Although Carol Dweck coined the
term and examined the theory in 2006, the concept has really gained steam in the
education world in the past few years. Growth mindset was explored in our most recent staff professional development day. However, the challenge from any PD session is to translate that into real results in student outcomes. Therefore, teachers were encouraged to share growth mindset related resources with each other, seek feedback from each
other, and analyze instructional practices to determine whether a growth or
fixed mindset message is being sent to our students.
The very next day, I had two
teachers share some powerful examples from their classroom.
One of the most impactful ways in
which we can help to teach our students about a growth mindset is to model the mindset
and behavior. The first teacher shared
his notes that he took in college about the same topic the students were
beginning to learn about. As he put the hand-written
notes on the screen for the students to see, they began to chuckle at the
elementary handwriting and weird shorthand. The teacher explained to his
students that he struggled how to take notes in college because he never properly
learned how to do it in middle or high school.
This opened up a deep conversation with his students about the
importance of learning how to effectively take notes in class. The teacher shared his struggles but demonstrated
how he persevered and grew academically.
This students were now ready and willing to learn how to do something
new!
The most powerful growth mindset
exercise that I have ever seen was shared with me by another teacher. She showed her students a short video clip of
motivation and growth mindset. Then she
had her students write a letter – to their self. She told the students she would
read the letters and write back. What an
amazing opportunity for this adult to connect and encourage our students to establish
a growth mindset! Here are a few snippets
of what some of the students wrote:
Dear
Self:
This
video speaks a lot to me because I frequently hold myself back from doing
things because I believe I’m not good enough.
It makes me wonder how many opportunities I’ve missed because of my “you
can’t do it” mentality. If I started
believing in myself, I could do amazing things instead of wondering “what could
have been?”
Dear
Self:
This
video hit hard. I’ve realized that I need
to stop telling myself that I’m not good enough. I don’t have to show everyone that I am the
best. Just myself. I am good enough! I’m not the best. But, I will be the
best. If I try my best, who cares if I’m
not the best. Just keep telling yourself
that you can. I know I can. I know I will. If your dad can do it, you can do it. Stay strong and remember that you can. No matter what everyone else thinks!
Dear
Self:
Opportunity
or obligation? Stop making it an
obligation. Stop believing that you’re
not good enough. Stop the mindset of
comparison. It’s not about being the
fastest in the lane or acing every test.
It’s about being better than before.
It’s about improvement and courage.
Not jealousy. Drive needs to be
there all of the time. Focus on
improvement, not success. Success will
come. Now believe it will. Then all the effort
pays off. But that won’t come without
urgency and the belief in yourself. Urgency
is essential. Improvement is as well.
Dear
Self:
What
I want you to take from this video is your mindset. What I want you to do is think
differently. All those negative thoughts….gone! I want you to think differently about your
future. I want to challenge you to work
harder at whatever you are striving for.
If you are going to do something do it right – put in 120%. Think about if you work that much harder how
much greater you can be. Effort pays
off. Have more positivity of that mindset
to get out there and chase your dreams.
To get there is going to take hard work.
I am going to need a positive mindset.
Failures and challenges will be a part of the process. I am okay with that. With this mindset I’m unstoppable. So get out there and become something. Become great.
