Growth Mindset Anchor Chart

What Is a Growth Mindset?

• Your brain grows stronger when you work hard.
• Mistakes help you learn and grow.
• Challenges are chances to stretch your thinking.

Key Growth Mindset Phrases

• “I can’t do this… yet!”
• “Mistakes help my brain grow.”
• “Effort leads to improvement.”

Strategies for Growing Your Brain

1. Use positive self-talk: “I will keep trying.”
2. Break big problems into smaller steps.
3. Ask questions and get help when you’re stuck.
4. Practice makes your brain connections stronger.

Visuals to Add

• Brain lifting weights:
  
  
  
• Growth arrow (small ➔ big):
  
  
  
• Lightbulb for new ideas:
  
  
  

Brain Growth Diagram Handout

Directions: This handout will help you see how your brain builds new connections when you face challenges. Follow the steps below.

1. Sketch the Brain Pathways

On the space below, draw a simple outline of a brain. Then, inside your drawing:

• Use thin lines to show weaker connections (new or unused pathways).
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Use thicker lines to show stronger connections (pathways you’ve practiced many times).
  
  
  
  
  
  

2. Label the Pathways

A. Label one thin connection and explain why it’s thin (a skill you’re still learning):

B. Label one thick connection and explain why it’s strong (a skill you’ve practiced often):

3. Explain Brain Growth

Answer the question:

How does working on hard tasks make your brain grow new pathways? Use what you know about neuroplasticity to explain.

4. Personal Challenge Reflection

Think of a recent challenge you faced (in school, sports, or at home). In the space below:

• Write the challenge.
  
  
• Draw one new pathway on your brain sketch to show how overcoming that challenge helped your brain grow.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Explain in words how tackling that challenge made you stronger.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Challenge Scenario Cards

These scenario cards present relatable challenges for 4th graders. In pairs, read your card, then discuss and record:

1. Which growth mindset strategy you would use.
2. How you would apply that strategy to overcome the challenge.

Card 1: Tough Math Problem
Scenario: You’re working on a fraction worksheet and get stuck on one problem. You’ve tried twice and still can’t figure it out.

Card 2: Spelling Bee Jitters
Scenario: You have a spelling bee tomorrow. You keep misspelling the same words when you practice.

Card 3: New Sport Struggles
Scenario: In P.E., you’re trying a new sport and keep missing every catch or goal.

Card 4: Reading a Hard Book
Scenario: You picked a book above your reading level and find many words you don’t know.

Card 5: Science Project Setback
Scenario: Your volcano model didn’t erupt during the classroom demonstration.

Card 6: Art Skill Frustration
Scenario: You’re painting a scene in art class but can’t get the perspective right.

Card 7: Class Presentation Nerves
Scenario: You have to present a book report in front of the class and feel really nervous.

Card 8: Friendship Conflict
Scenario: You had an argument with a friend on the playground and now feel upset.

For each card:

• Discuss one growth mindset strategy (e.g., positive self-talk, breaking the problem into smaller steps, asking for help).
• Write down how you would put that strategy into action.

Enjoy exploring how challenges help your brain grow stronger!

Reflection Journal: Growth Mindset

Name: ________________________ Date: _______________

Today, you explored how challenges help your brain grow. Use this journal to reflect on a personal challenge and plan for future success.

1. Describe Your Challenge

What was a recent challenge you faced (in school, sports, or at home)? Be specific.

2. How Did You Feel?

Write about how you felt when you first encountered this challenge. Did you feel frustrated, nervous, excited, or something else?

3. Growth Mindset Strategies

Refer to our Growth Mindset Anchor Chart. List two strategies you used (or could have used) to keep going and explain how they helped (or would help).

1. Strategy one: ____________________________
   How I applied it (or will apply it):

1. Strategy two: ____________________________
   How I applied it (or will apply it):

4. What Did You Learn?

Reflect on what this experience taught you about yourself and your ability to grow. Describe how your brain changed when you kept trying.

5. My Next Steps

Set a goal for the next time you face a similar challenge. What will you do differently? How will you remind yourself of a growth mindset?

Remember: “I can’t do this… yet!” Mistakes are opportunities to grow your brain. Keep using these strategies every day!