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Grow and Glow

Lesson Plan

Grow and Glow Lesson Plan

Students will explore the concept of growth mindset by sorting mindset statements, reflecting on a personal challenge, and practicing positive self-talk to reframe mistakes as learning opportunities.

Building a growth mindset in 2nd graders helps them become resilient learners who embrace challenges, learn from mistakes, and develop positive self-talk, boosting confidence and perseverance.

Audience

2nd Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Hands-on sorting, reflection, and peer sharing.

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

5 minutes

Step 1

Introduction to Growth Mindset

5 minutes

  • Welcome the group and define “growth mindset” vs. “fixed mindset.”
  • Explain that a growth mindset means believing abilities can improve with effort.
  • Share a quick teacher example of overcoming a challenge through practice.

Step 2

Mindset Sorting Activity

10 minutes

  • Display all Growth Mindset Prompt Cards face-down.
  • Invite students one by one to read a card aloud and place it in the pocket chart under “Growth” or “Fixed.”
  • Discuss each choice: why it fits growth or fixed mindset.

Step 3

Challenge Reflection

8 minutes

  • Distribute the Mistake Is Magic Reflection Sheet and whiteboards.
  • Prompt: “Think of a time you found something hard. Draw or write what happened and how you responded.”
  • Circulate and support students with prompts like “What did you learn?”

Step 4

Share and Encourage

5 minutes

  • Pair students to share one reflection from their sheet.
  • Encourage partners to use growth mindset feedback: “I notice you tried…,” “Next time you could….”
  • Invite a few volunteers to share with the whole group.

Step 5

Wrap-Up and Positive Self-Talk

2 minutes

  • Summarize: mistakes help us learn. Challenges help us grow.
  • Model reframing a negative thought (e.g., “I can’t do it” → “I can’t do it yet”).
  • Ask each student to say one positive phrase they’ll use when faced with a challenge.
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Slide Deck

Grow and Glow

A Growth Mindset Lesson for 2nd Grade

30-Minute Small-Group Session

Welcome everyone! Introduce yourself and explain that today we’ll learn how our brains grow when we practice and learn from mistakes.

Today’s Agenda

  1. What Is Growth Mindset?
  2. Mindset Sorting Activity
  3. Challenge Reflection
  4. Partner Share
  5. Positive Self-Talk
  6. Wrap-Up

Briefly walk through the agenda so students know what to expect.

What Is Growth Mindset?

Growth Mindset: Believing you can improve with effort.
Fixed Mindset: Believing abilities are set and can’t change.

Ask: “What does it mean to have a growth mindset?” Encourage answers. Then define fixed vs. growth.

Mindset Sorting Activity

• Shuffle and place cards face-down.
• Take turns reading one card aloud.
• Place it under “Growth” or “Fixed” on the pocket chart.
• Discuss why each fits where it goes.

Explain how to use the Growth Mindset Prompt Cards. Invite volunteers to pick cards and sort under Growth or Fixed.

Challenge Reflection

Think of a time something felt hard.
• Draw or write what happened.
• Describe how you tried and what you learned.

Distribute the Mistake Is Magic Reflection Sheet and whiteboards. Walk around to prompt thinking: “What did you learn?”

Partner Share

Turn to a partner and share:
“I noticed you tried…”
“Next time you could…”

Pair students and remind them to use the sentence starters. Listen in to highlight good feedback.

Positive Self-Talk

When you feel stuck, say:
• “I can’t do it…yet.”
• “I will learn from my mistake.”

Model reframing: “I can’t do it” → “I can’t do it yet.” Ask for student examples.

Wrap-Up

• Mistakes help us learn.
• Challenges help us grow.

What positive phrase will you use when it gets tough?

Summarize key ideas and ask each student to share one positive phrase they’ll remember.

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Worksheet

Growth Mindset Prompt Cards

Instructions: Cut along the lines to create individual cards. Students will sort them under “Growth Mindset” or “Fixed Mindset.”

I can’t do this

I can’t do this…yet

I’m not good at this

I’ll learn how to do this with practice

This is too hard

This may take some time and effort

I made a mistake, so I’m not smart

Mistakes help me learn and grow

I’ll never understand this

I’ll keep trying until I understand

This is too difficult for me

I can ask for help to get better

I failed at this

I haven’t figured it out yet

I’ll stop because it’s too challenging

Challenges help my brain grow

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Worksheet

Mistake Is Magic Reflection Sheet

Instructions: Think about a time something felt hard. Use this sheet to draw or write about your challenge and how you learned from it.

1. Draw Your Challenge

Draw or write what happened when you faced something hard:










2. What was the challenge?




3. How did you feel?




4. What did you do when it felt hard?







5. What did you learn from your mistake?







6. What positive phrase will you say to yourself next time?







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