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Growth Mindset Garden

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Emily Godlew

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Growth Mindset Garden Lesson Plan

Students will be able to define a growth mindset, understand the power of the word "yet," and identify ways to apply a growth mindset to their own challenges, fostering resilience and a love for learning.

Fostering a growth mindset early helps students embrace challenges, learn from mistakes, and develop a lasting love for learning, impacting their academic and personal success.

Audience

2nd and 3rd Grade Students

Time

45 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, visual aids, and a hands-on metaphorical garden activity.

Materials

  • Growth Mindset Garden Slide Deck, - Construction paper or cardstock, - Markers, crayons, or colored pencils, - Scissors, - Glue sticks, - Soil and small planters (optional, for a real garden element), - Seeds (optional, for a real garden element), - My Growth Garden Activity Sheet, and - My Growth Garden Journal

Prep

Prepare Materials

15 minutes

  • Review the Growth Mindset Garden Lesson Plan and all generated materials.
    - Print copies of the My Growth Garden Activity Sheet (one per student).
    - Print copies of the My Growth Garden Journal (one per student).
    - Gather construction paper, markers, crayons, colored pencils, scissors, and glue sticks.
    - (Optional) Prepare small planters, soil, and seeds if you plan to create a real garden element.

Step 1

Introduction: What is a Mindset?

5 minutes

  • Begin with an engaging question: "What do you think a 'mindset' is?"
    - Use Growth Mindset Garden Slide Deck Slide 1 to introduce the concept of a mindset as our way of thinking.
    - Explain that we have two main kinds of mindsets: fixed and growth.

Step 2

Fixed vs. Growth Mindset

10 minutes

  • Use Growth Mindset Garden Slide Deck Slides 2-4 to explain the difference between a fixed mindset (thinking abilities are set) and a growth mindset (thinking abilities can grow).
    - Share examples of fixed mindset statements (e.g., "I can't do it") and growth mindset statements (e.g., "I can't do it yet").
    - Emphasize the power of the word "yet."

Step 3

The Power of "Yet"

5 minutes

  • Use Growth Mindset Garden Slide Deck Slide 5 to focus on the word "yet."
    - Ask students for examples of things they couldn't do before but can do now because they kept trying (e.g., riding a bike, tying shoes).
    - Connect this to the idea that our brains can grow like muscles.

Step 4

My Growth Garden Activity

15 minutes

  • Introduce the My Growth Garden Activity Sheet.
    - Explain that students will create their own metaphorical garden.
    - On the worksheet, they will draw or write about a challenge they are facing (a

Step 5

My Growth Garden Activity (Cont.)

15 minutes

seed of struggle) and then add elements like effort, practice, and help from others (sun, water, gardener).
- Instruct students to use markers, crayons, or colored pencils to decorate their activity sheet.
- (Optional) If using real garden elements, have students plant a seed while reflecting on their

Step 6

Reflection and Journaling

8 minutes

  • Distribute the My Growth Garden Journal.
    - Ask students to write or draw in their journals about one thing they learned today about growth mindset and how they will use the power of "yet" in their own lives.
    - Facilitate a brief share-out session where a few students can share their reflections.

Step 7

Wrap-up and Reinforcement

2 minutes

  • Conclude by reminding students that their brains are amazing and can always grow.
    - Encourage them to remember their Growth Mindset Garden whenever they face a challenge.
    - End with a positive affirmation about the power of effort and perseverance.
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Slide Deck

What's a Mindset?

How do you think about challenges?

Our mindset is our way of thinking about ourselves and our abilities. It's like a pair of glasses through which we see the world!

Greet students and introduce the concept of a mindset. Ask an open-ended question to get them thinking.

Fixed Mindset: "I Can't!"

What does a Fixed Mindset sound like?

  • "I'm not good at this."
  • "It's too hard."
  • "I give up!"

Believes abilities are set and can't change.

Explain fixed mindset. Provide examples of what it sounds like. Emphasize that this way of thinking limits growth.

Growth Mindset: "I Can Try!"

What does a Growth Mindset sound like?

  • "I'll try my best!"
  • "What can I learn from this?"
  • "Mistakes help me grow!"

Believes abilities can grow with effort and practice.

Explain growth mindset. Provide examples. Highlight that this way of thinking encourages learning and effort.

Fixed vs. Growth: Which Helps You Grow?

Fixed Mindset:

  • Stuck like a rock.
  • When things are hard, you might stop trying.

Growth Mindset:

  • Growing like a plant.
  • When things are hard, you keep trying and learn new ways!

Further clarify the difference using a simple analogy. Ask students to think about which mindset feels better or more helpful.

The Magic Word: "YET!"

What if you add "YET" to "I can't do it"?

  • "I can't ride a bike... yet!"
  • "I don't understand this math problem... yet!"

"Yet" means you are on your way to learning and growing!

Introduce the 'power of yet.' Give personal examples or ask students for simple examples of things they couldn't do yet but can now. Connect to brain as a muscle.

Plant Your Growth Garden!

Let's create our own Growth Mindset Garden!

  • Think of something you find challenging.
  • This is your "Seed of Struggle."
  • How can you help it grow into a "Flower of Success"?

Introduce the activity. Explain that students will plant a 'seed of struggle' and nurture it with growth mindset elements.

Grow Your Ideas!

Reflect and Share:

  • What did you learn about growing your brain?
  • How will you use the word "yet" this week?

Your brain is amazing and can always grow!

Explain the journal component and how it reinforces the lesson. Encourage thoughtful reflection.

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Activity

My Growth Garden Activity Sheet

Welcome to your very own Growth Garden! Just like a garden needs care to grow, your brain needs a growth mindset to learn new things.

Part 1: Plant Your Seed of Struggle

Think about something you find challenging right now. Maybe it's a tricky math problem, learning to read a hard word, or trying a new sport. This challenge is your Seed of Struggle.

Draw or write your Seed of Struggle in the small box below.





Part 2: Help Your Seed Grow!

Now, let's help your Seed of Struggle grow into a beautiful Flower of Success! Think about what helps you learn and get better at things.

Here are some ideas:

  • Effort: Trying your best, even when it's hard.
  • Practice: Doing something over and over to get better.
  • Asking for Help: Talking to a teacher, parent, or friend.
  • Learning from Mistakes: Figuring out what went wrong and trying a different way.
  • The Power of "Yet": Remembering you can't do it yet, but you will!


    Use the garden below to draw or write about how you will help your Seed of Struggle grow. You can draw sunshine (effort!), water (practice!), a friendly gardener (asking for help!), or anything else that shows how you will use your growth mindset.

(Draw or write in the space below)































Part 3: My Flower of Success

What will your challenge look like when you've used your growth mindset? Draw or write about your Flower of Success!







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Journal

My Growth Garden Journal

Today, I learned about having a Growth Mindset. This means I believe my brain can grow and get smarter, just like a plant! I also learned about the magic word: YET!

Prompt 1: What is one new thing you learned about your brain today?












Prompt 2: Think about a challenge you might face this week (like a hard school assignment, a new game, or making a new friend). How can you use the power of "yet" to help you? Write or draw your ideas.













Prompt 3: Draw a picture of your Growth Mindset Garden here! What does your Seed of Struggle look like? What helps it grow?























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