Growth Mindset Script

Warm-Up: What's Your "Yet"? (5 minutes)

Teacher: "Good morning, everyone! Today, we're going to talk about something really powerful: how our brains learn and grow. I want you to take a moment and think about something that you find challenging. Maybe it's a math problem, learning to play a new game, or even a sport."

"Now, I want you to think about that challenge and complete this sentence in your head: 'I can't do that... yet!' The word 'yet' is super important. For me, I can't speak fluent French... yet! But I'm learning!"

"Who would like to share their 'yet' statement with the group? Remember, there's no right or wrong answer, just honest thoughts about what you're still working on."

(Listen to 2-3 student responses, affirming each with a nod and a reinforcing 'yet.')

Reading & Discussion: "I Can't Do That...Yet" (10 minutes)

Teacher: "Fantastic! So we all have things we're still learning. Today, we're going to read a wonderful book called 'I Can't Do That...Yet.' As I read, I want you to listen carefully to how the characters react when they face something difficult. Do they give up? Or do they try a new way?"

(Read the book aloud. Pause at key moments for discussion. Here are some suggested pausing points and questions:)

• After a character faces an initial struggle:
  • "What is [character's name] thinking right now? Do they sound frustrated?"
  • "What does it mean to have a 'fixed mindset' here? It's when you think, 'I can't do it, so I should just stop.'"
• When a character decides to try a different approach or asks for help:
  • "What did [character's name] do differently? Why do you think they made that choice?"
  • "This is what we call a 'growth mindset'! It's when you believe that with effort and new strategies, you can improve."
• After a character shows progress or overcomes a challenge:
  • "How is [character's name] feeling now? What helped them get to this point?"
  • "What lesson can we learn from [character's name]'s journey?"

Teacher: "Great job listening and sharing your thoughts! We saw how the characters learned that their brains are like muscles – the more they work them, the stronger they get!"

Mindset Makeover Activity (10 minutes)

Teacher: "Now it's your turn to be Mindset Makeover artists! I'm going to give each of you a Mindset Makeover Worksheet. On this sheet, you'll see some statements that sound like a 'fixed mindset.' Your job is to transform them into 'growth mindset' statements. You'll take an 'I can't' and turn it into an 'I can learn!'."

"Let's do the first one together. The first statement says: 'This is too hard. I'll never understand it.'"

"How could we change that to a growth mindset statement? What could someone with a growth mindset say instead?"

(Guide students to offer suggestions like, "This is challenging, but I can ask for help or try a new strategy" or "I don't understand it yet, but I will keep working on it.")

Teacher: "Excellent! Now you'll work on the rest of the statements. Remember to think about what the characters in our book did. If you get stuck, remember you can always ask for help, just like they did!"

(Circulate, providing support and positive reinforcement. Encourage students to explain their reasoning.)

Cool Down: Our Group Growth Pledge (5 minutes)

Teacher: "Alright, everyone, let's bring it back together. I saw some amazing mindset makeovers happening!"

"Who would like to share one of the growth mindset statements they created, or one thing they learned today about growing their mindset?"

(Allow a few students to share.)

Teacher: "To finish our session, let's create a 'Group Growth Pledge' together. This is a promise we make to ourselves and to each other. What's one thing we can all agree to do to show our growth mindset this week?"

(Write down student suggestions on a whiteboard or chart paper. Help synthesize them into a short, positive pledge.)

Teacher: "Wonderful! Our pledge is: [Read the pledge aloud.] Let's remember this pledge as we face new challenges. Great job today, everyone! Keep growing!"

Mindset Makeover: Turn "Can't" into "Can Learn!"

Name: ____________________________

Sometimes, when things are tough, our brains tell us things that sound like a fixed mindset. This means we think our abilities can't change.

But we know our brains can grow! With a growth mindset, we believe we can get better with effort and new strategies.

Your job is to be a mindset makeover artist! Read each Fixed Mindset Statement and turn it into a Growth Mindset Statement. The first one is done for you!

Fixed Mindset Statement 1:

"This is too hard. I'll never understand it."

Growth Mindset Statement 1:

"This is challenging, but I can ask for help or try a new strategy. I might not understand it yet, but I will keep working on it."

Fixed Mindset Statement 2:

"I made a mistake. I'm not smart enough to do this."

Growth Mindset Statement 2:

Fixed Mindset Statement 3:

"I'm not good at drawing, so I won't even try."

Growth Mindset Statement 3:

Fixed Mindset Statement 4:

"It's too much work to practice. I just want to be good already."

Growth Mindset Statement 4:

Fixed Mindset Statement 5:

"My friend is better than me at this, so there's no point in me trying."

Growth Mindset Statement 5:

Reflect and Share!

Which of your new growth mindset statements are you most proud of? Why?

What is one new thing you learned today about having a growth mindset?