Lesson Plan
Growing Your Brain Lesson Plan
Students will distinguish between fixed and growth mindsets and practice using strategies to embrace challenges and learn from mistakes through discussion and hands-on sorting activities.
Cultivating a growth mindset empowers students to persevere, build resilience, and view effort as a path to mastery, boosting confidence and lifelong learning.
Audience
5th Grade Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, group sorting, and personal reflection.
Materials
Chart Paper, Markers, Growth Mindset Examples Cards, Growth Mindset Vocabulary Cards, Student Reflection Handout, and Sticky Notes
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Gather Chart Paper and Markers and set them in groups around the room
- Print and cut out Growth Mindset Examples Cards and Growth Mindset Vocabulary Cards
- Make enough copies of the Student Reflection Handout for each student
- Place Sticky Notes at each desk or station
- Review all materials to ensure smooth transitions between steps
Step 1
Warm-Up
5 minutes
- Ask students to think of a time they found something difficult and write a quick note on a Sticky Note about the challenge
- In pairs, have them share their Sticky Note stories and identify how they felt about the challenge
- Introduce the terms “fixed mindset” and “growth mindset,” asking students for examples based on their stories
Step 2
Teach
8 minutes
- Display a few Growth Mindset Examples Cards and read them aloud
- Discuss as a class why each example shows a fixed or growth mindset
- Introduce key vocabulary using Growth Mindset Vocabulary Cards and have students repeat definitions
- Emphasize that mistakes and effort help our brains grow
Step 3
Activity
10 minutes
- Divide students into small groups and give each group a set of Growth Mindset Examples Cards
- Provide each group with Chart Paper and Markers
- Instruct groups to sort the cards into two columns: fixed vs growth mindset
- Ask groups to write one strategy under the growth column that helps them shift mindsets when facing challenges
Step 4
Reflection & Assessment
7 minutes
- Distribute the Student Reflection Handout
- Students complete prompts: describe a recent challenge, identify mindset, and choose a strategy to try next time
- Collect handouts as an exit ticket and quickly review to gauge understanding
- Invite volunteers to share one takeaway with the class
Slide Deck
Growing Your Brain: Embracing a Growth Mindset
5th Grade • 30-Minute Lesson
Let’s learn how challenges, mistakes, and effort help our brains grow!
Welcome students and introduce today’s topic: growth mindset. Explain that ‘growing your brain’ means our brains can get stronger with effort and practice. Use an enthusiastic tone to set a positive mood.
Lesson Objectives
• Distinguish between fixed and growth mindsets
• Explore examples of each mindset
• Practice strategies to embrace challenges
• Reflect on a personal challenge and plan a growth strategy
Read each objective aloud. Emphasize that by the end of class they’ll know the difference between fixed and growth mindsets and have strategies to tackle challenges.
Warm-Up: Think & Share
- Think of a time you found something difficult.
- Write a quick note about that challenge on a sticky note.
- Share your story with a partner and discuss how you felt.
Distribute sticky notes or have students write on provided ones. Give 2 minutes for writing, then pair-share. Circulate to listen to stories and guide pairs.
Fixed vs. Growth Mindset
Fixed Mindset:
• Belief that abilities are set
• Avoid challenges
• Give up easily
Growth Mindset:
• Belief that effort builds skill
• Embrace challenges
• Learn from mistakes
Introduce the terms. Ask: Which mindset says ‘I can’t do it’? (fixed) Which says ‘I can learn’? (growth). Highlight key words in each definition.
Mindset Examples
• “I’m just not good at this.” → Fixed
• “Mistakes help me learn.” → Growth
• “I’ll never get this right.” → Fixed
• “I can improve with practice.” → Growth
Use Growth Mindset Examples Cards. Show 2–3 cards, read each, and ask students to identify fixed or growth. Invite volunteers to explain.
Key Vocabulary
Resilience: Bouncing back after setbacks
Persistence: Sticking with a task
Effort: Trying hard over time
Challenge: Something that pushes you
Display Growth Mindset Vocabulary Cards. Cover each word: resilience, persistence, effort, and challenge. Ask students to repeat definitions.
Group Activity
- In small groups, get a set of Growth Mindset Examples Cards.
- Sort cards into two columns: Fixed Mindset / Growth Mindset.
- Under Growth, write one strategy to use when facing a challenge.
Explain group sorting activity. Hand out example cards and materials. Walk groups through sorting fixed vs growth, then writing one strategy under growth.
Reflection
On your handout:
- Describe a recent challenge.
- Identify if you used a fixed or growth mindset.
- Choose one strategy to try next time.
Distribute Student Reflection Handout. Give students 5 minutes to complete. Encourage honesty and thoughtfulness.
Exit Ticket
• Turn in your reflection handout.
• Share one key takeaway with the class.
Collect handouts as exit tickets. Ask 1–2 volunteers to quickly share one takeaway in 30 seconds each.
Key Takeaways
• Abilities can grow with effort
• Mistakes are chances to learn
• Use strategies like persistence and resilience
• Keep challenging yourself!
Summarize the lesson: our brains grow with effort, mistakes are learning opportunities, and challenges help us improve. Encourage students to apply these ideas daily.
Worksheet
Growth Mindset Examples Cards
Cut out each statement below. In your group, sort the cards into Fixed Mindset and Growth Mindset columns.
“I'm just not good at this.”
“Mistakes help me learn.”
“This is too hard; I give up.”
“I haven't mastered this yet.”
“I can't do this.”
“I can improve with practice.”
“I'll never be smart enough.”
“Challenges help my brain grow.”
Worksheet
Growth Mindset Vocabulary Cards
Cut out each card below. On one side, you’ll see the term and its definition. On the back, write your own example sentence using the word.
Resilience
Definition: Bouncing back after setbacks.
Example Sentence:
Persistence
Definition: Sticking with a task even when it's tough.
Example Sentence:
Effort
Definition: Trying hard over time.
Example Sentence:
Challenge
Definition: Something that pushes you to grow.
Example Sentence:
Worksheet
Student Reflection Handout
Complete the prompts below to reflect on a challenge you’ve faced, identify your mindset, and plan a strategy to grow.
1. Describe a recent challenge you faced:
2. What mindset did you have when facing this challenge? (fixed or growth) Explain your answer:
3. Choose one growth mindset strategy to try next time. How will you apply this strategy when you face a challenge?
Warm Up
Growth Mindset Warm-Up
Get ready to activate your growth mindset with a quick think–pair–share!
- Think (1 minute):
Recall a time you found something challenging at school.
On a sticky note, write a one-sentence description of that challenge.
- Pair (2 minutes):
Find a partner and share your challenge. Discuss:- What made it difficult?
- How did you feel when you faced it?
- Share (2 minutes):
As a pair, choose one challenge story to share with the class.
Be ready to tell us:- What was the challenge?
- How did your partner feel or react?
Let’s learn how our brains grow when we talk about challenges and support each other!
Cool Down
Growth Mindset Exit Ticket
As we wrap up today’s lesson, take a moment to reflect on what you’ve learned and plan your next steps:
1. What is one new thing you learned about the growth mindset today?
2. Name one strategy from today’s lesson that you will use next time you face a challenge. How will you apply it?
3. On a scale of 1–5, how strongly do you believe you can improve your skills with effort? (Circle one)
1 2 3 4 5
Thank you—your responses are your exit ticket!