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Growth Mindset Gardeners

Lesson Plan

Growth Mindset Gardeners Lesson Plan

Students will understand the concept of a growth mindset, differentiate it from a fixed mindset, and identify strategies for cultivating a growth mindset by reframing challenges as opportunities for learning and resilience, using the analogy of gardening and plant growth.

Developing a growth mindset helps students approach challenges with optimism, persevere through difficulties, and see failures as chances to learn. This foundational skill boosts academic performance, emotional well-being, and lifelong learning.

Audience

K-8 Students

Time

45-60 minutes

Approach

Through interactive discussions, a slide presentation, and hands-on activities, students will explore the differences between fixed and growth mindsets.

Materials

Whiteboard or Projector, Growth Mindset Gardeners Slide Deck, Chart paper or large whiteboard, Markers, My Growth Garden Activity Sheet, and Pencils/Crayons

Prep

Prepare Materials

15 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up: Brain Brain Go!

5 minutes

  • Begin by asking students: "How do your brains grow?" Allow for a few responses. (For younger students, ask: "What makes your brain strong?")
  • Explain that just like muscles, our brains get stronger when we use them and learn new things.

Step 2

Introduction to Mindsets (Slide Deck)

15 minutes

  • Use the Growth Mindset Gardeners Slide Deck to introduce the concepts of fixed and growth mindsets.
  • Slides 1-3: Introduce the 'Growth Mindset Gardeners' theme and discuss what a mindset is.
  • Slides 4-6: Explain Fixed Mindset using a 'rock' analogy – hard, unchangeable. Ask students for examples of fixed mindset thinking.
  • Slides 7-9: Explain Growth Mindset using a 'seed/plant' analogy – grows with care, effort, and learning. Ask for examples of growth mindset thinking.
  • Emphasize that everyone has a mix of both and that we can always choose to grow.

Step 3

Activity: My Growth Garden

15 minutes

  • Distribute the My Growth Garden Activity Sheet.
  • Explain the activity: Students will draw or write about a challenge they faced (the 'rock') and then transform it into a 'seed' where they show how effort and learning helped them overcome it or improve.
  • Circulate and provide support, prompting students with questions like: "What did you learn from this challenge?" or "What effort did you put in?"

Step 4

Group Discussion: Growing Our Mindsets

10-15 minutes

  • Facilitate a class discussion using the Growth Mindset Discussion Questions.
  • Encourage students to share their 'growth garden' examples (optional).
  • Focus on real-life application: "How can we use growth mindset thinking in our schoolwork?" "How about when learning a new sport or art skill?"

Step 5

Wrap-Up: Seed of Thought

5 minutes

  • Ask students to share one new thing they learned about their brain or mindset today.
  • End with a positive affirmation: "Remember, every time you try hard and learn something new, you're watering your growth mindset garden!"
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Slide Deck

Welcome, Growth Mindset Gardeners!

How do your brains grow?

Welcome students to the lesson. Introduce the idea of a 'mindset' as how we think about our abilities and challenges.

Your Brain is Like a Garden

Just like a garden grows with care, your brain grows too!

Explain that today we're going to explore how our minds work and how we can make them stronger, just like a gardener tends to their plants.

Two Kinds of Mindsets

Fixed Mindset vs. Growth Mindset

Introduce the idea that there are different ways our brains can think about learning and challenges. We'll explore two main types today.

The Fixed Mindset: The Rocky Path

• Believing your abilities are set in stone.
• "I'm just not good at math."
• "Why bother trying if it's too hard?"

Explain the fixed mindset. Use the analogy of a rock: it's hard, it doesn't change, and it's stuck. Some people believe their intelligence and talents are like this rock – unchangeable.

Sounds Like, Feels Like

• "I can't do it."
• Giving up easily.
• Feeling frustrated when things are tough.
• Avoiding new challenges.

Discuss what a fixed mindset sounds and feels like. Ask students for examples they might have heard or felt themselves.

The Fixed Mindset: A Block to Growth

• It's like a fence around your garden.
• Keeps you from planting new seeds of knowledge.

Reinforce the idea that a fixed mindset can limit our potential. It stops us from trying to grow.

The Growth Mindset: Planting Seeds

• Believing your abilities can grow with effort.
• "I can learn how to do this if I keep trying."
• "Mistakes help my brain grow!"

Introduce the growth mindset. Use the analogy of a seed or a plant: it starts small but grows with effort, water (learning), and sunlight (persistence). Explain that a growth mindset means believing your abilities can develop through hard work and dedication.

Sounds Like, Feels Like

• "I'll try a different strategy."
• Asking for help.
• Practicing and not giving up.
• Embracing challenges.

Discuss what a growth mindset sounds and feels like. Ask students for examples of growth mindset thinking.

You Can Grow Your Mindset!

• Your brain is amazing and can always learn more.
• Every time you try, you grow stronger!
• Be a Growth Mindset Gardener!

Conclude by emphasizing that everyone can cultivate a growth mindset. It's about changing our perspective and putting in the effort.

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Activity

My Growth Garden Activity

Name: ____________________________

Part 1: My Rocky Challenge

Think about a time you faced a challenge or thought, "I can't do this!" Maybe it was a tricky math problem, learning a new sport, or trying to draw something difficult.

In the box below, draw or write about this challenge (your "rock"). How did it make you feel?





Part 2: Planting My Growth Seed

Now, think about what you did, or what you could do, to overcome that challenge. What effort did you put in? What did you learn? How did your brain grow?

In the box below, draw or write about how you turned your "rocky challenge" into a "growth seed" by trying, learning, and growing!










Part 3: My Blooming Brain

What is one thing you will remember about having a growth mindset? How will you use it next time you face a challenge?





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Discussion

Growth Mindset Discussion Questions

Opening Thoughts

  1. What did you learn today about how your brain works and grows?


  2. Can anyone share a time when they felt like they had a "rocky challenge" (fixed mindset) but then found a way to "plant a growth seed" (growth mindset)?

Exploring Mindsets

  1. Imagine two students, Alex and Ben. Alex says, "I'm terrible at drawing, so I'm not even going to try the art project." Ben says, "I'm not great at drawing yet, but I'm excited to practice and see what I can learn." Which student has a fixed mindset? Which has a growth mindset? Why?





  2. What are some phrases or thoughts that show a fixed mindset? (e.g., "I can't," "It's too hard," "I'm not smart enough")


  3. What are some phrases or thoughts that show a growth mindset? (e.g., "I'll try my best," "I can learn this," "Mistakes help me grow")


Applying Our Growth Mindset

  1. How can having a growth mindset help you in school when you are learning something new or difficult?





  2. Besides school, where else can you use a growth mindset? (e.g., playing sports, learning an instrument, making new friends)


  3. What is one specific thing you can do this week to practice being a "Growth Mindset Gardener"? Think about a small step you can take.


Closing Reflection

  1. Why is it important to remember that our brains can grow, just like plants in a garden?


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