Growth Mindset Warm-Up Sheet

Instructions: Reflect on a recent challenge you faced. Use the space below to write or sketch your responses to each prompt.

1. Describe the challenge:

1. How did you initially respond to this challenge?

1. What feelings did you experience during this challenge?

1. What did you learn from this experience, or what might you do differently next time?

1. Sketch the moment of challenge or your mindset shift here:

Be ready to share one insight with the class.

Fixed vs Growth Mindset Handout

Instructions: Read each statement below. In pairs, decide whether it reflects a fixed mindset (believing abilities are static) or a growth mindset (believing abilities can improve with effort). Then write the statement number in the appropriate column of the table.

Statements:

1. I’m just not good at this, and I never will be.
2. With practice, I can get better at any skill.
3. If I make a mistake, it means I’m a failure.
4. I learn more when someone points out where I can improve.
5. I avoid challenges to prevent looking bad.
6. Struggling through tough work helps me grow.
7. I must be talented to succeed without effort.
8. Effort is the key to mastering new tasks.
9. I don’t like feedback because it hurts my feelings.
10. Challenges are opportunities to learn.

Be ready to explain why you placed each statement under Fixed or Growth.

Growth Mindset Reflection Sheet

Instructions: Reflect on today’s lesson and plan how you’ll apply a growth mindset in the coming week. Respond to each prompt below.

1. A specific challenge I will tackle with a growth mindset:

1. Action steps I will take to work through this challenge:

1. Potential obstacles I might face and how I will overcome them:

1. Ways I will remind myself to stay persistent (e.g., positive self-talk, check-ins, sticky notes):

1. My commitment statement:

"I will ______________________ by _______________________________."

Be ready to share one action you’ll start this week.

Growth Mindset Discussion

Time: 5 minutes
Objective: Help students articulate beliefs about ability and effort, connect personal experiences to growth mindset principles.
Materials: Growth Mindset Warm-Up Sheet

Discussion Guidelines

• Listen respectfully and let others finish speaking.
• Use “I” statements: share your own thoughts, not generalizations.
• Build on each other’s ideas: agree, add examples, or offer a different perspective.
• There are no wrong answers—be honest about what you think and feel.

Core Questions and Prompts

1. Reflecting Back
   • What challenge did you describe or sketch on your Warm-Up Sheet?
   • How did your response at the moment show a fixed mindset or a growth mindset?Follow-Up: “Can someone share a different example from their sheet?”
2. Beliefs That Help Us Persist
   • When work gets hard, what kind of self-talk helps you keep going?
   • How is that different from thoughts that make you want to give up?Follow-Up: “What phrase or reminder could you put on a sticky note to encourage yourself?”
3. Feedback and Improvement
   • Think of a time someone gave you feedback you didn’t like. What did you feel and do?
   • How might a growth mindset response look in that situation?Follow-Up: “Can anyone share a time they turned criticism into a learning moment?”
4. Opportunities in Struggle
   • What’s one example of a struggle you’ve seen help someone improve (in school, sports, art, etc.)?
   • Why do you think pushing through that struggle led to growth?Follow-Up: “How can we remind ourselves that struggle equals progress?”

Wrap-Up Prompt

“Based on our discussion, what’s one belief or phrase you’ll choose this week to strengthen your growth mindset?”

Invite 2–3 volunteers to share their chosen belief or phrase aloud.