Lesson Plan
Flowchart Activities Plan
3rd graders will practice flexibility and self-management by completing a dynamic obstacle circuit with shifting routes, engaging in group coaching to share coping strategies, and journaling reflections on adapting to change.
Learning to adapt when plans shift builds resilience and confidence, helping students handle disruptions in class and everyday life with calm and creativity.
Audience
3rd Grade
Time
25 minutes
Approach
Hands-on circuit, group discussion, and reflective journaling.
Prep
Teacher Preparation
10 minutes
- Review the Adapting to Change Slides.
- Arrange and test the Obstacle Flow Circuit layout in the classroom or gym.
- Print enough copies of the How I Went with the Flow Journal for each student.
- Familiarize yourself with the Adaptation Debrief Discussion Guide.
Step 1
Introduction & Framing
5 minutes
- Display the Adapting to Change Slides and define flexibility and adapting to change.
- Ask students for quick examples of times plans shifted and how they felt.
- Explain that today’s obstacle circuit will change unexpectedly, and they’ll practice coping strategies.
Step 2
Obstacle Circuit Activity
10 minutes
- Divide students into small groups and station them at the start of the Obstacle Flow Circuit.
- Instruct one student at a time to navigate the circuit; after each turn, announce a sudden change (e.g., switch direction, skip a step).
- Encourage students to take a deep breath and adjust their route calmly.
- Rotate so each student experiences at least one unexpected change.
Step 3
Adaptation Debrief
5 minutes
- Gather students and use the Adaptation Debrief Discussion Guide.
- Ask: What strategies helped you stay calm when the route changed?
- Discuss how these strategies can apply to other situations (tests, schedules, group work).
Step 4
Reflection Journaling
5 minutes
- Distribute the How I Went with the Flow Journal.
- Prompt students to write or draw how they adapted during the circuit and which coping strategies they used.
- Invite volunteers to share one insight with the class.
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Slide Deck
Adapting to Change: Flexibility in Action
Today we will learn how to stay calm and adjust when plans shift. We’ll practice flexibility through a fun obstacle circuit.
Welcome everyone! Explain that today we will focus on adapting when things change. Highlight that flexibility is a skill everyone can practice.
What Is Flexibility?
• Flexibility means adjusting smoothly when things change
• It’s like a tree bending in the wind instead of breaking
• We can practice flexibility every day
Define flexibility with a simple analogy. Encourage students to imagine bending like a tree instead of breaking.
Why Adapting Matters
• Keeps us calm when surprises happen
• Helps us solve problems in new ways
• Builds confidence for future challenges
Emphasize why adapting helps both in school and outside. Relate to being a good teammate and solving problems.
Coping Strategies for Change
• Take deep breaths to stay calm
• Use positive self-talk (“I can handle this!”)
• Ask questions to understand new situations
• Stay curious and look for solutions
Introduce each coping strategy one by one. Model deep breathing and positive self-talk.
The Obstacle Flow Circuit
• You’ll move through stations with cones, hoops, and balance beams
• After each turn, I’ll call out a change:
- Change direction
- Skip or swap a station
- Add a new challenge
• Use your coping strategies to adjust
Explain how the obstacle circuit will work and that you will cue changes. Stress that unexpected twists are part of the learning.
Circuit Rules & Reminders
• Listen for my change announcements
• Pause, breathe, and think before you move
• Encourage your teammates
• Stay safe and have fun!
Review the simple rules and set positive expectations. Remind students to support each other.
Let’s Go with the Flow!
Take a moment to think:
How will you stay flexible today?
Get ready to start the obstacle circuit!
Prompt a quick self-check before starting. Transition students to the active portion of the lesson.
Activity
Obstacle Flow Circuit Setup and Instructions
Overview: Students will navigate a series of physical stations—cones to weave through, hoops to hop in, and a balance beam—while the teacher interjects surprise changes. This builds flexibility by practicing quick adaptations.
Required Materials
- 6–8 traffic cones or floor markers
- 4 hula hoops or taped floor squares
- 1 low balance beam or taped line on the floor
- 4–6 small beanbags or soft objects
- Stopwatch or timer (optional)
- Prepared list of change prompts (see below)
Grouping Strategy
- Divide class into small groups of 4–5 students.
- Designate one group at a time to move through the circuit while others cheer and observe.
- Rotate groups until every student has completed at least one turn.
Station Layout
- Station 1: Cone Weave
• Arrange cones in a zig-zag 6–8 feet apart.
• Student weaves quickly through cones. - Station 2: Hoop Hop
• Lay out 4 hoops in a line or square.
• Student hops on one foot or two feet from hoop to hoop. - Station 3: Balance Beam
• Use a low beam or a taped line on the floor.
• Student walks heel-to-toe across the beam. - Station 4: Beanbag Toss (optional)
• Place a target 6 feet away.
• Student tosses a beanbag into the target, then moves on.
Dynamic Change Prompts
Between each student’s turn, announce one unexpected change. Encourage students to: pause, breathe, and adapt.
- “Switch direction—go backward through the cones!”
- “Skip Station 2 and go straight to the beam!”
- “Add a hop on one foot at the next station!”
- “Trade places with a teammate before you start!”
- “Complete two laps around the cones!”
- “Close your eyes for two steps on the beam (safely)!”
Instructions for the Teacher
- Invite first student and cue them to start at Station 1.
- After they finish, call out a surprise change before sending them to the next station.
- Encourage the group to remind the runner to use their coping strategies (deep breaths, positive self-talk).
- Repeat for each student so everyone experiences at least one change.
- Monitor safety and cheer on flexibility wins!
Reflection Cue
After all groups finish, transition to the Adaptation Debrief Discussion Guide to discuss which changes were toughest and which coping strategies helped.
This activity builds hands-on experience with adapting to change, supporting self-management and resilience.
Discussion
Adaptation Debrief Discussion Guide
Time: 5 minutes
Objective: Students reflect on how they adapted to surprise changes and identify the coping strategies that worked best.
- Opening Reflection (1 minute)
- Teacher asks: “How did you feel when I announced a surprise change during the circuit?”
- Invite 2–3 students to share one word describing their feelings (e.g., surprised, excited, nervous).
- Strategy Check-In (2 minutes)
- Teacher asks: “What strategy did you use to stay calm when things changed?”
- Follow-up prompts to draw out examples:
• “Who took deep breaths? How did that help you?”
• “Who used positive self-talk? What phrase did you tell yourself?”
• “Who asked questions or looked for clues before moving on?”
- Connecting to Real Life (2 minutes)
- Teacher asks: “Think of another time—like during a test, at recess, or at home—when plans changed. Which of these strategies will you use next time?”
- Invite volunteers to share their example and chosen strategy.
Closure:
- Summarize the key strategies: pause and breathe, positive self-talk, ask questions, and stay curious.
- Reinforce that flexibility helps us learn, solve problems, and feel confident whenever surprises arise.
Journal
How I Went with the Flow
Today you practiced being flexible and adapting when plans changed. Reflect on your experience by completing the prompts below. Feel free to draw or write as much as you like!
1. A Surprising Moment
Think of a time during the obstacle circuit when I announced a change and you felt surprised or caught off guard. Describe exactly what happened and how you felt in that moment.
2. My Coping Strategy
Which strategy did you use to help yourself stay calm or adjust? (For example: taking deep breaths, saying “I can handle this,” asking questions, or staying curious.) Explain how it helped you.
3. Draw It Out
Draw a picture of yourself using a coping strategy during the circuit. Use the space below for your sketch.
[ ] Draw here:
After you draw, write one sentence describing your picture:
4. Flexibility in Real Life
Think of another time—at home, during a test, at recess, or anywhere else—when plans might change suddenly. Describe the situation and how you would use one of today’s strategies to stay flexible.