Mindset Magic

Brianna Johnson

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Mindset Magic Plan

Students will distinguish between fixed and growth mindsets and practice positive self-talk to reframe a personal challenge.

Building a growth mindset and self-talk skills boosts resilience, confidence, and motivation, empowering students to tackle hurdles in academics and life.

Audience

7th Grade Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion and hands-on practice.

Materials

Growth Mindset Presentation, - Positive Self-Talk Cards, - Challenge Scenarios Handout, - Whiteboard and Markers, and - Sticky Notes

Prep

Gather Materials

10 minutes

Print and prepare copies of Positive Self-Talk Cards and Challenge Scenarios Handout.
Queue up the Growth Mindset Presentation on classroom display.
Arrange whiteboard, markers, and sticky notes at the front table.

Step 1

Introduction to Growth Mindset

5 minutes

Display the first slide of Growth Mindset Presentation defining fixed vs. growth mindsets.
Ask students for examples of fixed-mindset statements they’ve heard.
Highlight how shifting to growth language empowers effort and learning.

Step 2

I Can’t Yet Brainstorm

7 minutes

Distribute Challenge Scenarios Handout.
In small groups, students identify a personal academic or social challenge.
Each group rewrites “I can’t” statements as “I can’t yet” and brainstorms growth-oriented actions.

Step 3

Positive Self-Talk Practice

8 minutes

Introduce Positive Self-Talk Cards with supportive phrases.
Students draw a card and role-play using it in their scenario.
Encourage peers to give feedback on tone and word choice.

Step 4

Reflection and Sharing

7 minutes

Invite volunteers to share how their self-talk reframed their challenge.
Students write one new self-talk phrase on a sticky note and post it on the board.
Facilitate brief peer applause and positive reinforcement.

Step 5

Conclusion and Takeaways

3 minutes

Summarize key differences between fixed and growth mindsets.
Emphasize using “yet” and positive self-talk daily.
Assign: Tonight, write a reflection on a moment you caught negative self-talk and how you reframed it.

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Slide Deck

Mindset Magic: Growth vs. Fixed

7th Grade SEL Lesson

30 Minutes – Tier 1 Classroom

Welcome students and introduce today’s topic: growth mindset. Explain that our thoughts about our abilities can influence our learning and achievements. Invite a quick thumbs-up if students have heard the term “mindset” before and ask what they think it means.

What Is a Mindset?

Fixed Mindset:

Belief that talent and intelligence are innate and unchangeable
Avoid challenges to protect “looking smart”

Growth Mindset:

Belief that effort and learning grow your skills
Embrace challenges to learn and improve

Define both mindsets clearly. Ask students to paraphrase each definition. Emphasize that a fixed mindset sees ability as static, while a growth mindset sees skills as developable through effort.

Why Mindset Matters

• Effort leads to progress and mastery
• Mistakes are opportunities to learn
• Perseverance builds resilience
• Unlocks confidence across school and life

Explain how students’ brain cells form new connections when they work hard, just like exercising a muscle. Invite students to share times they improved at something through practice.

Spot the Difference

Fixed Statement	Growth Statement
“I’m not good at this.”	“I’m not good at this yet.”
“I give up.”	“I’ll try another strategy.”
“This is too hard.”	“This will take time and effort.”

Read each pair aloud and ask students which sounds more motivating. Highlight how changing a single word can shift thinking.

The Power of Yet

Adding “yet” reminds us:
• Skills take time to develop
• Learning is a process
• Failure is part of growth

Demonstrate by writing “I can’t do this…yet” on the board. Ask: what does adding “yet” do to how you feel? Encourage students to try adding “yet” to their own statements.

Brain Science

Your brain is like a muscle:
• Forms new connections when you learn
• Grows stronger with challenge and practice
• Adapts every time you stretch yourself

Share a quick brain thumbnail sketch or image on the board. Explain neuroplasticity in simple terms. Relate back to effort and practice.

Reflect & Rewrite

Think of a challenge you face.
Write your first thought about it.
Rewrite it by adding growth-mindset language (e.g., add “yet,” suggest an action).
Share with your group.

Transition to the hands-on activity. Instruct students to think of a personal academic or social challenge and jot down their initial thought.

Key Takeaways

• Mindsets shape how you approach challenges
• “Yet” and positive self-talk fuel growth
• Embrace mistakes as learning steps
• Practice daily to strengthen your brain

Summarize the key points, reinforce the importance of positive self-talk, and set up the next part of the lesson where students practice with scenario cards.

Activity

Positive Self-Talk Cards

Print and cut these supportive phrases into individual cards. Students draw one card to practice positive self-talk in their challenge scenario.

“I can learn this with practice.”
“Mistakes help me grow.”
“Every step forward counts.”
“I am capable of finding a solution.”
“Challenges make me stronger.”
“I will keep trying until I succeed.”
“I believe in my ability to improve.”
“Setbacks are part of my progress.”
“I can ask for help when I need it.”
“Effort leads to mastery.”
“My brain grows with every challenge.”
“I am proud of my persistence.”
“I focus on what I can control.”
“Today’s effort shapes tomorrow’s success.”
“I embrace mistakes as learning steps.”
“I have overcome hard things before.”

Worksheet

Challenge Scenarios Handout

Use this handout to practice rewriting fixed-mindset statements as growth-mindset statements. Refer to Positive Self-Talk Cards for supportive language you can use.