Time
5-10 minutes per day
Level
Junior / Intermediate
Material
Large poster cardboard, art supplies
Purpose
To provide visual reminders of key growth mindset concepts to support student learning and motivation in the classroom
- Use statements that help remind students about what a growth mindset looks like:
- “The point isn’t to get it all right away. The point is to grow your understanding step by step. What can you try next?”
- “That feeling of math being hard is the feeling of your brain growing.”
- “If you catch yourself saying, ‘I’m not a math person,’ just add the word ‘yet’ to the end of the sentence.”
- Invite students to design and create a poster about the statement of their choice. Display the art in the classroom to support a welcoming, inclusive environment that inspires and promotes a positive mindset.
- This could be done on recipe cards and kept on student desks, or as part of a journal, as a personal reminder to be gentle with ourselves as learners.
- Provide examples of growth mindset statements, then discuss using this mindset in daily experiences.
- Inspirational quotes can be written on the board each morning.
- This may be a good initial growth mindset lesson for students.
Taking a growth mindset appears to be a helpful tool for facing challenges. It provides a space for learning through difficulties, and for thriving in spite of hurdles (Dweck 2006; Dweck, 2008; Boaler, 2013). Though the evidence base is young in this area, encouraging a growth mindset seems to hold promise for reframing negative life events and inspiring positive action.
Boaler, J. (2013, March). Ability and mathematics: The mindset revolution that is reshaping education. In Forum (Vol. 55, No. 1, pp. 143-152). Symposium Journals.
Dweck, C. S. (2006). Mindset: The new psychology of success. New York: Random House.
Dweck, C. S. (2008). Mindsets and Math. Science Achievement, 2, 1-1.
God calls us to use our gifts and talents, to continue to become the best versions of ourselves, even through challenging situations.
(3c) A reflective and creative thinker who thinks reflectively and creatively to evaluate situations and solve problems.
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