Flexible Thinking Task Box: Plan B and Handling Change, High School

This flexible thinking task box teaches Plan B, stuck versus flexible thoughts, and plans for bigger changes.

Why I made this: Changes are hard for a lot of students: a substitute, an indoor recess, a new seat, a different task at work. A change that seems small to us can feel like the whole day is ruined. This box gives students words and plans for changes, one level at a time, so "Plan B" becomes something they can reach for on their own.

What’s included (21 pages):

• Level A ●: 12 Plan B cards with a picture and 3 choices

• Level B ■: 24 thought cards to sort "stuck thought" or "flexible thought"

• Level C ▲: 24 flexible plan cards for changes at school, home, in the community, and at work

• A stuck or flexible mat, a "My Plan B" planner, and 6 flexible words cue cards

• 3 practice pages, one for each level

• Answer key for every card

• Data sheet and a 10 session accuracy graph

• A try it for real page with an adult check

• Ideas for practicing at home and around school, and blank cards

How I use it: I show a rock and a rubber band to explain stuck and flexible thoughts, then students work on their level in the task box. I plan small changes on purpose and use the Plan B planner, and I take data on the data sheet and the adult check.

Who it is for: Special education teachers in structured, self contained, and life skills classrooms, resource rooms, counselors, and paras, for students in grades 5 to 8 and older students who need the same skills.

What you download: Flexible Thinking Task Box Social Emotional.pdf (21 pages, US Letter, print ready).

How this is different: Heads Up Cards warn students before a change, and When Plans Change is a set of social narratives for school changes. This box teaches what to think and do when a change happens, with three levels and data. No text is shared.

Part of the Social Emotional Task Box series.

Made by Jeremy D. Gooch, special education teacher and transition coordinator. Drafting and layout had AI assistance; every page was checked by me.