Lesson Plan
Kickstart Roadmap
Students will explore growth mindset by reframing challenges as opportunities, complete a Challenge Ladder activity, set a personal growth goal using the Growth Goal Rubric, and reflect in the I’m a Learner Journal to build self-management skills.
Building a growth mindset helps students persist through difficulties, improves self-management, and fosters resilience, leading to better academic and personal outcomes.
Audience
4th Grade Group
Time
2 sessions of 30 minutes each
Approach
Interactive discussions, hands-on activities, journaling, and goal-setting
Prep
Materials Preparation
10 minutes
- Review Mindset Slides to familiarize with key growth mindset concepts
- Print or prepare digital copies of the Challenge Ladder Activity
- Ensure each student has an I’m a Learner Journal
- Review the Growth Goal Rubric to guide goal-setting
Step 1
Session 1: Introduction & Discussion
10 minutes
- Welcome students and introduce the concept of growth vs. fixed mindset
- Display key points on Mindset Slides
- Ask students to share a recent challenge and discuss fixed vs. growth responses
Step 2
Session 1: Challenge Ladder Activity
15 minutes
- Distribute the Challenge Ladder Activity
- Students identify a personal challenge and map steps to overcome it
- Pair students to share their ladders and strategies
Step 3
Session 1: Reflection Journal
5 minutes
- Invite students to write in their I’m a Learner Journal what they learned about facing challenges
- Prompt: “How can you turn a difficult situation into a learning opportunity?”
Step 4
Session 2: Growth Goal Mini-Lesson
10 minutes
- Recap growth mindset highlights from Session 1
- Introduce goal-setting using the Growth Goal Rubric
- Model setting a SMART, growth-focused goal with the rubric
Step 5
Session 2: Personal Growth Goal Planning
15 minutes
- Students use the Growth Goal Rubric to draft their own personal growth goal
- Pair-share goals and offer feedback using rubric criteria
Step 6
Session 2: Final Reflection
5 minutes
- Students journal in their I’m a Learner Journal about their chosen goal and next steps
- Prompt: “What support or strategies will help you reach this goal?”
Slide Deck
Growth Mindset Kickstart
Building a path to resilience and success
Welcome the students to the Growth Mindset Kickstart lesson. Introduce yourself and explain that over the next sessions they will learn about how to turn challenges into learning opportunities.
What Is Mindset?
• Mindset = Your beliefs about your abilities and potential
• Two main types: Fixed Mindset vs. Growth Mindset
Define “mindset” as the way we think about our abilities and intelligence. Emphasize that our beliefs can shape our effort and outcomes.
Fixed vs. Growth Mindset
Fixed Mindset:
– “I’m not good at this.”
– Avoid challenges
– Give up easily
Growth Mindset:
– “I can improve with effort.”
– Embrace challenges
– Persist through setbacks
Guide students through the comparison. Ask for examples of each mindset from their own lives.
The Power of “Yet”
• “I can’t do this” → “I can’t do this yet”
• “I’m not good at math” → “I’m not good at math yet”
Adding “yet” shows you’re learning and growing!
Introduce the simple but powerful idea of adding “yet” to statements. Encourage students to practice reframing.
Why Growth Mindset Matters
• Builds resilience and grit
• Encourages persistence when tasks are tough
• Leads to better academic and personal outcomes
Explain benefits of growth mindset: resilience, perseverance, higher achievement. Relate to real-world examples (athletes, artists).
Challenge Ladder Example
Goal: Learn to ride a bike
- Watch someone ride
- Practice balancing
- Use training wheels
- Ride with a friend
- Remove training wheels
- Ride independently
Walk through this example step by step. Describe how each rung represents a small win toward the big goal.
Your Turn: Challenge Ladder Activity
• Identify a challenge you want to tackle
• Map out 4‐6 steps (rungs) to reach your goal
• Be specific about each step
See the Challenge Ladder Activity
Explain that students will create their own Challenge Ladder in the activity. Provide the handout and model one example if time allows.
Intro to Goal‐Setting
Use the Growth Goal Rubric to set a SMART goal:
• Specific
• Measurable
• Achievable
• Relevant
• Time-bound
Introduce the Growth Goal Rubric and SMART goal framework. Model setting one goal using the rubric.
Next Steps & Reflection
• Journal in the I’m a Learner Journal
• Write: “What support or strategies will help me reach my goal?”
• Keep revisiting your ladder and goal
Explain that reflection helps track progress. Encourage honest thinking about supports and next steps.
Activity
Challenge Ladder Activity
Objective: Students will visually map a personal challenge into clear, manageable steps and reflect on strategies to overcome obstacles.
Instructions:
- On the handout below, draw a ladder with 4–6 rungs.
- At the bottom of the ladder, write a challenge you want to tackle.
- On each rung, write one specific action step that will help you move closer to overcoming your challenge.
- At the top of the ladder, write what success or completion of your goal looks like.
Draw your ladder and complete the sections below:
Challenge:
Rung 1: ___________
Rung 2: ___________
Rung 3: ___________
Rung 4: ___________
Rung 5 (optional): ___________
Rung 6 (optional): ___________
Success (Top): ___________
Reflection Questions:
- Which step (rung) might be the most challenging for you, and why?
- What strategies or supports will you use to handle that challenge?
- Who can you ask for help or advice as you work through your steps?
When finished, share your ladder and reflections with a partner, discuss possible adjustments, and then post or keep your ladder in a place you can revisit regularly.
Journal
I’m a Learner Journal
Use this journal to reflect on what you learn, set goals, and track your growth over our lessons.
Session 1 Reflection: Facing Challenges
1. What is one new idea you learned about challenges and growth mindset today?
2. How can you use the Power of “Yet” when you face something difficult?
3. Think of a recent challenge you experienced. Describe the steps you might put on your Challenge Ladder Activity to overcome it.
Session 2 Reflection: Setting a Growth Goal
1. My SMART growth goal (use the Growth Goal Rubric to guide you):
2. Why is this goal important to me?
3. Which steps from your Challenge Ladder will help you reach this goal?
4. What supports or strategies will you use to stay on track?
5. How will you measure your progress and know you are succeeding?
Keep this journal in a safe place. Revisit your entries often, celebrate your wins, and adjust your plan as you grow!
Rubric
Growth Goal Rubric
Use this rubric to plan and evaluate your personal growth goal. Aim for level 4 in each criterion to ensure your goal is clear, meaningful, and supported by a growth‐mindset plan.
| Criterion | 4 – Exemplary | 3 – Proficient | 2 – Developing | 1 – Beginning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Specific | Goal clearly states what, why, and how (Who, What, Where, Why) with no ambiguity. | Goal states what will be done and why, with minor details missing. | Goal is somewhat general; still unclear on key details. | Goal is vague or confusing; lacks clear focus. |
| Measurable | Includes precise metrics or indicators (e.g., number, percentage, frequency, duration). | Includes metrics, though some measures may be imprecise or broad. | Attempts a measure but lacks clarity on how progress will be tracked. | No clear way to measure progress or success. |
| Achievable & Time-Bound | Realistic steps and deadline; demonstrates planning for a timeline that fits within your context. | Steps are generally realistic and a target date is given, though timeline may need minor tweaks. | Some steps seem unrealistic or no clear deadline is included. | Steps are unrealistic or no time frame is provided. |
| Growth-Mindset Strategies | Identifies specific strategies to overcome obstacles (e.g., “yet” reframing, help‐seeking, journaling). | Identifies strategies but they may be general (e.g., “work hard,” “ask for help”). | Mentions obstacles but provides only one basic strategy. | No plan for handling setbacks or cultivating a growth mindset. |