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Mindset Makeover

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Lesson Plan

Mindset Makeover Lesson Plan

Students will distinguish between fixed and growth mindsets, reflect on personal thinking patterns, and develop two strategies to foster a resilient, growth-oriented mindset.

Teaching mindset awareness empowers students to embrace challenges, persist through setbacks, and take ownership of their learning—key skills for academic and personal success.

Audience

9th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, examples, reflection, and goal‐setting.

Materials

Prep

Teacher Preparation

10 minutes

  • Review the Growth Mindset Slideshow and familiarize yourself with key definitions and examples.
  • Print enough copies of the Mindset Reflection Worksheet for each student.
  • Gather sticky notes and pens/pencils, and set up the projector or interactive whiteboard.
  • Prepare one example of a fixed vs. growth mindset scenario to share with students.

Step 1

Introduction and Engagement

5 minutes

  • Display the title slide of the Growth Mindset Slideshow.
  • Ask: “What does the word ‘mindset’ mean to you?” Invite 2–3 responses.
  • Define fixed mindset and growth mindset with simple, relatable examples.

Step 2

Explore Mindset Examples

8 minutes

  • Use slides 2–4 to contrast fixed vs. growth mindset statements.
  • Show real-life scenarios (academic, athletic, artistic) and ask students to vote (thumbs up/down) if it shows a growth mindset.
  • In pairs, have students recall a moment they saw each mindset in themselves. Each pair writes one example per mindset on a sticky note.

Step 3

Reflection Worksheet Activity

10 minutes

  • Distribute the Mindset Reflection Worksheet.
  • Students complete sections: identify one personal fixed-mindset thought, reframe it into a growth mindset, and list two strategies to practice.
  • Circulate and provide feedback; encourage specificity (e.g., “I will ask for help when stuck”).

Step 4

Share, Goal-Setting, and Closure

7 minutes

  • Invite 3–4 students to share their reframed statement or strategy from the worksheet.
  • Post their sticky-note examples on the board under “Growth Mindset Examples.”
  • Have each student write one personal goal on a sticky note: “My Growth Goal Is…” and stick it on a class goal board.
  • Summarize: Emphasize mindset is a skill to practice daily; encourage reflection after challenges.
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Slide Deck

Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset

Welcome! In this lesson, we’ll:

  • Define fixed and growth mindsets
  • See real-life examples
  • Reflect on our own thinking
  • Learn strategies to build a growth mindset

Welcome students and set the stage. Emphasize that today we’ll explore two ways of thinking about challenges and learning.

What Is Mindset?

• Mindset = Your beliefs about your abilities and intelligence.
• Shapes how you respond to challenges and setbacks.

Ask students to share their ideas of what “mindset” means. If needed, prompt with examples like “What you believe about your ability to learn.”

Fixed Mindset

People with a fixed mindset believe:
• Abilities are innate—“I either have it or I don’t.”
• Failure means you’re not smart or talented.
• Challenges should be avoided.

Read each bullet and illustrate with a simple story (e.g., a student who avoids hard math problems).

Growth Mindset

People with a growth mindset believe:
• Abilities can be developed with effort.
• Failure is an opportunity to learn.
• Challenges help you grow.

Contrast each bullet with an example (e.g., a student who practices and improves at piano).

Scenario Voting: Fixed or Growth?

  1. “I give up—this is too hard.”
  2. “I’ll practice and get better.”
  3. “I’m just not good at art.”
  4. “I can improve with feedback.”

Read each scenario aloud. After each, have students show thumbs up for growth mindset or thumbs down for fixed mindset. Encourage brief explanations.

Reflect with the Worksheet

Use the Mindset Reflection Worksheet:

  1. Identify a fixed-mindset thought you’ve had.
  2. Reframe it into a growth-mindset statement.
  3. List two strategies to practice this new mindset.

Introduce the worksheet. Explain each section. Distribute copies and give students time to complete.

Strategies to Build a Growth Mindset

• Set stretch goals and celebrate small wins.
• Ask for help or feedback when stuck.
• Use “yet” language (e.g., “I can’t do it yet”).
• Reflect on progress regularly.

Guide students through each strategy bullet. Invite examples from the class.

Next Steps & Takeaways

• Practice your strategies daily.
• Post your goal on the Growth Goal board.
• Reflect after challenges: What did I learn?
• Keep believing: Abilities grow with effort!

Encourage students to share one insight or action they’ll take. Remind them this is an ongoing skill.

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Worksheet

Mindset Reflection Worksheet

Name: ____________________________ Date: _______________

1. Describe a Moment of Fixed Mindset

Think of a time when you believed you couldn’t improve because you thought your ability was fixed. Describe the situation in detail.








2. Identify the Fixed Mindset Thought

What was the specific thought or phrase you told yourself in that moment? (Example: “I’m just not good at this.”)




3. Reframe into a Growth Mindset Statement

Rewrite your fixed mindset thought as a growth mindset statement. Use positive, “yet” language if possible. (Example: “I’m not good at this yet, but I can improve with practice.”)







4. Two Strategies to Practice Your Growth Mindset

List two concrete strategies you will use next time you face a challenge. Be specific about what you’ll do and when.

  1. Strategy One:




  1. Strategy Two:




5. My Growth Goal

Write one personal goal you will work toward this week using your new growth-mindset approach.






Keep this worksheet handy. After you face a challenge, revisit your reframed statement and strategies. Practice them daily to strengthen your growth mindset!

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Warm Up

Mindset Quick Poll

Time: 3 minutes

How It Works

  • Read each statement aloud.
  • Show thumbs-up 👍 if you agree; thumbs-down 👎 if you disagree.
  • After each statement, invite 2–3 students to share a brief explanation.

Statements

  1. “I enjoy tackling challenges, even when they’re tough.”
  2. “If I make a mistake, it means I’m not good at something.”
  3. “I can improve my abilities with practice.”
  4. “I avoid tasks I can’t do well right away.”

Quick Reflection

Which statement surprised you the most? Write one word that describes how you feel about challenges:



Transition: “Today we’ll learn how our mindset shapes our response to challenges and explore strategies to grow stronger when things get hard.”

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Cool Down

Growth Thoughts Exit Ticket

Name: _____________________________ Date: _______________

1. Key Takeaway

What is one thing you learned about fixed vs. growth mindsets today? Write a brief statement.






2. Next Strategy

Which strategy from today’s lesson will you use the next time you face a challenge? Be specific.






3. Growth Commitment

Finish this sentence: “From now on, I will…”






Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Keep this exit ticket as a reminder to practice and strengthen your growth mindset!

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