Growth mindset in the classroom

Growth Mindset Integration: High-Risk Level

From Concept to Culture: Living Growth Mindset Every Day

🔁 Rethink Assessment & Feedback

• Replace “final grades only” moments with opportunities for revision and reflection.
  → e.g., “You may resubmit after feedback—what strategy will you change this time?”

• Use process-oriented rubrics that value persistence, creativity, and use of feedback as much as accuracy.

• Include a short self-reflection on each project: What challenge did you face? How did you respond?

🧩 Embed Growth Mindset Into Learning Design

• Create “productive struggle” tasks where success requires collaboration, iteration, or multiple attempts.

• Incorporate student goal-setting check-ins: What’s one skill you’re growing this week? How will you know you’ve improved?

• Use reflection journals or digital portfolios to track learning evolution—not just final outcomes.

💬 Normalize Struggle Through Language & Modeling

• Begin lessons by sharing a “learning moment” from your own life or teaching practice.

• Use collective language: “We’re not there yet” → reframes challenge as a shared journey.

• Encourage students to publicly reflect on challenges: create a “Learning Wall” or digital space for “What I learned from failing first.”

🤝 Co-Construct a Growth Culture

• Have students co-develop class norms around effort, feedback, and reflection.

• Use peer coaching circles: students give and receive feedback on process, not product.

• Invite student voice in revising classroom practices that feel “fixed” or discouraging.
  
  

🧠 For Teacher Reflection 

High-risk integration shifts mindset from individual lessons to instructional identity.

These moves demonstrate vulnerability, transparency, and trust—hallmarks of transformational leadership.
As you model risk-taking, you create psychological safety for students and colleagues to do the same.

Click here to see a more extensive list of SEL videos focused on growth mindset

Click here to see dozens of growth mindset ideas for both Elementary & Secondary classrooms!

If you are not already subscribed to "The First Five" we highly recommend you do that NOW.  The First Five gives educators daily tips, connection activities, brain breaks and MORE you can do with your class.