Title: Developing a Growth Mindset
Grade Level: 6-8
Objective: - Students will understand the concept of a growth mindset and its importance in personal and academic growth. - Students will identify and challenge fixed mindset thoughts and replace them with growth mindset thoughts. - Students will develop strategies to cultivate a growth mindset in their daily lives.
Materials: - Whiteboard or chart paper - Markers - Handouts with fixed mindset statements - Handouts with growth mindset statements - Index cards or sticky notes - Inspirational quotes related to growth mindset (optional)
Procedure:
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Introduction (10 minutes): a. Begin the lesson by asking students if they have ever faced challenges or felt discouraged when trying to learn something new. b. Discuss the difference between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset. Explain that a fixed mindset believes that abilities and intelligence are fixed traits, while a growth mindset believes that abilities can be developed through effort, practice, and learning from mistakes. c. Share examples of famous people who have demonstrated a growth mindset, such as Thomas Edison or Michael Jordan.
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Fixed Mindset vs. Growth Mindset (15 minutes): a. Divide the class into small groups and distribute handouts with fixed mindset statements. b. Instruct each group to discuss and identify the fixed mindset thoughts in the statements. c. Ask each group to share their findings with the class and write them on the whiteboard or chart paper. d. Discuss the negative impact of fixed mindset thoughts on personal and academic growth.
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Challenging Fixed Mindset Thoughts (15 minutes): a. Distribute handouts with growth mindset statements. b. Instruct each group to discuss and identify the growth mindset thoughts in the statements. c. Ask each group to share their findings with the class and write them on the whiteboard or chart paper. d. Discuss the positive impact of growth mindset thoughts on personal and academic growth. e. Encourage students to challenge their fixed mindset thoughts and replace them with growth mindset thoughts.
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Strategies for Cultivating a Growth Mindset (15 minutes): a. Provide students with index cards or sticky notes. b. Instruct them to write down one fixed mindset thought they often have and one growth mindset thought they can replace it with. c. Ask students to share their thoughts with a partner or in small groups. d. Discuss strategies for cultivating a growth mindset, such as embracing challenges, seeking feedback, learning from mistakes, and setting goals.
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Reflection and Closure (5 minutes): a. Have students reflect on what they have learned about growth mindset. b. Ask them to share one strategy they plan to implement in their daily lives to develop a growth mindset. c. Share an inspirational quote related to growth mindset (optional). d. Summarize the importance of having a growth mindset and how it can positively impact personal and academic growth.
Extensions: - Have students create posters or artwork that represent growth mindset and display them in the classroom or school. - Assign a growth mindset journal where students can reflect on their progress in developing a growth mindset. - Invite a guest speaker who can share their personal experiences with developing a growth mindset.
Assessment: - Observe students’ participation and engagement during group discussions. - Review students’ index cards or sticky notes to assess their understanding of fixed and growth mindset thoughts. - Evaluate students’ reflections on their chosen strategies for cultivating a growth mindset.