Lesson Plan
Mindset Makeover Lesson Plan
Students will understand the benefits of a positive mindset and practice reframing challenges to boost resilience and optimism in daily life.
Cultivating a positive mindset enhances academic performance, emotional well-being, and perseverance by helping students navigate setbacks with optimism.
Audience
9th Grade Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, guided activities, and reflective exercises
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Review Positive Mindset Slideshow and familiarize yourself with the key discussion points.
- Print enough copies of the Challenge Reframing Worksheet and Growth Mindset Reflection Sheet for each student.
- Queue up The Power of Yet Video for seamless playback.
Step 1
Warm-Up: Mindset Mind Map
5 minutes
- Project a blank mind map slide from the Positive Mindset Slideshow.
- Ask students to shout out positive words or phrases that come to mind and place them on the board.
- Briefly discuss common themes and how language shapes our mindset.
Step 2
Introduction: The Power of Yet
5 minutes
- Play The Power of Yet Video.
- Ask students: “How does this video change your view of challenges?”
- Highlight the shift from fixed to growth mindset using student responses.
Step 3
Activity 1: Reframing Challenges
10 minutes
- Distribute the Challenge Reframing Worksheet.
- Present a sample negative statement on the slideshow (e.g., “I’ll never understand this”).
- Guide students to rewrite it in growth-oriented language (e.g., “I can improve with practice”).
- Have students complete two more reframing examples individually, then pair-share their results.
Step 4
Activity 2: Growth Mindset Reflection
7 minutes
- Distribute the Growth Mindset Reflection Sheet.
- Prompt students to reflect on a recent setback and write how they can apply a growth mindset to it.
- Encourage sharing reflections in small groups to reinforce peer learning.
Step 5
Cool-Down: Group Share & Wrap-Up
3 minutes
- Invite a few volunteers to share their reframed statements or reflections.
- Reinforce the importance of applying these strategies daily.
- Assign a “Mindset Check-In” journal for homework: note one growth mindset moment each day.
Slide Deck
Developing a Positive Mindset
• Understand why mindset matters
• Learn to reframe challenges
• Build resilience through growth–oriented thinking
Let’s dive in!
Welcome students! Today we'll explore how a positive mindset shapes our success and well-being. Introduce the lesson objective: understanding benefits of optimism and practicing reframing challenges.
Warm-Up: Mindset Mind Map
[Blank mind map area]
• Write student words and phrases around the central theme “Positive Mindset”
Warm-Up activity: project this blank mind map and invite students to shout out positive words. Capture student responses on the board. Highlight how the language we choose influences our mindset.
Introduce the concept of “yet” as a powerful tool for shifting from fixed to growth mindset. Play the video and then facilitate a quick discussion using the prompts.
Activity 1: Reframing Challenges
- Sample negative statement:
“I’ll never understand this.” - Reframed statement:
“I can improve with practice.” - Now it’s your turn!
Guide students through reframing a negative statement. Present the sample, model how to shift language toward growth, then explain they’ll practice with their own examples.
Your Turn: Challenge Reframing
• Negative Statement #1: ____________
• Reframed Statement #1: ____________
• Negative Statement #2: ____________
• Reframed Statement #2: ____________
Students work individually to complete two more reframing examples, then pair up and share their new statements. Circulate to support and prompt deeper thinking.
Activity 2: Growth Mindset Reflection
• Think of a setback you experienced recently.
• Describe what happened.
• Write a growth-oriented response: How can you learn or improve from this experience?
Explain the reflection sheet: students recall a recent setback and apply growth mindset language. Encourage honest, specific reflections.
Cool-Down: Group Share & Wrap-Up
• Volunteer shares
• Reinforce key takeaways
• Homework: Daily Mindset Check-In
Invite volunteers to share reflections or reframed statements. Emphasize daily practice of these strategies. Assign “Mindset Check-In” journal homework: note one growth mindset moment each day.
Worksheet
Challenge Reframing Worksheet
Instructions
Rewrite each negative statement below into a growth-oriented statement. Reflect on how changing your language can boost resilience and optimism.
1. Sample
Negative Statement: “I’ll never understand this.”
Reframed Statement: “I can improve with practice.”
2. Your Turn
Negative Statement #1: _________________________________
Reframed Statement #1: _________________________________
3. Your Turn
Negative Statement #2: _________________________________
Reframed Statement #2: _________________________________
4. Your Turn
Negative Statement #3: _________________________________
Reframed Statement #3: _________________________________
Use this sheet to practice turning doubts and challenges into opportunities for growth!
Worksheet
Growth Mindset Reflection Sheet
Instructions
Reflect on a recent setback and explore how applying a growth mindset can help you learn and move forward. Provide detailed responses in each section.
1. Describe the Challenge
What happened? Describe the setback or obstacle you faced.
2. Thoughts and Feelings
What thoughts went through your mind? How did you feel when this challenge occurred?
3. Reframe with a Growth Mindset
How can you view this challenge as an opportunity to learn or improve? What positive statements or “yet” phrases can you use?
4. Action Plan
What specific steps will you take to overcome this obstacle and grow from the experience?
5. Future Reflection
How will applying a growth mindset change the way you approach similar challenges in the future?
Script
Mindset Makeover Script
Warm-Up: Mindset Mind Map (5 minutes)
Teacher (Projecting slide):
“Good morning, everyone! Today we’re diving into how our mindset shapes our success and well-being. Let’s kick off with a quick warm-up: I’ve pulled up a blank mind map from our Positive Mindset Slideshow. In the center is ‘Positive Mindset.’
What words or phrases come to mind when you think of a positive mindset? Shout them out, and I’ll write them around the circle. Who wants to go first?”
[Teacher writes responses on board.]
Teacher (after 1–2 minutes):
“Awesome: I see words like ‘resilience,’ ‘confidence,’ ‘growth,’ and ‘hope.’ What patterns do you notice here? How do these words make us feel?”
Possible follow-up prompts:
- “Why might ‘growth’ stand out as especially powerful?”
- “How does the word ‘resilience’ influence our attitude toward setbacks?”
Teacher (conclude):
“Great observations! Notice how the language we choose can lift us up or hold us back. Let’s keep that in mind as we move forward.”
Introduction: The Power of Yet (5 minutes)
Teacher:
“Next, we’re going to watch a short video called ‘The Power of Yet.’ As you watch, think about how adding one simple word can totally change your view of a challenge.”
Teacher (after video):
“Okay, what stood out to you? How did that video change your perspective on challenges?”
Wait for responses.
Possible follow-up prompts:
- “If you heard someone say ‘I can’t do this,’ how could you add ‘yet’ to make it growth-oriented?”
- “Who can give me an example of a sentence transformed by ‘yet’?”
Teacher (reinforce):
“Exactly— ‘I can’t do this yet.’ That tiny word opens the door to practice, learning, and growth.”
Activity 1: Reframing Challenges (10 minutes)
Teacher (Handing out worksheets):
“Now I’m passing out the Challenge Reframing Worksheet. On the first page, you’ll see a sample: ‘I’ll never understand this,’ which we turned into ‘I can improve with practice.’
Your task: On Negative Statement #1, write a statement you often tell yourself when things get tough. Then in Reframed Statement #1, rewrite it in growth-oriented language. You have 4 minutes to work individually.”
[Students work. Teacher circulates, offers support.]
Teacher (after 4 minutes):
“Time’s up! Now turn to the person next to you. Share your original and reframed statements. Listen and ask each other: ‘What makes the new statement more empowering?’ You have 2 minutes.”
[Pair-share activity.]
Teacher (after pair-share):
“Would anyone like to share theirs with the class? What did you reframe, and how did it feel?”
Possible follow-up prompts:
- “What caught your attention about that reframed statement?”
- “How might using that language change your actions next time you face a challenge?”
Activity 2: Growth Mindset Reflection (7 minutes)
Teacher (Distributing sheets):
“Next, pick up the Growth Mindset Reflection Sheet. Think back to a recent setback—maybe a tough test, a game loss, or an argument. In section 1, describe what happened. In section 2, write how it made you feel. In section 3, reframe using growth-oriented ‘yet’ phrases. Section 4: set a clear action plan. Section 5: reflect on how this mindset will help you in the future.
You have 6 minutes. Be honest and detailed—I’ll come around if you need help.”
[Students write; teacher supports as needed.]
Teacher (after time):
“Let’s hear from a couple of volunteers. Who wants to share a reframed statement or an action plan?”
Possible follow-up prompts:
- “What’s one small step you’ll take tomorrow to follow your action plan?”
- “How does that new perspective change how you feel about the setback?”
Cool-Down: Group Share & Wrap-Up (3 minutes)
Teacher:
“Thank you for sharing your insights. Today you practiced turning difficult thoughts into opportunities for growth. Remember, you can add ‘yet’ to almost any challenge.”
“For homework, I’m assigning a ‘Mindset Check-In’ journal. Each day this week, write down one moment when you used a growth mindset or added ‘yet’ to your thinking. We’ll discuss these moments in our next class.”
Teacher (closing):
“Great work today! Keep practicing that positive language—your mindset is your most powerful tool.”