do we stretch our patience band?"
4 Shift the Gear (Action & Praise)
Behavioral Execution
Take the first concrete micro-step into the new activity and celebrate the mental bend.
Counselor Script: "Click! You just shifted gears. Give your brain a high-five for being bendy!"
Developmental Adaptations
For Kindergarten: Use physical props (real rubber bands, dough). Focus on "Stop-Squeeze-Melt" and single-word choices ("Playdough or Rock?").
For 1st–2nd Grade: Encourage verbal generation of "Plan B" alternatives and self-monitoring ratings from 1 (mild glitch) to 5 (big emergency).
Exit Reflection Routine (2 Minutes):
Pass the tactile playdough around the circle. Each child says: "When things change today, I can be flexible like playdough by [taking 3 breaths / trying Plan B]!"
Flexible Thinkers Slide Deck Brain Fix-It Station
Counseling Group
The Flexible Thinkers Toolshop
Learning how to stretch, bend, and shift gears when surprises happen!
Grades K–2 Cognitive Flexibility Ready to build! 🛠️
Brain Check-In
Which Brain Are You Using Today?
The Rock Brain
🪨
Hard, stuck, and refuses to move. When plans change, it gets angry or cracks!
How it sounds:
"NO! It MUST be my way right now!"
The Playdough Brain
✨
Squishy, soft, and stretchy! It can mold into a brand new fun shape when surprised.
How it sounds:
"That was unexpected, but I can adapt!"
💡 We all get stuck like a rock sometimes. The good news? Rocks can be softened!
Caution: Glitch Ahead!
What Is a Schedule Glitch?
Rainy Day Recess
We can't go to the swings, so we play board games indoors instead.
Guest Teacher
Our regular teacher is sick, and a new kind helper is leading the class.
Swapped Specials
Gym was supposed to happen, but today we get to explore Art first!
Glitches happen every single day. They are not emergencies!
The Repair Kit
Meet Your 4 Pocket Tools
Plan-B Wrench
Builds a new idea when Plan A is blocked!
"What can I do next?"
Elastic Band
Stretches your patience so you don't snap!
"Breathe & stretch!"
Detective Lens
Checks if this is a little problem or huge!
"Is everyone safe?"
Helper Whistle
Asks a grown-up for help when feeling stuck!
"Can you help me shift?"
Which tool would you pick first when your routine changes?
Group Challenge
Let's Fix A Glitch Together!
🧩
The Sudden Glitch:
"Your favorite blue swing is taken at recess!"
🪨 The Rock Brain says:
"Recess is totally ruined! I'm crossing my arms and not playing!"
✨ The Playdough Brain says:
"I'll play slide tag first (Plan B!), and take a turn on the swings later!"
How does your body feel when you choose the Playdough way?
Toolshop Graduate
The Flexible Thinker Pledge
🛠️ 🧠 ⭐
Gears And Glitches Activity Small Group Repair Mat
The Brain Fix-It Workbench
Name:
How to Play: Draw a Glitch Card from Page 2. Place it in Slot 1. Pick a Tool Token for Slot 2. Then describe or draw your Playdough Plan B in Slot 3!
Slot 1: Place Glitch Card Here "Oh no, an unexpected change!"
Place Glitch Card Card Here (Rainy recess, substitute, broken item, etc.)
Slot 2: Place Tool Token Here "Which pocket tool can fix this?"
Place Coping Tool Token Here (Plan-B Wrench, Elastic Band, Detective Lens, or Whistle)
Slot 3: My Playdough Plan B "I can stretch and try this!"
Draw your new flexible plan or write one sentence below:
"Gears get stuck, but flexible thinkers know how to get them spinning again!"
Print & Cut Resource
Glitch Cards & Pocket Tool Tokens
Cut along dashed lines
6 Schedule & Surprise Glitch Cards
Glitch #1 🌧️
Rain Recess Glitch
Outdoor swings are wet! The teacher calls for inside games.
Glitch #2 🖍️
Broken Crayon Glitch
Your brand-new blue crayon snaps right in half!
Glitch #3 🚶
Line Leader Switch
You hoped to lead the line, but another student's stick is drawn.
Glitch #4 🍎
Guest Teacher Day
Your regular teacher is home sick, and a substitute is here.
Glitch #5 🎨
Swapped Specials
You dressed for Gym sneakers, but the schedule changed to Art!
Glitch #6 💻
Tablet Battery Died
Your center tablet screen goes black right in the middle of a game!
4 Pocket Tool Tokens
Plan-B Wrench
"Build a new way!"
Elastic Band
"Stretch & breathe!"
Detective Lens
"Little or big problem?"
Helper Whistle
"Ask a caring adult!"
💡 Counselor Tip: Laminate cards and add hook-and-loop dots for repeated tactile group sessions!
Bend And Mend Worksheet Toolshop Reflection Sheet
Bend & Mend Worksheet
Name:
Date:
1 Brain Check: Circle the brain that helps you bend when plans change!
🪨
The Rock Brain
Stiff, hard, gets mad when things shift
✨
The Playdough Brain
Soft, squishy, stretches to a new shape
2 Pick Your Pocket Tool: Circle 1 tool you will try next time you feel stuck!
Plan-B Wrench
Build a new idea
Elastic Band
Stretch & breathe
Detective Lens
Is it a big deal?
Helper Whistle
Ask a teacher
3 Draw & Write: When a schedule glitch happens, what can you do?
Draw your flexible Plan B in the repair box below:
When plans change, I can:
🎖️
Official Flexible Thinker Pledge
"I can stretch, I can bend, I am a great classroom friend!"
Signed: