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Growth Garden Mindset

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Lesson Plan

Growth Garden Mindset

Students will understand the difference between a fixed and growth mindset, recognize challenges as opportunities, and practice positive self-talk using a plant-themed analogy.

Developing a growth mindset helps students build resilience, embrace challenges, and cultivate a love for learning, which is crucial for their academic and personal growth.

Audience

Pre-K to 2nd Grade

Time

45-60 minutes

Approach

Through storytelling, interactive discussion, and a hands-on activity.

Materials

Projector or Whiteboard, Growth Garden Mindset Slides, Growth Garden Activity, My Growth Sprout Worksheet, Drawing materials (crayons, markers), Construction paper or small cards, and Pencils

Prep

Prepare Materials

15 minutes

  • Review the Growth Garden Mindset Slides and practice the script.
    - Print copies of the My Growth Sprout Worksheet for each student.
    - Gather drawing materials (crayons, markers) and construction paper/small cards for the activity.
    - Ensure projector or whiteboard is ready for the slide presentation.

Step 1

Introduction: What's in Your Head?

5 minutes

  • Begin with a quick interactive question: "What do you think about when something is really hard?" Allow students to share.
    - Introduce the idea that our brains are amazing and can grow, just like plants! Use Growth Garden Mindset Slides to introduce the concept.

Step 2

Story Time: Fixed vs. Growth

10 minutes

  • Read a short story or use an example (either fictional or a simple scenario relevant to their age) to illustrate the difference between a fixed mindset (giving up easily,

Step 3

Growth Garden Activity

20 minutes

  • Introduce the Growth Garden Activity. Explain that students will create their own "growth sprouts" to help their brains grow.
    - Guide students through thinking about a challenge they've faced and how they can use a growth mindset to overcome it.
    - Students will draw or write (depending on age/ability) on their construction paper/cards. They can draw a

Step 4

My Growth Sprout Worksheet

7-10 minutes

  • Distribute the My Growth Sprout Worksheet.
    - Instruct students to draw or write about one way their brain can grow, or a new thing they want to learn and how effort will help them achieve it.
    - Circulate and provide support, encouraging students to use growth mindset language.

Step 5

Wrap-up & Share

5 minutes

  • Invite a few students to share their growth sprouts or their worksheet responses.
    - Reiterate the main message: "Every time you try, you grow! Your brain is like a muscle – the more you use it, the stronger it gets."
    - Conclude by praising effort and participation.
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Slide Deck

Welcome to the Growth Garden!

Today, we're going to learn about how our brains can grow, just like plants!

Welcome students and introduce the topic of how our brains grow.

What Do You Do When Things Are Hard?

Do you give up? Or do you try another way?

Ask students what they think about when things are hard. Guide them to think about how they approach challenges.

The Rocky Road Mindset ⛰️

This is when your brain says, "I can't do it!" or "It's too hard!"

It's like a rock; it doesn't change.

Explain the concept of a fixed mindset – when we think our abilities are set and can't change.

The Growth Garden Mindset 🌱

This is when your brain says, "I can't do it YET!" or "I'll try my best!"

It's like a plant; it grows bigger and stronger!

Introduce the growth mindset – the idea that our brains can grow stronger with effort, like a plant.

Which Seed Will You Plant?

Fixed Mindset Seed: "I'm not good at this."
Growth Mindset Seed: "I'll keep practicing!"

Give examples of fixed vs. growth mindset statements. Encourage students to think about which one helps them learn.

Mistakes Help Us Grow!

Every mistake is a chance for your brain to get smarter.

Like watering a plant!

Explain that making mistakes is how our brains learn and grow. It's part of the process!

Your Growth Sprout Activity!

Let's make our own reminders to help our brains grow bigger and stronger!

Introduce the activity. Explain that students will create their own growth sprouts.

Keep Growing!

Remember, your brain is amazing. The more you try, the more it GROWS!

Review the key message: effort helps our brains grow. Encourage positive self-talk.

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Activity

Your Own Growth Garden Sprout!

Just like plants need sunshine and water to grow, our brains need effort and positive thinking to grow strong!

Materials:

  • Construction paper or small cards
  • Crayons, markers, or colored pencils
  • Scissors (for cutting out sprout shapes, optional)

Instructions:

  1. Think of a Challenge: Think about something that was hard for you to do, or something you want to learn that feels tricky right now. Maybe learning to tie your shoes, reading a new word, or building a tall tower.






  2. The "Stuck" Thought: What is a thought your brain might have when something is hard? This is like a tiny, unhelpful seed. For example: "I can't do it!" or "This is too hard for me!" Write or draw this thought on one side of your paper.






  3. The "Growing" Thought: Now, think about what your brain could say to help you grow. This is your

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Worksheet

My Growth Sprout

Name: ________________________

Just like a plant grows bigger and stronger with water and sunshine, your brain grows bigger and stronger when you try new things and keep practicing!

What is one new thing your brain can learn or get better at? Draw a picture or write about it below!













How will you help your brain grow and learn this new thing?













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