Bendy Brain Slides Bendy Brain Squad • Lesson 1
Small Group Circle
SUPERPOWER THINKING
Rock Brain or Noodle Brain?
Learning how to be flexible when things change or don't go our way!
Rock = Stuck & Hard
➔
Noodle = Soft & Stretchy!
Thinking Check #1
Rigid & Stuck
Rock Brain
Hard like a stone!
How does Rock Brain act?
Says: "ONLY MY WAY!" and refuses to try anything else.
What does it feel like?
Hands clenched tight, stomping feet, feeling stuck in concrete.
Does it help us play & learn?
No! It traps us in upset feelings when plans change even a tiny bit.
When we feel like a Rock, our brain gets stuck in cement!
Thinking Check #2
Flexible & Ready
Noodle Brain!
Bendy like cooked spaghetti!
How does Noodle Brain act?
Says: "I can try another way! That's okay!"
What does it feel like?
Relaxed shoulders, soft hands, taking a breath and looking for new fun ideas.
Our Noodle Superpower:
When Plan A doesn't work, we can switch right over to Plan B!
Noodle brains can bend without breaking! We can adapt to anything!
Practice Time
Spot the Difference!
Kindergarten Scenario
"You want the blue swing at recess, but someone else is on it!"
A
Rock Brain Reaction
Cross arms, yell "Recess is ruined!", sit in the dirt and refuse to play anything else.
Feels angry, stays stuck!
B
Noodle Brain Reaction
Take a deep breath, say "I can slide first, and ask for a turn on the swings later!"
Plan B activated! Plays and has fun!
Turn to your neighbor: Show your floppy noodle arms! How would YOU switch to Plan B?
Squad Mission
Repeat After Me!
OUR BENDY BRAIN CHANT
"When things get stuck or plans don't bend,"
"I take a breath and try again!"
"I am not a rock, I am a noodle!"
Step 1: Notice the rock
Step 2: Breathe out
Step 3: Pick Plan B!
Rock Noodle Sorting Mat Bendy Brain Squad • Lesson 1
Rock or Noodle Sorting Mat
Name:
Date:
Directions: Look at each picture choice below. Is it a Hard Rock (Stuck) or a Bendy Noodle (Flexible) ? Draw a line to match each choice to its bucket!
Rock Bucket
Stuck • "Only My Way!"
Rigid
Connect stuck thoughts here
Feels: Mad, clenched, won't try anything else
Noodle Bucket
Bendy • "Plan B is Okay!"
Flexible
Connect bendy thoughts here
Feels: Calm breath, willing to try Plan B
Classroom Situations to Sort:
Situation 1
"The red scissors are gone. I'll use green scissors today!"
● Plan B Swapped
Situation 2
"It's raining! I refuse to play any games inside!"
● Stuck arms crossed
Situation 3
"Clean up time! I'll put my tower away and build again tomorrow."
● Ready to transition
Situation 4
"Someone else is line leader. I'm going to cry and not walk!"
● Hard like a boulder
My Bendy Brain Drawing
Draw yourself making a bendy noodle choice!
I am a Bendy Brain Champion! Group Goal: Spot when our brain is stuck and bend like a noodle!
Rock Noodle Teacher Guide Facilitator Session Guide • Lesson 1 Duration: 25–30 Minutes • K-1 Small Group
Rock and Noodle Facilitation Protocol
Core Objective: Teach kindergarteners to identify rigid "rock" thinking, practice physical body relaxation, and accept "Plan B" when initial desires or routines are disrupted.
Tactile Hook Prep
Bring 1 clean smooth garden rock and 1 ziplock with cooked spaghetti noodles (or soft playdough snakes).
Key Vocabulary
Rigid / Stuck: Hard rock.Flexible: Cooked noodle.Plan A & Plan B: First plan & backup plan.
Success Target
Student identifies a time their brain was stuck like a rock and vocalizes one "Plan B" alternative without tears.
1 Sensory Hook & Concrete Exploration (5 mins)
Tactile Anchor
Say: "Hold this rock. Squeeze it tight! Can you bend it into a circle? No way! It's rock hard. Now feel this noodle. What happens when I bend it? It wiggles and curves! Sometimes our brains feel like this hard rock—saying 'NO, ONLY MY WAY!' Today we are training our brains to be bendy like noodles!"
2 Interactive Slide Teaching & Plan A vs Plan B (8 mins)
Visual Modeling
Walk through the Bendy Brain Slides . Have students physically show rigid posture (freeze like a stone statue) versus noodle posture (shake floppy arms like cooked spaghetti). Teach the formula: "When Plan A is blocked, Noodle Brain opens Plan B!"
3 Guided Practice with Sorting Mat (10 mins)
Sorting & Application
Distribute the Rock Noodle Sorting Mat . Read each classroom scenario aloud. Ask: "Is this friend being a stuck rock or a bendy noodle?" Guide students to draw a connection line and draw their own favorite noodle choice in the drawing box.
4 Group Chant & Exit Ticket Ritual (4 mins)
Closure
Do the group chant together with arm movements: "When things don't go my way, I take a breath and say: I am not a rock, I am a noodle!" Each student gives an imaginary high-five or noodle fist bump before leaving.
Intervention Tips for Rigid Behaviors
If student says "I HATE Plan B": "You really wanted Plan A. It's okay to feel disappointed. Let's take 1 deep breath together, then find 2 fun choices for Plan B."
Classroom Whisper Cue:
Tough Task Slides Bendy Brain Squad • Lesson 2
Action Superpower
STARTING TRICKY TASKS
Tough Task Tamers!
How to get started and finish jobs we don't feel like doing!
1. Fast Start
2. First... Then...
3. Celebrate Done!
The Problem
The Stalling Monster
When we stall...
Saying "I don't wanna!" , whining, or ignoring the teacher doesn't make the job go away.
Stalling steals your play time!
Sitting and grumbling takes 15 minutes. Doing the task only takes 3 minutes!
It keeps you feeling cranky!
The longer we wait, the harder our brain feels stuck like a heavy rock.
The Secret Superpower:
The faster you start, the faster you get to play!
Every kindergarten champion has to do things they don't love sometimes!
Tool #1
Rocket Launch Trick
The 3 - 2 - 1 Blast Off!
Don't let your brain argue! Count down backwards and start your hands right away!
3
Take a big breath
2
Open your hands
1
Say "I can do this!"
🚀
BLAST OFF!
Practice right now: Crouch down, count 3... 2... 1... and touch your toes!
Tool #2
The Golden Rule
First Work ➔ Then Fun!
Our eyes look forward to the fun thing waiting for us!
FIRST
Tough Task (Quick Job)
• Pick up 5 building blocks
• Trace your name letters
• Put your jacket in your cubby
THEN
Fun Reward (Free Time!)
• Free play at the train tracks
• Playdough creations
• Recess swings with friends!
Remember: When the job is done, the fun is 100% yours!
Tough Task Pledge
Kindergarten Power!
"I can do hard things,
even when I don't feel like it!"
3... 2... 1... Blast Off! Fast start, job done, let's have fun!
Give both hands two big claps: You are a Tough Task Tamer!
First Then Action Board Bendy Brain Squad • Lesson 2
My First ➔ Then Action Board
Name:
Date:
Directions: Draw or choose the tough task you need to do FIRST . Then draw the fun activity waiting for you THEN ! Color your 3 stars as you work!
FIRST Tough Task
Write or draw your quick job here
3-2-1 BLAST OFF
THEN Fun Choice
Write or draw your earned reward
Tough Task Star Tracker Color each star as you finish!
1. Fast Start
Counted 3-2-1 & began without whining!
2. Working Hands
Kept working even when tricky!
3. Task Complete!
All done! Time for the fun choice!
Idea Bank to Draw:
Clean Up 5 Toys
Write 3 Letters
Playdough Fun
Play with Blocks
Super Self-Talk: "The faster I start, the faster I'm done!" Bendy Brain Squad Tool
Tough Task Teacher Guide Facilitator Session Guide • Lesson 2 Duration: 25–30 Minutes • K-1 Small Group
Tough Task Tamers Facilitation Protocol
Core Objective: Reduce task refusal and stalling behaviors by teaching kindergarteners behavioral momentum, First-Then visual contingency, and the 3-2-1 countdown launch trick.
Materials Needed
1 visual sand timer (or phone countdown chime), First-Then Action Boards, star stickers, 1 tub of unsorted crayons.
Behavioral Tool
Premack Principle: High-probability behavior (reward/play) contingent on low-probability behavior (work/clean up).
Target Milestone
Student initiates a nonpreferred group task within 5 seconds of the "3-2-1 Blast Off!" prompt without verbal protest.
1 The Stalling Trap Hook (5 mins)
Engage & Reveal
Say: "Imagine it's clean up time. Student A whines for 10 minutes: 'I don't wanna! My hands are tired!' Student B says '3-2-1 Blast off!' and puts away 4 blocks in 20 seconds. Who gets to play outside faster? Student B! Whining doesn't make work go away; it just steals your play time!"
2 Rocket Launch & Slide Demonstration (8 mins)
Kinesthetic Drill
Present the Tough Task Slides . Practice the physical "Rocket Launch" 3 times together. Count down: "3... 2... 1... BLAST OFF!" Have students instantly snap their hands from their laps to touch their table or put their hands on an assigned job.
3 Building the First-Then Action Board (10 mins)
Visual Commitment
Distribute the First Then Action Board . Ask each child to pick their #1 hardest school job (e.g., writing name, cleaning blocks). Have them draw it in the FIRST box. Next, draw their favorite earned choice in the THEN box. Emphasize: "First the work, then the reward!"
4 Live 90-Second Tough Task Challenge (5 mins)
Real-Time Success
Scatter 20 crayons on the table. Announce: "Group challenge! Can our hands launch in 3-2-1 and sort these into the bin before the timer dings?" Count down, cheer them on, and immediately award their 3 star stickers on their board!
Coaching Scripts for Persistent Avoidance
The "Micro-Bite" Offer: "You don't have to do all 10 right now. Launch with 3-2-1 and do just 2 with me. Then we pause."
Classroom Transfer Cue:
Cool Down Slides Bendy Brain Squad • Lesson 3
Calm Captains
MANAGING BIG FEELINGS
Cool Down Captains!
What to do when hard tasks or changing plans make us feel like an erupting volcano!
1. Spot the Heat
2. Cool Down Breath
3. Ask & Reset
Body Clues
The Warning Signs
The Volcano Feeling
When something feels too hard or unfair, lava boils inside!
🔥
Hot Red Cheeks & Tight Teeth
Our face feels warm, jaws clench up tight.
✊
Squeezed Fist Rocks
Our hands ball up into stiff, hard stones.
💨
Fast Huffing Breath
Fast breaths make our chest feel like bursting.
When you spot the volcano clues, it is time for a CAPTAIN PAUSE!
Captain Tool #1
Physical Resets
Cool Down Your Engine
Try these two superpowers to cool off the volcano before it erupts:
1
The Giant Balloon Breath
Breathe in deep through your nose to inflate your belly balloon... then blow out slow and steady for 4 long seconds!
2
Five-Finger Star Trace
Spread out your hand like a star. Trace up a finger as you breathe IN, trace down as you breathe OUT!
Everyone place hands on belly: Breathe in 1... 2... and blow the candle out!
Captain Tool #2
Problem Checker
Tiny Glitch or Big Emergency?
Match the size of your reaction to the size of the problem!
TINY GLITCH
What it looks like:
• Pencil tip snaps off
• Block tower tumbles down
• Someone else gets the swing first
Fix it with Plan B or ask for a nudge!
BIG EMERGENCY
What it looks like:
• Someone is bleeding or hurt
• Fire alarm sounding
• Real danger
Tell a teacher right away!
Most school problems are tiny glitches! We don't need a volcano for a tiny glitch!
Graduation Cheer
Bendy Brain Champion!
"I can feel mad, I can feel sad,
but I have tools to cool my head!"
1. Notice ➔ 2. Breathe ➔ 3. Bend with Plan B!
Congratulations! You have completed the Bendy Brain Squad training!
Calm Pathways Mat Bendy Brain Squad • Lesson 3
My Calm Pathways Mat
Name:
Date:
Directions: When you feel frustrated or angry, put your finger on the Star track to breathe. Then choose a Cool Down superpower below!
Five-Finger Star Breathing Track
Trace with your finger: Up = Inhale, Down = Exhale
Thumb
▲ IN ▼ OUT
1
Pointer
▲ IN ▼ OUT
2
Tall Guy
▲ IN ▼ OUT
3
Ring
▲ IN ▼ OUT
4
Pinky
▲ IN ▼ OUT
5
My 4 Cool Down Superpowers:
Balloon Breath
Blow out a giant imaginary balloon.
Option 1
Wall Push
Push hands flat on wall or desk for 5 sec.
Option 2
Cool Sip
Take 3 cold water sips & count to 5.
Option 3
Ask for Nudge
Say: "Can you help me with this part?"
Option 4
My Calm Place Drawing
Draw something that brings you peaceful, calm feelings:
My Brain Can Reset: 1. Notice ➔ 2. Breathe ➔ 3. Plan B Cool Down Captain Certificate
Cool Down Teacher Guide Facilitator Session Guide • Lesson 3 Duration: 25–30 Minutes • K-1 Small Group
Cool Down Captains Facilitation Protocol
Core Objective: Equip rigid and easily frustrated kindergarteners with somatic body awareness (spotting volcano signs), self-regulation resets (balloon/star breath), and glitch-coping tools.
Materials Needed
10 foam or wooden blocks, 1 bubble wand or pinwheel for breath modeling, Calm Pathways Mats, colored markers.
Cognitive Shift
Problem Sizing: Transitioning from viewing minor mishaps as catastrophes to identifying them as "tiny glitches."
Graduation Target
Student independently traces the Five-Finger star breath and states one verbal request for assistance when simulated tasks fail.
1 The Volcano Body Clues (5 mins)
Somatic Awareness
Say: "Touch your cheeks. Have they ever felt burning hot when a game didn't go your way? Clench your fists tight. That is your inner volcano! Volcanoes want to yell, hit, or drop to the floor. But Cool Down Captains spot the volcano early and turn on their cool down hose!"
2 Slides & Glitch vs. Emergency Sorting (8 mins)
Problem Sizing
Present Cool Down Slides . Contrast tiny glitches (broken crayon, dropping glue cap) with emergencies (bleeding knee, fire alarm). Emphasize: "A tiny glitch needs a tiny reaction and a bendy Plan B!"
3 Calm Pathways Mat & Sensory Tracing (10 mins)
Tactile Regulation
Distribute Calm Pathways Mat . Guide students through the Five-Finger star breath. Trace the perimeter of each finger with an index finger: inhaling slowly going up, exhaling gently going down. Have each child draw their favorite calming sanctuary.
4 The "Block Tower Crash" Resilience Drill (5 mins)
Exposure & Reset
Build a 6-block tower in the center. Gently knock it over. Coach immediate response: "Freeze! Take a Balloon Breath... 1, 2, 3... Say together: 'Just a tiny glitch! We have bendy brains!' Now rebuild together!" Award graduation badges.
Bendy Brain Squad 3-Lesson Mastery Check
Lesson 1: Flexible Thinking Child verbalizes a Plan B when an initial choice is blocked (e.g. chooses another toy without a tantrum).
Lesson 2: Nonpreferred Tasks Child begins cleanup or written activity within 5 seconds of the 3-2-1 launch cue.
Lesson 3: Frustration Reset Child engages in star or balloon breathing before reacting when facing a minor mishap or glitch.
