Flexible Mindset Slides Brain Builders
Rock vs. Playdough
Lesson 1: Rigid vs. Flexible Thinking
Look and See
🍝
Dry Pasta
What happens when we try to bend it?
➰
Pipe Cleaner
What happens when we try to bend it?
Rigid Thinking
🪨
"The Rock"
"It has to be my way or NO way!"
"I can't change the plan. I'm stuck."
Rocks are strong, but they don't BEND. They BREAK.
Flexible Thinking
🥣
"The Playdough"
"It's okay, we can try something new!"
"I can go with the flow."
Playdough can BEND and STRETCH without breaking.
Let's Build!
Time to decide: Is this choice a Rock or Playdough?
Mindset Sorting Worksheet Rock or Playdough?
Flexible Thinking Sorting
Name:
Date:
Instructions
Read each speech bubble. Decide if it is Rigid Thinking (The Rock) or Flexible Thinking (The Playdough). Write "Rock" or "Playdough" on the line next to each one.
"I wanted to be the line leader. Now my whole day is ruined and I won't do any work!"
Type of Thinking
"We can't go outside because of rain? That's okay, maybe we can play a board game inside instead."
Type of Thinking
"I only play with the blue car. If someone else has it, I'm not playing at all!"
Type of Thinking
"I forgot my favorite pencil today. I'll use a yellow one for now and find mine later."
Type of Thinking
"The schedule changed and we have Art early! That's a fun surprise!"
Type of Thinking
The Brain Challenge
Think of a time you were a Rock . How could you have been Playdough instead?
Mindset Facilitation Guide Teacher Guide
Lesson 1: Rigid vs. Flexible Thinking
Objective
Students will define and identify "Rock" vs. "Playdough" thinking patterns.
Time
30-45 Minutes
Materials
Dry pasta, pipe cleaners, actual rock, playdough.
1. The Hook (5 Mins)
Hold up a piece of dry pasta . Ask students: "What happens if I try to bend this?" (Snap it). Explain that when our minds are like this pasta—rigid —we break when things don't go our way.
Hold up a pipe cleaner . Ask: "What happens if I bend this?" (Bend it). Explain that flexibility allows us to change shape without breaking.
2. Rock vs. Playdough (15 Mins)
Use the Flexible Mindset Slides to introduce the metaphors:
The Rock (Rigid): Thinks there is only ONE way. Gets stuck. Might have a "meltdown" (break) when the plan changes.
The Playdough (Flexible): Can change shape. Thinks of "Plan B." Goes with the flow.
Key Question: "Does the rock feel happy when the plan changes? Why not?"
3. Real-Life Sorting (15 Mins)
Distribute the Mindset Sorting Worksheet . Read scenarios aloud for students who need reading support.
Differentiation (Support)
Provide a physical rock and playdough for the student to hold while deciding.
Differentiation (Extension)
Ask students to rewrite a "Rock" scenario into a "Playdough" scenario.
4. Closing (5 Mins)
Have students "stretch" like playdough as they line up for their next transition. Remind them: "Keep your brain stretchy today!"
Plan B Detour Slides The Detour
Finding Plan B
Lesson 2: Problem Solving
Road Blocked!
🚧
Plan A
"Sometimes the road we want to take is CLOSED."
Rain stops recess outside.
The library is closed.
We run out of your favorite snack.
Take a Detour
Plan B
A Detour is just a DIFFERENT way to get where you want to go.
It might be a little longer, but you still get there!
Flexible thinkers say: "Oh well, let's find a detour!"
Finding Plan B
Blocked (Plan A)
"I wanted the swing, but someone is on it."
Detour (Plan B)
"I'll go on the slide until the swing is open!"
Blocked (Plan A)
"The marker I want is dried up."
Detour (Plan B)
"I can use a different color or ask for a new one."
Time to Drive!
Let's practice finding detours in our Plan B Road Map activity.
Plan B Road Map Activity Plan B Road Map
Lesson 2: Finding a Detour
Driver Name:
1. The Obstacle
Try to draw a line from the Start (Plan A) to the Finish (Goal) using the main road. Oh no! There is a ROAD BLOCK in the way! Use your pencil to find a DETOUR (Plan B) around it.
Start
Finish (Goal)
🚧
Blocked!
Try this way
Try this way
Finding a Real Detour
The Road Block (Plan A):
"I want to sit at the table with my friends, but there are no chairs left."
My Detour (Plan B):
The Road Block (Plan A):
"It's my turn to use the iPad, but the battery is dead."
My Detour (Plan B):
Problem Size Slides The Reaction
How Big is It?
Lesson 3: Emotional Regulation
Size of the Problem
🐛
A Glitch
A small problem. You can fix it easily or wait it out. No one is hurt.
"Oops!"
🦖
An Emergency
A big problem. Someone is hurt or in danger. You need help RIGHT NOW.
"Help!"
The Balloon Pop
💥
BOOM!
Does a tiny Glitch need a giant Explosion?
If we have a Giant Reaction for a Tiny Problem, it's like popping a balloon for a single speck of dust!
Matching the Size
Glitch
Small Reaction (Deep breath, keep going)
Emergency
Big Reaction (Tell adult, stay safe)
"Try to keep your reaction the same size as the problem!"
Glitch or Emergency?
Time to use our Reaction Meter to decide how big these problems really are!
My Reaction Meter Worksheet My Reaction Meter
Lesson 3: Glitch vs. Emergency
Name:
1. Tiny
Just a shrug
2. Small
Take a breath
3. Medium
Ask for help
4. Big / Emergency
Tell adult ASAP
Rate the Problem
Read each problem. Write the number (1, 2, 3, or 4) to show how big your reaction should be.
?
"I can't find my favorite red crayon."
Level: ____
?
"Someone fell on the playground and their knee is bleeding."
Level: ____
?
"The teacher said we have to stop playing and come to the carpet."
Level: ____
?
"I made a mistake on my drawing and I want to start over."
Level: ____
Calm Down Tool
When I feel a Level 3 or 4 reaction coming for a Level 1 problem, I can:
Check Change Carry On Slides Schedule Scramble
Check, Change, Carry On
Lesson 4: Handling Disruptions
The Surprise!
Sometimes our Visual Schedule changes. A card gets moved, flipped, or covered up.
"Wait! We always have Music on Tuesdays! Why is the card different today?"
😲
Check, Change, Carry On
1. Check
Look at the schedule. Use your eyes to see the new card.
2. Change
Change your plan in your brain. "Okay, we are doing Art instead."
3. Carry On
Go to the next activity calmly. You did it!
Let's Try It!
I'm going to change a card on the board right now...
👀 Check the card.
🧠 Change the plan.
🚶♂️ Carry on!
🏃♂️
🎨
🍎
📚
The Schedule Puzzle
Time to solve our own Schedule Scramble !
Schedule Scramble Activity Schedule Scramble
Lesson 4: Check, Change, Carry On
Name:
1
Check
2
Change
3
Carry On
1. Spot the Change
Look at the Original Schedule . Then look at the New Schedule . Circle the activity that changed.
Original Plan
🍎 Snack Time
🎶 Music
📚 Reading
New Plan
🍎 Snack Time
🎨 Art
📚 Reading
2. Practicing My Routine
Imagine the teacher just changed the schedule. Fill in the blanks to practice being flexible!
1. Check: "I see that we are not going to Music. We are going to ____________ instead."
2. Change: "I can be playdough! I am changing my brain to think about ____________."
3. Carry On: "I will walk calmly to ____________ with my class."
Draw how you feel when you stay calm during a schedule change:
Flex Challenge Game Cards Flex Challenge Cards
Lesson 5: Rapid Cognitive Shifting
How to Play
Cut out these cards. Use them during a simple game (like Simon Says or Musical Chairs). When you pull a card, the Flex Rule changes immediately! Students must use their "Check, Change, Carry On" routine to keep playing.
Reverse Gear
"Walk backwards instead of forwards!"
Flex Challenge
Slow Motion
"Move like you are underwater!"
Flex Challenge
Quiet Zone
"No talking or making noise for 1 minute!"
Flex Challenge
Switch Hands
"Only use your non-writing hand for this round!"
Flex Challenge
The Ultimate Flex Quote
"I can change my plan and keep my cool!"
Flexibility Star Award Flexibility Star
Cognitive Flexibility Mastery
This award is presented to
For showing Playdough Thinking , finding Plan B Detours , and being a master of the Check, Change, Carry On routine!
Teacher Signature
Date
