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Growth Mindset Garden

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Sabrina Cardona

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Growth Mindset Garden

Students will understand the concept of a growth mindset, identify fixed vs. growth mindset statements, and apply growth mindset principles to personal challenges.

Fostering a growth mindset empowers students to overcome obstacles, embrace learning, and achieve their full potential. It builds resilience and a positive attitude towards challenges in all aspects of life.

Audience

K-12th Grade Students (adaptable content)

Time

60-90 minutes (adaptable)

Approach

Interactive stories, discussions, planting activity, and creative project.

Materials

Growth Mindset Garden Slide Deck, Fixed vs. Growth Mindset Statements Worksheet, Small pots or cups (one per student), Potting soil, Fast-growing seeds (e.g., bean, radish, marigold), Art supplies (crayons, markers, colored pencils), and My Growth Plant Project Guide

Prep

Prepare Materials

30 minutes

  • Review the Growth Mindset Garden Slide Deck and customize as needed.
    - Print copies of the Fixed vs. Growth Mindset Statements Worksheet.
    - Gather small pots/cups, potting soil, and seeds.
    - Prepare art supplies for the project.
    - Familiarize yourself with the My Growth Plant Project Guide.

Step 1

Warm-Up: Brain Power (10 minutes)

10 minutes

  • Begin with a quick discussion: "What does it mean to be 'smart'? Can you get smarter?"
    - Use Growth Mindset Garden Slide Deck (Slide 1-2) to introduce the concept.

Step 2

Introduction: Fixed vs. Growth (15 minutes)

15 minutes

  • Present the difference between a fixed and growth mindset using Growth Mindset Garden Slide Deck (Slide 3-5).
    - Distribute the Fixed vs. Growth Mindset Statements Worksheet and have students identify statements. Discuss as a class.

Step 3

Activity: Planting Our Growth (25 minutes)

25 minutes

  • Explain that just like plants grow, our brains can grow too. Introduce the idea of brain elasticity. Use Growth Mindset Garden Slide Deck (Slide 6) to transition.
    - Distribute pots, soil, and seeds. Guide students through planting their seeds, emphasizing that this plant will be a symbol of their own growth mindset journey.
    - Explain the My Growth Plant Project Guide and the expectations for decorating their pot and creating a plant stake. Students can begin decorating and brainstorming their growth goals.

Step 4

Project Introduction & Work Time (20 minutes)

20 minutes

  • Review the My Growth Plant Project Guide in detail.
    - Provide students with time to start working on Part 2: Design Your Growth Plant Stake, encouraging thoughtful reflection on their growth goals and strategies.
    - Circulate and provide support and feedback.

Step 5

Wrap-Up & Reflection (10 minutes)

10 minutes

  • Have students share their growth goals or an insight they gained from the lesson (e.g., one new thing they learned about their brain or a growth mindset statement they want to remember).
    - Use Growth Mindset Garden Slide Deck (Slide 8) for final encouragement.
    - Remind students to continue caring for their plant and observing its growth, connecting it back to their personal growth journey.
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Slide Deck

Welcome to Our Growth Mindset Garden!

What does it mean to be 'smart'?

Can you get smarter?

Welcome students and introduce the day's topic. Ask students what they think it means to be 'smart.' Prompt them to consider if intelligence is something you're born with or something that can grow.

Your Brain is Like a Garden!

Just like a garden, your brain can grow and blossom!

Every time you learn something new, your brain makes new connections.

Explain that today we're going to explore how our brains are like gardens that can grow. Emphasize that everyone has the ability to learn and improve.

Fixed Mindset: The "Stuck" Garden

A fixed mindset means you believe:

  • "I'm either good at it or I'm not."
  • "My intelligence is set."
  • "Mistakes are bad."
  • "If it's hard, I should give up."

Introduce the concept of a 'fixed mindset.' Give examples of what someone with a fixed mindset might say.

Growth Mindset: The "Growing" Garden

A growth mindset means you believe:

  • "I can learn anything if I work hard."
  • "My intelligence can grow with effort."
  • "Mistakes help me learn."
  • "Challenges help me grow stronger."

Introduce the 'growth mindset.' Explain how it differs from a fixed mindset and provide examples.

Fixed or Growth? Let's Decide!

Read the statements and decide:

"I can't do math."
"I'll keep trying until I understand."
"This is too hard."
"What can I learn from this mistake?"

Engage students by showing them examples of both fixed and growth mindset statements. Ask them to identify which is which.

Planting Our Growth Mindset!

Just like these seeds need care to grow, our brains need effort to grow!

We will plant a seed and watch it grow, reminding us of our own potential.

Explain the planting activity. Connect the act of planting seeds to nurturing our own growth mindset. Emphasize that growth takes time and effort.

My Growth Plant Project

Decorate your pot!

Write about:

  • Something you want to learn or get better at.
  • How you will show a growth mindset when it gets tough.
  • What steps you will take to help your 'growth plant' (your brain) blossom!

Introduce the project where students will decorate their pot and write about their growth plan. Encourage creativity and personal reflection.

Keep Growing!

Remember, your brain is amazing!

With a growth mindset, you can achieve anything you set your mind to.

Keep learning, keep trying, and keep growing!

Conclude the lesson by summarizing key takeaways. Reiterate that everyone has the power to grow their brain and that effort is key.

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Worksheet

Fixed vs. Growth Mindset Statements

Instructions: Read each statement below. If you think it sounds like a Fixed Mindset, write an "F" next to it. If you think it sounds like a Growth Mindset, write a "G" next to it.

  1. "I'm not good at this, so there's no point in trying."


  2. "I can learn anything if I put in the effort."


  3. "This is too hard. I should just give up."


  4. "Mistakes help me learn and get better."


  5. "I'm either smart or I'm not. There's nothing I can do."


  6. "I like challenges because they help me grow."


  7. "If I fail, it means I'm not smart."


  8. "I'll ask for help when I get stuck."


  9. "I don't like trying new things if I might look silly."


  10. "I can improve my skills with practice and hard work."


Think About It:

  1. Which mindset do you think helps you learn more? Why?





  2. Can you think of a time when you had a fixed mindset? What happened?





  3. Can you think of a time when you had a growth mindset? What happened?





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Project Guide

My Growth Plant Project Guide

Objective:

To creatively express your understanding of a growth mindset by designing a "growth plant" that represents your personal learning journey and goals.

Materials:

  • Small pot or cup
  • Potting soil
  • Seeds (bean, radish, marigold, etc.)
  • Art supplies (crayons, markers, colored pencils, glitter, etc.)
  • Paper or small card for your plant stake

Instructions:

Part 1: Plant Your Seed (10-15 minutes)

  1. Decorate Your Pot: Use art supplies to decorate your pot or cup. Think about colors, patterns, and images that represent growth, learning, and strength. You can draw things that make you feel smart or strong, or symbols of new beginnings.
  2. Plant Your Seed: Fill your decorated pot with potting soil. Carefully plant a few seeds in the soil according to the seed packet instructions. Water your seeds gently.
  3. Reflect: As you plant your seed, think about how it's similar to growing your brain. Both need care, time, and the right environment to grow.

Part 2: Design Your Growth Plant Stake (20-30 minutes)

On a piece of paper or a small card (which will become your plant stake), answer the following questions. You can decorate this stake too!

  1. My Growth Goal: What is one thing you want to learn or get better at this year? (e.g., a new math skill, reading more, being a better friend, learning an instrument)





  2. Growth Mindset in Action: How will you show a growth mindset when this learning gets tough or if you make mistakes? Think about specific actions or thoughts. (e.g., "I will say 'I can't do it YET' instead of 'I can't do it,'" or "I will ask my teacher for help.")










  3. Nurturing My Growth: What steps will you take to help your "growth plant" (your brain) blossom in this area? (e.g., practice for 10 minutes every day, read books about the topic, work with a partner, ask questions)










Part 3: Ongoing Care and Reflection

  • Place Your Stake: Once you've completed your plant stake, carefully place it in your pot with your seed.
  • Water and Observe: Take care of your seed by watering it regularly and ensuring it gets sunlight. Observe its growth over the coming weeks.
  • Connect to Your Growth: Each time you water your plant or see it grow, remember your own growth goal and the growth mindset strategies you committed to. How is your own learning growing, just like your plant?

Sharing (Optional):

Be prepared to share your decorated pot, your growth plant stake, and your growth goal with a small group or the class. Explain what you want to grow and how you will use a growth mindset to achieve it.

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