Growth Mindset Challenges

This game is designed to help students explore how adopting a growth mindset can transform challenges and setbacks into valuable learning opportunities. The game comprises several engaging challenges or scenarios that encourage critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and self-reflection.

Game Overview

• Objective:

  • Navigate various challenges using a growth mindset to turn failures into opportunities for improvement and learning.
  • Encourage critical thinking about personal setbacks and how they can serve as stepping stones for growth.

• Structure:

  • Students will be divided into small groups to work collaboratively on different scenarios.
  • Each scenario acts as a prompt inviting discussion, brainstorming, and decision-making on how to apply a growth mindset.
  • As groups work through the scenarios, they are encouraged to share ideas and strategies that exemplify resilience, creativity, and persistence.

• Materials Needed:

  • Game cards or digital slides displaying the scenarios (prepared prior to the session).
  • Reflection Journal for each group to document insights and growth opportunities.
  • Growth Mindset Game Plan for reference during the session.

Game Setup and Rules

1. Preparation:

   • Prior to the activity, review the scenarios and select challenges that are aligned with the students' experiences and current learning topics.
   • Organize the scenarios either on physical cards or digital slides to display one at a time.

2. How to Play:

   • Group Formation: Divide the class into small groups (3-5 students per group).
   • Scenario Presentation: Present each group with a scenario card that details a specific challenge or failure. For example, a scenario might describe a time when a project didn't go as planned or when a solution didn't work the first time.
   • Discussion Time: Allow each group 5 minutes per challenge to discuss the scenario and brainstorm ways to use a growth mindset to turn the setback into a learning opportunity. Encourage discussion of questions like:
     • What did we learn from this experience?
     • How might this failure lead to a better approach in the future?
     • What resources or strategies can we use to overcome this challenge next time?
   • Response Sharing: After each group has discussed, invite each team to share their strategies and insights with the class, promoting cross-group learning.

3. Winning the Game:

   • Instead of a strict competitive win, success is measured by the quality and creativity of the solutions and insights generated.
   • Award teams with verbal praise or small tokens for particularly innovative or courageous approaches.

4. Reflection:

   • Wrap up each game session with a brief reflection period where students can document their key takeaways in their Reflection Journal.
   • Highlight recurring themes such as persistence, creativity in problem-solving, and the importance of learning from mistakes.

Example Scenarios

1. The Failed Experiment:

   • Scenario: "In a science project, your experiment didn't yield the expected result."
   • Discussion Prompts:
     • What might have been the factors affecting the outcome?
     • How can this result guide you toward better methods?
     • What learning opportunities does this failure present?
       
       
       
       
       
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2. The Overlooked Idea:

   • Scenario: "You shared an idea during a group discussion, but it wasn't accepted or recognized by your peers."
   • Discussion Prompts:
     • Can you identify any value or potential in your idea that could be refined?
     • What feedback could you collect to improve this idea?
     • How might you approach asking for feedback next time?
       
       
       
       
       
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3. Timing Troubles:

   • Scenario: "You missed a submission deadline due to poor time management."
   • Discussion Prompts:
     • What factors contributed to the missed deadline?
     • How can you use this experience to better manage time in the future?
     • What strategies could you adopt to improve your schedule or planning?
       
       
       
       
       
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Follow-Up Points

• Engage students in a conversation about real-life examples where a growth mindset contributed to success after initial failures.
• Highlight that the goal is to focus on process and improvement, rather than just achieving perfect results the first time.
• Encourage self-reflection and peer feedback to build a supportive classroom environment that values learning from setbacks.

This game not only enhances students' understanding of growth mindset principles but also develops critical skills in communication, collaboration, and reflective thinking.

Reflection Journal

The Reflection Journal is a space for you to capture thoughts, insights, and personal growth reflections following the Growth Mindset Challenges. Use this journal to document how your perspective on challenges and failures has shifted during the game.

Reflection Prompts

1. Describe a Challenge:
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

   • Briefly describe one of the scenarios or challenges your group faced. What was the challenge and how did it make you feel initially?

2. Identify a Learning Opportunity:
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

   • Reflect on the discussion within your group. How did you, or others, find a hidden opportunity in the challenge? What lesson did you learn?

3. Mindset Shift:
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

   • How did the activity change your view on failure? Describe a moment when you realized that a setback could be a step forward in learning.

4. Future Strategies:
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

   • Consider: What strategies can you apply in the future when facing difficulties in class or your projects? How might you use this experience to guide you in new challenges?

Take your time to write your thoughts, and remember, every reflection is a step towards a stronger growth mindset.