Teacher Script: Math Mindset Makeover

Warm-Up & Introduction (5 minutes)

(Display Math Mindset Makeover Slide Deck - Slide 1: Math Mindset Makeover: You CAN Do Math!)

"Good morning/afternoon, everyone! Take a look at our lesson title today: 'Math Mindset Makeover: You CAN Do Math!' I wonder what thoughts immediately pop into your head when you see that. Before we dive in, let's just do a quick, silent check-in."

(Display Math Mindset Makeover Slide Deck - Slide 2: How Do You Feel About Math?)

"Think about the word 'math'. What words come to your mind? Is it exciting, challenging, confusing, frustrating, or maybe even empowering? Just think about it for a moment. Why do you feel that way? You don't have to share out loud just yet, but hold those feelings in your mind.

Today, we're going to talk about something really powerful that can change how we approach not just math, but any challenge: our mindset. Many of us have beliefs about what we can or can't do, especially in subjects like math. We're going to explore those beliefs and see how we can transform them."

Exploring Mindsets (10 minutes)

(Display Math Mindset Makeover Slide Deck - Slide 3: The Fixed Mindset: "I Can't Do It!")

"Let's start by looking at what we call a 'fixed mindset'. This is the belief that our basic abilities – like how good we are at math – are simply unchangeable traits. If you believe you're 'just not a math person,' you might have a fixed mindset when it comes to math. When someone with a fixed mindset faces a challenge, they might see it as a threat, something that proves they're not smart enough. Mistakes are viewed as failures, which often leads to avoiding difficult tasks or giving up easily."

(Display Math Mindset Makeover Slide Deck - Slide 4: The Growth Mindset: "I Can Learn It!")

"Now, let's contrast that with a 'growth mindset'. This is the belief that your abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work. Think of your brain like a muscle – the more you work it, the stronger it gets. From this perspective, when you face a challenge in math, you see it as an opportunity to grow and improve. Mistakes aren't failures; they're valuable clues that show you where to try a new strategy. This mindset helps you persist and seek out new ways to learn."

(Display Math Mindset Makeover Slide Deck - Slide 5: See It in Action: Mindsets Explained!)

"To help us visualize these ideas, let's watch a short video that demonstrates how fixed and growth mindsets can look in everyday situations."

**(Play the video. After the video, ask:)

"What did you notice in the video? Can you identify any moments where someone showed a fixed mindset? How about a growth mindset? What was the difference in their approach or outcome?"

(Facilitate a brief discussion about the video examples.)

(Display Math Mindset Makeover Slide Deck - Slide 6: Fixed vs. Growth in Math)

"Let's look at some examples you might recognize. Which of these statements resonate with how you or someone you know might think about math?"

(Read through the examples on the slide. Pause after each set (fixed then growth) and ask:)

"Has anyone ever heard themselves or a friend say something like the fixed mindset examples? How about the growth mindset examples? What's the main difference you notice between these two ways of thinking?"

(Facilitate a brief discussion, encouraging students to identify the core difference – whether ability is seen as static or malleable.)

(Display Math Mindset Makeover Slide Deck - Slide 7: The Power of "YET")

"One of the simplest, yet most powerful, ways to shift into a growth mindset is by adding a single word: 'yet'. What's the difference between saying, 'I don't understand fractions,' and 'I don't understand fractions... YET!'?"

"That little word 'yet' changes everything! It transforms a statement of limitation into one of potential and future learning. It acknowledges that you're not there now, but you're on a journey to get there."

(Display Math Mindset Makeover Slide Deck - Slide 8: Growth is a Journey, Not a Destination)

"It’s important to remember that everyone, even the most successful people you can imagine, faced struggles and made mistakes. Struggling doesn't mean you're not smart; it means you're learning, your brain is working hard, and you're growing. Every mistake is just another piece of information, another chance to try a new strategy. It's about the effort you put in and the strategies you choose, not some fixed 'math gene'."

Growth Mindset in Action (10 minutes)

(Display Math Mindset Makeover Slide Deck - Slide 9: Your Math Mindset Journey)

"Now, it's your turn to put these ideas into action. I'm going to hand out a worksheet called the Growth Mindset in Math Worksheet. This worksheet is designed to help you reflect on your own experiences with math and identify specific ways you can cultivate a growth mindset. There are no right or wrong answers here; it's about honest self-reflection.

(Distribute Growth Mindset in Math Worksheet).

"Take about 7-8 minutes to work through the worksheet. Think about your past experiences, your feelings, and how you can apply what we've learned today to reframe some of those challenges with a growth mindset perspective. I'll be walking around if you have any questions."

(Circulate the room, offering guidance and encouragement as students work on their worksheets.)

Wrap-Up & Call to Action (5 minutes)

"Alright, let's bring it back together. Who would be willing to share one insight or one new strategy they thought of while working on the worksheet? Or perhaps a time when adding 'yet' might have changed how they felt about a math problem?"

(Facilitate a brief sharing session if time permits and students are comfortable.)

(Display Math Mindset Makeover Slide Deck - Slide 10: Your Math Potential Awaits!)

"To wrap up, let's remember these key points:

• Your brain is like a muscle: the more you challenge it, the stronger it gets.
• Mistakes are how we learn; they are stepping stones, not roadblocks.
• Effort and strategy are your superpowers – they are what truly lead to success.
• And most importantly: You can improve your math skills! It's not about being 'good' or 'bad' at math, but about your willingness to learn and grow."

"My challenge to you is this: In your next math class, or when you're working on homework, consciously try to apply a growth mindset. When you feel stuck, remember the power of 'yet', or try a new strategy instead of giving up. Observe how this shift in thinking changes your experience. You have so much potential to unlock! Thank you, everyone."

Growth Mindset in Math Worksheet

Name: ____________________________

Date: ____________________________

Part 1: Reflecting on Your Math Experience

1. Describe your general feelings about math. Use 3-5 words.
   
   
   
   
   

2. Think of a time you struggled with a math problem or concept. What was your initial reaction? (e.g., "I felt frustrated," "I wanted to give up," "I thought I wasn't smart enough")
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. Have you ever heard yourself or others say things like, "I'm just not a math person" or "I'll never get this"? How did those statements make you feel or impact your effort?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Part 2: Shifting to a Growth Mindset

1. The Power of "Yet": Rewrite two of your statements from Question 3 above, or any negative math thought you've had, by adding the word "YET" to the end. How does adding "yet" change the feeling or meaning?
   

   • Original Thought 1: _____________________________
     
   • With "Yet": _____________________________
     
   • Original Thought 2: _____________________________
     
   • With "Yet": _____________________________
     
     
     
     
     
     

2. Think about the math problem you struggled with in Question 2. If you approached it with a growth mindset, what new strategies might you have tried? (e.g., asking for help, breaking it down, trying a different method, looking for examples)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. Your brain is like a muscle! What does this mean for learning math? How can you "exercise" your math brain?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Part 3: My Growth Mindset Action Plan for Math

1. Identify one specific challenge you currently face in math (e.g., a specific topic, type of problem, or feeling of frustration).
   
   
   
   
   

2. What is one growth mindset strategy you will commit to trying the next time you face this challenge?
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. Why do you think this strategy will help you?
   
   
   
   
   
   

I believe my math abilities can grow through effort and new strategies! Yes / No