Flexible Thinking Toolkit

Kim·

Thinking Skills

Preview

At a Glance

SubjectThinking Skills

Original Prompt

can you make me a mini unit on helping kids have flexible thinking? for middle school students who struggle in school- shifting activities, dealing with substitutes, peer conflicts and differences, wanting things done only their way, etc.

The resource provides a comprehensive guide for students to develop and enhance their flexible thinking skills, enabling them to adapt to changes and work through conflicts by considering multiple perspectives. It begins with a definition of rigid versus flexible thinking, illustrated through relatable scenarios. Students are introduced to the FLEX framework, which consists of four steps: Finding the problem, Listing options, Evaluating choices, and eXperimenting with new approaches. There are self-assessment tools where students can identify situations in which they struggle to be flexible, along with personal reflection exercises for goal setting. The document also outlines coping strategies such as deep breathing and positive self-talk, and encourages students to practice multiple perspectives in conflict resolution by using communication scripts to facilitate compromise. Ultimately, the resource aims to equip students with practical strategies to navigate changes and disagreements effectively.