Lesson Plan
Dare to Be Wrong Lesson Plan
Students will engage in Mistake Bingo and group discussions to recognize mistakes as learning opportunities, build a growth mindset, and enhance self-awareness. They’ll reflect on personal “oops” moments and receive feedback via a growth-based participation rubric.
Normalizing mistakes fosters a safe learning environment, strengthens resilience, and promotes self-awareness. Students learn that errors are stepping stones to growth, boosting confidence and lifelong learning skills.
Audience
11th Grade Students
Time
40 minutes
Approach
Fun games + guided reflection.
Materials
- Mistake Bingo Cards, - Oops Moments Discussion Guide, - Growth-Based Participation Rubric, - Whiteboard and Markers, - Timer, and - Student Journals or Notebooks
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Print enough Mistake Bingo Cards for each student
- Print one copy of the Oops Moments Discussion Guide
- Print and review the Growth-Based Participation Rubric
- Set up whiteboard with prompts and ensure timer is ready
Step 1
Introduction to Growth Mindset
5 minutes
- Define growth mindset and self-awareness briefly
- Explain that making mistakes helps us learn
- Review rules of Mistake Bingo and distribute cards
Step 2
Play Mistake Bingo
15 minutes
- Hand out Mistake Bingo Cards and pens
- Students mingle to find peers who match the mistakes in each square
- Each peer signs the square when they have that ‘oops’ experience
- First to complete a row shouts “Bingo!” and shares a favorite mistake story
Step 3
Share Oops Moments
10 minutes
- Regroup and reference the Oops Moments Discussion Guide
- Invite 3–4 volunteers to share a mistake and what they learned
- Highlight growth-mindset language and normalize error-making
Step 4
Reflection Activity
5 minutes
- Ask students to write in journals one way they’ll apply today’s lesson to a future goal
- Encourage one or two students to share their reflections aloud
Step 5
Assess and Close
5 minutes
- Use the Growth-Based Participation Rubric to provide feedback on engagement and risk-taking
- Acknowledge courageous participation and remind students that mistakes drive growth
- Collect materials and thank students for their openness
Slide Deck
Dare to Be Wrong
Embracing Mistakes for Growth
A 40-minute SEL session for 11th graders
Welcome everyone! Introduce the session: “Dare to Be Wrong.” Emphasize we’ll have fun games and discussions to see mistakes as learning steps.
Learning Objectives
• Recognize mistakes as opportunities to learn
• Build a growth mindset through risk-taking
• Increase self-awareness by reflecting on ‘oops’ moments
Read through each objective, explain why they matter, and connect to students’ lives.
Mistake Bingo Instructions
- Receive a Mistake Bingo Card.
- Mingle and find classmates who’ve had each ‘oops’ experience.
- Get their initials in the matching square.
- First to complete a row shouts “Bingo!” and shares a favorite mistake story.
Explain rules step-by-step. Encourage students to mingle, ask questions, and share stories.
Share Your ‘Oops!’ Moments
• Volunteer to describe a recent mistake
• Explain what you learned
• Discuss how that lesson will help you next time
(Refer to the Oops Moments Discussion Guide)
Use the guide to keep discussion focused. Call on volunteers and highlight growth-mindset language.
Reflection Activity
• In your journal, write one way you’ll apply today’s lesson to a future goal.
• Be specific: What’s the goal? How will you handle mistakes?
Invite one or two students to read their journal entries. Reinforce honest reflection.
Growth-Based Participation Rubric
We’ll assess:
• Willingness to share mistakes
• Engagement in activities
• Reflection depth
(See full details in the Growth-Based Participation Rubric)
Walk through each rubric criterion. Use examples from today’s activities to illustrate feedback.
Remember…
“Mistakes are proof that you’re trying. Embrace them and grow.”
Close with energy and sincerity. Remind students that mistakes mean they’re learning.
Game
Mistake Bingo Cards
Instructions: Use this card to find classmates who have experienced these “oops” moments. Mingle around, ask questions, and get each peer’s initials in the matching square. The first student to complete a row, column, or diagonal shouts “Bingo!” and then shares one of the stories they collected.
| Forgot to submit an assignment | Missed the bus | Sent a text to the wrong person | Raised hand at the wrong time | Forgot to charge your phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spilled coffee on homework | Forgot a friend’s birthday | Went to class in pajamas | Locked yourself out of your locker | Forgot where you parked |
| Answered a question incorrectly | Dropped your phone | Burned food at home | Misspelled a word in an email | Left lunch at home |
| Came in late because you snoozed | Forgot your homework in another class | Tripped in the hallway | Lost your glasses | Posted something embarrassing online |
| Got a math problem wrong | Spilled water on a project | Forgot to proofread | Set an alarm for PM instead of AM | Accidentally deleted a file |
Discussion
Oops Moments Discussion Guide
Purpose: Facilitate a respectful, growth-mindset conversation where students share mistakes (“oops” moments), reflect on learning, and normalize errors as part of growth.
1. Setting the Tone (1 minute)
- Remind everyone that this is a safe space.
- Mistakes are normal—sharing builds self-awareness for all of us.
- Use positive, growth-mindset language (e.g., “I haven’t mastered this yet”).
2. Guidelines for Sharing (1 minute)
- Speak in first person: “I…”
- Be brief and specific.
- Listen actively and respectfully—no interruptions or judgments.
3. Core Discussion Prompts (7 minutes)
Prompt 1: Describe the Mistake
- What happened?
Prompt 2: Immediate Reaction
- How did you feel in the moment?
Prompt 3: Actions Taken
- What did you do right after you realized the mistake?
Prompt 4: Learning and Growth
- What lesson did you take away?
Prompt 5: Future Application
- How will you handle a similar situation next time?
Invite 3–4 volunteers to share responses. Highlight growth-mindset phrases (“I tried”, “next time I’ll…”, “this step helped me learn”).
4. Follow-Up Questions (as needed)
- How might this lesson help you in other areas (school, work, relationships)?
- What support would you find helpful when you make mistakes?
- How did it feel to share your experience?
5. Connection to Assessment & Closure (1 minute)
- Remind students you’ll use the Growth-Based Participation Rubric to recognize courage and active listening.
- Reinforce: “Every ‘oops’ is an opportunity to grow.”
Rubric
Growth-Based Participation Rubric
Use this rubric to provide feedback on students’ courage, engagement, and reflection during the “Dare to Be Wrong” session. Score each criterion from 1–4, then add for a total out of 12.
| Criteria | 4 – Exemplary | 3 – Proficient | 2 – Developing | 1 – Beginning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Willingness to Share Mistakes | • Voluntarily shares multiple mistakes with clear lessons learned. • Encourages peers to share. | • Shares at least one mistake without prompting. • Describes lesson learned. | • Shares only when prompted. • Lesson is vague or partial. | • Does not share or remains silent. |
| Engagement in Activities | • Actively participates in every activity. • Listens and responds to peers. • Maintains focus throughout. | • Participates consistently. • Asks or answers questions appropriately. | • Participates with occasional prompting. • Focus drifts at times. | • Minimal to no participation. • Distracted or off-task. |
| Reflection Depth & Growth Language | • Provides thoughtful, specific reflections on lessons learned and future application. • Uses growth-mindset phrases (e.g., “not yet,” “next time I’ll…”). | • Reflects with some details about learning and future steps. • Uses at least one growth-mindset phrase. | • Reflection is general or superficial. • Little to no future application. • Rarely uses growth language. | • Reflection missing or off-topic. • No evidence of growth-mindset. |
Total Score: ____ / 12
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