Introduction
Flexibility is an essential skill for middle school students to develop as they navigate through various life situations. Being flexible means being able to adapt to changes without getting overly upset or frustrated. On the other hand, being rigid can lead to negative emotions and conflicts with others. In this blog post, we will explore a no-prep activity, discussion questions, and related skills to help educators teach students the importance of being flexible and how to practice this skill in their daily lives.
No-Prep Activity: Movie Plan Switch
This activity requires no preparation or materials from the educator. The goal is to help students understand the difference between being rigid and being flexible by using a relatable scenario.
- Divide the students into groups of three.
- Assign each student in the group a role: Alessandra, Bobby, or Chris.
- Ask the students to act out the following scenario, where the group plans to see a scary movie, but Alessandra and Bobby want to switch to a funny movie. Chris needs to practice being flexible and adapt to the change.
- After the role-play, have the students discuss how they felt during the activity and what they learned about being flexible.
Discussion Questions
Use these questions to stimulate further discussions about flexibility:
- Why is it important to be flexible in life?
- How can being rigid affect our relationships with others?
- What are some strategies to help you become more flexible in different situations?
- Can you think of a time when you were flexible and it led to a positive outcome?
- How can practicing flexibility contribute to a healthier mindset?
Related Skills
Besides flexibility, there are other relevant skills that students can benefit from developing:
- Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others can help students navigate social situations and adapt to changes more easily.
- Problem-solving: Being able to identify and resolve issues can contribute to a more flexible mindset and improve adaptability.
- Communication: Effective communication skills can help students express their feelings and needs, making it easier to negotiate and adapt to changes.
- Resilience: Building resilience can help students bounce back from setbacks and be more open to change.
Next Steps
Teaching flexibility is an essential part of helping middle school students develop healthy social-emotional skills. If you’re interested in exploring more activities and resources to support your students’ growth in this area, sign up for free samples of the discussed skill and others at Everyday Speech. By incorporating these resources into your teaching, you can help students learn to adapt to changes and navigate life with a more positive mindset.
