Flexible Thinking Lesson Plan Flexible Thinking in Fall
Teacher Lesson Plan
Time: 30 Minutes
Audience: 4th Grade (Tier 1)
Topic: Social-Emotional Learning
Why This Lesson?
This lesson introduces fourth-grade students with autism to the concepts of flexible thinking and stuck thinking using a fall theme. By identifying these patterns, students develop critical adaptability skills essential for problem-solving and emotional regulation.
Objective
Students will understand the difference between flexible and stuck thinking and identify examples of each.
Materials Checklist
Video: Developing a Growth Mindset
Worksheet: Flexible vs Stuck Thinking
Reading: Fall-Themed Scenarios
Discussion Guide: Flexible Thinking Examples
Activity: Leaf Sorting Game
Instructional Steps
5m
1. Introduction
Begin with a brief introduction to the concept of flexible thinking versus stuck thinking. Explain that flexible thinking helps us adapt to new situations, while stuck thinking can make it hard to solve problems.
5m
2. Video Viewing
"Developing a Growth Mindset"
Show the video and ask students to pay attention to how the characters demonstrate flexible thinking by trying new ways to solve their problems.
5m
3. Reading and Discussion
Distribute the Fall-Themed Scenarios reading. Read aloud and discuss each scenario. Ask students to identify examples of flexible and stuck thinking in each fall story.
5m
4. Worksheet Activity
Hand out the Flexible vs Stuck Thinking Worksheet . Guide students through the reflection questions, encouraging them to think of their own personal examples.
5m
5. Leaf Sorting Game
Organize the sorting activity. Students sort paper leaves into 'Flexible Thinking' and 'Stuck Thinking' piles based on scenarios read aloud. This encourages teamwork and active participation.
5m
6. Closure
Recap the key points. Ask students to share one thing they learned. Encourage them to "be a flexible leaf" and drift with the changes in their daily lives!
Fall-Themed Scenarios Reading Fall-Themed Scenarios
Read and identify: Is it Flexible Thinking or Stuck Thinking?
Scenario 1: The Rainy Harvest
Jamie wanted to go apple picking, but it started to rain. Instead of being upset, Jamie decided to bake apple pie at home.
Scenario 2: The Art Project
Alex was upset because the leaves were not falling as expected for his art project. He refused to use any other materials and didn't complete the project.
Scenario 3: The Windy Picnic
Mia planned a picnic in the park, but it was too windy. She decided to have the picnic indoors and invited her friends to join her.
Scenario 4: The Canceled Festival
Sam was looking forward to the fall festival, but it was canceled. He chose to organize a small gathering with his family at home, creating his own fun activities.
Scenario 5: Sold Out Pumpkins
Lily was excited to carve pumpkins, but they were all sold out. She decided to paint some gourds instead, creating unique decorations.
Scenario 6: The Wet Leaves
Ben wanted to play in the leaves, but they were too wet. He decided to build a leaf fort with the dry leaves he found under the trees.
Teacher Tip: Discuss what changed in each story and how the character reacted.
Flexible vs Stuck Thinking Worksheet Name:
Date:
Flexible vs Stuck Thinking
Flexible = Bendable
Stuck = Frozen
1
Describe a situation where you used flexible thinking.
Think about a time you had to change your plan or try something new.
2
What is an example of stuck thinking from the reading?
Look for a scenario where someone had trouble adapting to a change.
Flexible Challenge
Which character from the stories did the best job of being flexible? Why?
Flexible Thinking Slides Flexible Thinking in Fall
Learning to bend, not break!
Flexible
Stuck
What is Flexible Thinking?
Flexible thinking is when you can change your plan when things don't go the way you expected.
Trying a new way to solve a problem.
Staying calm when plans change.
Be like a leaf in the wind!
What is Stuck Thinking?
Frozen in place!
Stuck thinking is when you have trouble changing your mind or your plan.
Refusing to try something new.
Getting upset because a plan changed.
Video: Developing a Growth Mindset
Watch for Flexible Thinking!
Observe how characters find new ways to reach their goals.
Video Discussion
What is an example of flexible thinking you saw in the video?
Hint: Think about when a character tried a different approach or didn't give up when it got hard.
Your Experience
Can you think of a time when you used flexible thinking?
New Food?
New Rules?
Schedule Change?
Leaf Sorting Game!
We are going to sort scenarios into Flexible and Stuck piles.
Ready to work as a team?
Great Work!
Remember: Flexible thinking helps you grow!
"I can bend like a fall leaf and find a new way!"
Flexible Thinking Discussion Guide Flexible Thinking Discussion Guide
Teacher-Facing Resource
Use this guide to facilitate classroom discussions after the video and reading. The goal is to help students connect the concept of "Flexible Thinking" to their own lives and the media they consume.
1
Examples from the Video
"What is an example of flexible thinking you saw in the video?"
Teacher Facilitation Tips:
Encourage students to recall specific moments from the video where characters adapted to challenges.
If students struggle, prompt them: "Did someone try a second way to solve a problem?" or "Did someone stay calm when their first plan failed?"
Reinforce that flexible thinking often follows a "Plan A to Plan B" transition.
2
Personal Connections
"Can you think of a time when you used flexible thinking?"
Teacher Facilitation Tips:
Guide students to share personal experiences where they adapted to a new situation or solved a problem creatively.
Common Scenarios to Prompt:
"What do you do if your favorite game is already being played by someone else?"
"How do you feel if we have a sudden change in our school schedule (like an assembly)?"
"What if the cafeteria runs out of the lunch you wanted?"
Validate all attempts at flexibility. Use the phrase: "That was a great way to bend your thinking!"
For Students with Autism: Some students may benefit from having visual choices (e.g., "Was Jamie flexible when she baked the pie, or was she stuck?"). Use wait time generously to allow for processing of these complex social concepts.
Leaf Sorting Activity Cards Leaf Sorting Activity
Cut out the leaves and sort them onto the correct pile!
Flexible Thinking
"I can try a new plan!"
Stuck Thinking
"It has to be this way!"
Scenario Leaves
Jamie's apple picking trip was rained out, so she decided to bake apple pie instead.
Alex was upset because the leaves were not falling perfectly. He refused to finish his project.
Mia's picnic was too windy, so she invited everyone to eat inside the house instead.
Sam's fall festival was canceled. He felt so upset that he went to bed and didn't talk to anyone.
Lily couldn't find a pumpkin to carve, so she chose to paint colorful gourds instead.
Ben's pile of leaves was too wet to jump in, but he decided to build a leaf fort with dry leaves he found in the woods.
Hint: Look for characters who "tried something new" vs characters who "gave up" or "stayed upset."
