Flexible or Stuck
Johnny didn't have a sharp pencil at his desk, so he wasn't doing his classwork.
Stuck!
Bonus.... Can you tell what would be a flexible thinking?
What is something you can say to yourself when your plan changes?
“I can handle it”
“It’s okay”
“I can try Plan B”
Use the Power of Yet
Flexible thinkers can try a different plan when something changes.
True
You get to school and realize you are wearing two different shoes. What could you do?
Go with the flow... wear two different shoes!
Call home to see if someone can bring you the same shoes.
A student crosses their arms, stomps their feet, and says, “That’s not fair!”
How might they be feeling?
Frustrated
Annoyed
Irrited
Maris raised her hand excitedly to share a answer in class. She waited for the teacher to call on her.
Flexible.
Bonus... why is this flexible?
If someone is sitting in your usual spot, what is a flexible thing you could do?
Pick another seat.
Kindly ask your classmate if they would change seats with you.
There is only ONE right way to do things.
False
Your teacher says math and reading are switching places today. What could a flexible thinker say?
Positive Self Talk:
"I can be flexible!"
"I don't like this change and I can use a strategy to stay calm"
A child is smiling, bouncing, and talking loudly after hearing there’s extra recess.
What zone are they in?
Yellow or Red
If you chose red.... bonus.... what feeling?
Jake would only take a bath not a shower.
Stuck.
Bonus... What could he do to be flexible?
Name one calming strategy you can use when you feel stuck or frustrated.
Use a fidget
Talk to a trusted adult
Go to a break spot
Move your body
Breathe
It is okay to feel disappointed when plans change.
True.
The cafeteria only has food you do not really like today. What is a flexible choice?
Get a "fun lunch"
Get the lunch and eat the parts you like.
A student gets very quiet and hides under their sweatshirt when plans suddenly change.
How might they feel?
Uncomfortable
Stressed
Bonus... are they showing stuck or flexible thinking?
Liam's sandwich had tomatoes on it (which he doesn't like), so he picked them off.
Flexible!
Bonus... why is this flexible?
Your teacher changes the schedule suddenly. What could you do instead of getting upset?
"Go with the flow!"
Use a strategy
Flexible thinkers always get their way.
False
Your team changes the rules in the middle of a game. What could help you stay calm?
Use a strategy
Play something different
Someone keeps asking, “What’s next? What’s next?” over and over.
What feeling could they be experiencing?
Anxiety
Stress
Worry
Hunter lost a game and felt very sad and frustrated... he took some deep breaths and said "good game" to the other kids in lunch bunch.
Flexible!
If your friend wants to play a different game than you wanted, what is one flexible choice?
Compromise...
Play your game 1/2 the time, your friend's the other 1/2
Play your friend's game today, and yours tomorrow
Play rock, paper, scissors
Trying something new can help your brain grow stronger.
True
The line order changes and you are not in your usual spot. What could a palm tree thinker do?
Go with the flow
Use a strategy
A student says, “I can try again,” after their tower falls over.
What is the student showing?
That they are using a coping tool