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What is a Growth Mindset and Why is it Important?

Author: Angela Ferreira

Today's Lesson: What is A Growth Mindset and Why is it Important?


What's Covered

Hello Students!

Today we are going to learn about a Growth Mindset and why it is important.

After this lesson: 

1. You will be able to define growth mindset and explain the brain science that supports the theory.

2. You will be able to distinguish between behaviors and statements associated with a growth mindset and those associated with a fixed mindset.

3. You will be able to understand and explain the benefits of growth mindset.

Source: Image adapted from http://www.watsdyke.org.uk/?page_id=5343

Video #1: What is a Growth Mindset and Why It is Important?

Watch the video and let's see what Mojo has to say about Growth Mindset.

Source: Adapted from You Tube. (2016). Episode 1: A Secret about the Brain. Retrieved from https://www.classdojo.com/BigIdeas/

Video #2: Growth Mindset - You Can Have a Stronger and Smarter Brain!

HINT: Having a growth mindset means that you know you can train your brain to get smarter. Watch this video to learn more about growth mindset and how our brains works.

Source: Growth Mindset Video. (2014). Retrieved from https://youtu.be/ElVUqv0v1EE

Let's Discuss: Fixed Mindset vs. Growth Mindset

 Hint   When someone is in a "closed or fixed mindset" they give up easily, they don’t try things that might be hard, and they don’t believe that they can learn.

Here are a few examples of what someone with a closed mindset would say: “This math is too hard,” “I can’t do this,” “I’m not going to try,” “I can’t make any friends,” and “No one here helps me.” 

How well do you think someone with that kind of mindset would learn? Not very well at all!

Hint  When someone has an "open or growth mindset" they don’t give up. They believe they can learn and their brain can grow. 

Here are a few examples of what someone with an open mindset would say: “This math is hard, but I’m going to keep trying,” “I can do this,” and “I don’t have any friends….yet.” Students with this kind of mindset would learn much better. 

Try It  Discuss the power of "yet". Adding "yet" onto the end of a sentence can make all the difference!

Do you have a growth mindset?

Think About It

Try It

Click on the link below and take the online quiz to learn more about your mindset. 

What's My Mindset

Source: Mindset Works. (2015). Retrieved from http://blog.mindsetworks.com/what-s-my-mindset

BIG QUESTION: What is a growth mindset?

In your own words, use 3 main ides from this lesson to describe a growth mindset.

What Can I Say to Myself to Have A Growth Mindset?

Think About It

Try It

Instructions:  

  1. Read both columns and pick 3 phrases from the "Try Thinking" column that you will practice to grow your brain in situations you might face.

Source: Adapted from https://goo.gl/images/bQcNHH

Homework

Homework Assignment: Use this Goals Reflection Sheet. Your goal for this week is to use a growth mindset strategy you have learned in this lesson and briefly reflect on whether or not you met this goal. If you need more space to write, you may write on a separate sheet. Turn your goals reflection sheet into your teacher by the end of the week.

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Growth Mindset Resources

For more information and tips about Growth Mindset, click on the link provided.

Source: Araoz Learning. Retrieved from https://www.sophia.org/tutorials/growth-mindset-3#

More Resources

Learn More

For more information about growth mindset, visit: https://www.skillsyouneed.com/ps/mindsets.html

If you would like to a paper quiz to learn what kind of mindset you have, click here: https://studentsuccess.unc.edu...

Source: Adapted from: Dweck, C. S. (2006). Mindset: The new psychology of success. New York: Random House Inc. https://studentsuccess.unc.edu/files/2015/08/MINDSET-Quiz.pdf