Embedded Files
By: Hannah Busone
Learning Targets:
1) Students will be able to define growth mindset.
2) Students will be able to identify an example of a positive growth mindset.
What is a growth mindset?
Growth mindset is having the ability to believe that your talents can be developed. This can be developed in a classroom by measuring individual growth through KWL charts, positive affirmation posters around the classroom, and self-reflections. In Robinson's study (2017), they explain that a growth mindset can help influence learning behaviors by involving students in tracking their individual progress and setting goals to invest in their learning progress. In Meierdirk's study (2016), they explain that people with a growth mindset see difficult problems as a challenge, which will help them grow and improve. A student with a fixed mindset could have a fear of failing and not be motivated to try, while a student with a growth mindset would be ready to take on the challenge head on. Developing a growth mindset will not happen overnight, it will take time to slowly learn a new way of thinking (Meierdirk, C. 2016).
One way to change a fixed mindset sentence is by adding the word "yet" to the end. ex: I don't understand this... yet. I'm not good at this... yet.
The video explains an example of two seeds who were planted in the same garden with the same experiences. One developed a growth mindset and was very curious, full of life, and ready to grow as tall as it possibly can. The seed with a growth mindset still knows the possibilities that could arise but it's curiosity is stronger than the doubts. The other seed developed a fixed mindset and was filled with fear that the sun would be too strong and burns it's leaves as it grows and doesn't want to sprout because of the scary possibilities that could arise.
A fixed mindset can look like:
negative thoughts clouding your mind
thinking that you cannot do something
things can seem too hard
avoiding challenges
may believe that if you are not good at something, you never will be
A growth mindset can look like:
reaching your goals by putting in effort
failure being a normal part of your journey and you have to overcome the obstacles that you face
challenges and mistakes help you learn
striving to become the best version of yourself
When a teacher can reintroduce a positive growth mindset in a classroom...
Annie is a kindergartener, who was very stressed out at school on Wednesday. She had to take a test and didn't know the answer to one of the questions. She says "This is too hard. I just can't do it. I give up." Annie completely shuts down and is unwilling to figure out how to overcome this obstacle she is facing. Her teacher comforts her and assures her that she can do it, but Annie is unwilling to try again. The teacher understands that she needs instill positivity in her classroom. She starts doing positive affirmations in the morning with her students, as well as giving out KWL charts to help her students measure what they learn. Instead of the fixed mindset that Annie had when she was given her test, she starts to develop a positive growth mindset that helps her set goals and overcome obstacles that she faces.
Conclusion:
A positive growth mindset is valuable in a classroom for both teachers and students. It creates a positive outlook on overcoming obstacles, setting goals, and reflecting on your progress. A student that believes that they can not accomplish an assignment will not be as willing to try. If a teacher instills a positive growth mindset within their classroom, students will be more willing to complete tasks, set goals, and see ways that they can improve. If a teacher has a student that is not completing the assignments or participating in class, the teacher should try to determine if the student is lacking knowledge or lacking self encouragement.
Quiz:
1) What is growth mindset?
a. a way for students to have a good attitude
b. a way for students to understand what a positive attitude looks like
c. the ability to believe that your talents can be developed
d. the ability to not do assignments
2) Which student would need assistance developing a growth mindset?
a. Anniston: believes that she can do any obstacle that she faces.
b: Bronson: thinks that he may not understand this assignment yet, but he can do it.
c. Celeste: thinks that she is not capable of doing the work because she is afraid of getting a bad grade.
d. Dominque: believes that he is capable of doing any assignment he is assigned.
References:
Meierdirk, C. (2016). Developing a growth mindset. Teaching Business & Economics, 20(1), 25.
https://www.proquest.com/docview/1789702125?pq-origsite=gscholar&fromopenview=true
Robinson, C. (2017). Growth mindset in the classroom. Science Scope, 41(2), 18.
https://www.proquest.com/docview/1942178538?pq-origsite=gscholar&fromopenview=true
YouTube. (2019). YouTube. Retrieved March 8, 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUJkbWNnNy4.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUJkbWNnNy4
Answers:
Answers:
1) D- the ability to believe that your talents can be developed
2) C- Celeste: thinks that she is not capable of doing the work because she is afraid of getting a bad grade.
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