Flex Lab Slides Flex Lab
Mastering Cognitive Flexibility
Level 01: The Mindset Shift
Meet the Rock Brain
What is it?
It's when your brain gets stuck on one idea, one plan, or one way of doing things.
The Vibe:
Rigid and unmoving
Hates "Plan B"
Struggles with surprises
Rigidity Detected
The Flexi-Brain
Adaptability Active
The Superpower
The ability to bend without breaking. Thinking of multiple ways to solve a problem when the first way doesn't work.
The Vibe:
Calm and observant
Open to new ideas
Good at "Plan B"
Flex Test #1
Scenario
"I was supposed to play video games at 4:00 PM, but my mom says I have to help carry in groceries first. I start yelling that it's not fair because 4:00 is my game time."
Rock Brain
Flexi-Brain
Flex Test #2
Scenario
"The teacher changed the seating chart and now I'm not sitting by my best friend. I feel frustrated, but I take a deep breath and decide to see if my new neighbor is cool."
Rock Brain
Flexi-Brain
Your Turn: Scenario Sort
You have a set of cards. Sort them based on whether they show a Rock Brain or a Flexi-Brain in action.
Goal: Can you identify the "Flex" even when things are hard?
Scenario Sorting Cards Flex Lab
Scenario Sorting Cards
12 SCENARIOS
Instructions:
Cut out the cards below. Read each scenario and decide if the character is showing Rock Brain (stuck/rigid) or Flexi-Brain (adaptable/moving). Place them on the corresponding sorting mat.
Your friend wants to play Apex Legends, but you had your heart set on Minecraft. You refuse to play anything else and turn off your console.
The cafeteria ran out of pizza. You're bummed, but you decide to try the taco bar instead and find out it's actually pretty good.
Your teacher gives you feedback on a math problem. You get angry and insist your way is the only right way to solve it, even if the answer is wrong.
The Wi-Fi goes down right in the middle of a movie. You take a breath, find a book you've been meaning to read, and start that instead.
The bus is 10 minutes late. You decide the whole day is ruined and keep a grumpy face for the rest of the morning.
Your partner for a science project has a different idea for the poster. You listen and suggest combining both ideas to see if it looks better.
You forgot your lucky socks for your soccer game. You tell yourself you're going to lose because you don't have them.
You have a lot of homework and feel overwhelmed. You decide to break it into 15-minute chunks instead of trying to do it all at once.
Your parents changed the time of dinner. You had a specific routine you wanted to follow and start an argument about why they can't change it.
A new student joins your group and suggests a rule change for the game. You're unsure, but you say, "Let's try it for one round and see how it goes."
You can't find your specific pen for your sketchbook. Even though there are other pens, you refuse to draw until you find that exact one.
You planned to go biking, but it starts raining. You decide to invite your friend over to play cards inside instead.
Sorting Zone Mats Flex Lab: Sorting Zone
Place your cards in the correct mind-state
Rock Brain
STUCK • RIGID • UNMOVING
Flexi-Brain
BENDING • ADAPTING • OPEN
Flex Facilitator Guide Flex Facilitator Guide
Intervention: Cognitive Flexibility
Session Goals
1. Identify
Student will recognize the physical and mental signs of "Rock Brain" (rigidity).
2. Pivot
Student will practice generating "Flexi-Brain" alternatives to rigid scenarios.
Facilitation Prompts
Introduction (Slides 1-3):
"Everyone has 'Rock Brain' moments. It's not about being 'bad'—it's about being stuck. Today we're going to learn how to unstick."
During Card Sorting:
"What clue in the story told you they were stuck?"
"If this person had a Flexi-Brain, what would they say instead?"
"Have you ever felt like this character? What did it feel like in your body?"
Scenario Sorting Key
Rock Brain (Rigid)
#01 Refusing to play Minecraft
#03 Insisting wrong math way
#05 Bus late / Whole day ruined
#07 No lucky socks = Loss
#09 Dinner time routine argument
#11 Won't draw without specific pen
Flexi-Brain (Adaptable)
#02 Trying the Taco Bar
#04 Reading a book (Wi-Fi out)
#06 Combining project ideas
#08 Breaking HW into chunks
#10 Trying a new group rule
#12 Playing cards when it rains
Extension
Ask the student to pick one "Rock Brain" card and rewrite it as a "Flexi-Brain" card. What specific sentence or action changes the outcome?
