Lesson Plan
Mindset Marathon Plan
Students will engage in a statement‐sort debate to surface and challenge existing beliefs about ability before collaborating in a running dictation to reconstruct growth‐mindset passages, strengthening teamwork, reading comprehension, and positive self‐talk.
Starting with a statement sort and brief debate energizes students, uncovers misconceptions about fixed vs. growth mindsets, and primes them to embrace challenges. The running dictation then deepens their understanding through active collaboration.
Audience
8th Grade Middle School Students
Time
90 minutes
Approach
Interactive debate plus collaborative running dictation
Materials
Growth Mindset Passages, Running Dictation Timer Script, Reflection Template, Whiteboard and Markers, and Stopwatch or Timer
Prep
Prepare Materials
15 minutes
- Print and cut each of the Growth Mindset Passages into sentence strips.
- Write 6–8 mindset statements on index cards or the whiteboard, mixing fixed and growth mindset notions (e.g., “Mistakes show I’m not smart,” “Practice makes my brain stronger”).
- Review the Running Dictation Timer Script and place sentence strips at stations.
- Make copies of the Reflection Template for each student.
- Arrange a clear running path and ensure stopwatch or timer is ready.
Step 1
Introduction & Warm-Up
10 minutes
- Display 6–8 mindset statements around the room or on the whiteboard.
- Have students silently sort themselves into two zones: Agree or Disagree with each statement.
- For 2–3 selected statements, invite one student from each zone to give a 30-second justification.
- Facilitate a 2-minute mini-debate: fixed‐mindset vs. growth‐mindset perspectives.
- Debrief with whole class: highlight misconceptions, affirm how a growth mindset frames challenges as opportunities.
Step 2
Explain Running Dictation Activity
10 minutes
- Divide class into groups of 4, assigning roles: two Runners, two Writers.
- Explain rules: runners retrieve a strip, memorize it, return to dictation partner, then swap roles.
- Display the Running Dictation Timer Script signals and timing.
Step 3
Running Dictation Activity
30 minutes
- Round 1–X: Runners collect sentence strips from the station, memorize and dictate to Writers, then switch.
- Writers reconstruct passages; Runners continue until all strips are retrieved.
- Use a stopwatch to time each round and encourage positive self-talk.
Step 4
Group Debrief
20 minutes
- Each group reads their reconstructed passage aloud.
- Discuss: What helped you succeed? How did mistakes feel? How did positive language impact your teamwork?
- Connect observations back to growth mindset principles.
Step 5
Cool-Down & Reflection
10 minutes
- Distribute the Reflection Template.
- Students write: 1) one growth mindset takeaway, 2) a strategy for future challenges, 3) how this strategy will help them.
- Invite volunteers to share insights.
Step 6
Assessment
10 minutes
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Slide Deck
Mindset Marathon
8th Grade SEL Lesson | 90 Minutes
Running Dictation on Growth Mindset
Welcome students and introduce the lesson. Explain that today they’ll run, dictate, and rebuild growth mindset passages to learn about perseverance and teamwork.
Lesson Objectives
- Collaborate in a running dictation to reconstruct growth mindset passages
- Strengthen teamwork and reading comprehension
- Practice positive self-talk and embrace challenges
Read each objective aloud and connect to students’ experiences. Emphasize how collaboration, reading skills, and positive self-talk tie into real challenges.
What Is a Growth Mindset?
A growth mindset means believing abilities can improve with effort.
Fixed mindset believes skills are innate and unchangeable.
Growth mindset characteristics:
• Embrace challenges
• Learn from mistakes
• Value effort
• Persist despite setbacks
Ask students to share times they overcame challenges through effort. Capture their ideas on the board and relate back to these characteristics.
Why Growth Mindset Matters
- Builds resilience in school and life
- Encourages adaptive thinking
- Promotes supportive peer feedback
- Drives long-term success
Discuss how growth mindset builds resilience in school and life. Invite students to explain why each bullet point matters to them.
Activity Overview: Running Dictation
Students work in groups of four: two Runners and two Writers.
Runners memorize sentence strips, return to Writers, and dictate.
Switch roles after each strip until passages are complete.
Highlight that this activity combines movement, memory, and collaboration. Let students know they’ll take on runner and writer roles.
Roles and Rules
Roles:
• Runners: Retrieve and memorize strips from station
• Writers: Record passages accurately
Rules:
- Only two Runners go at a time
- Memorize, then dictate—no notes during the run
- Switch roles after each successful dictation
Demonstrate or describe each role clearly. Emphasize safety—stay in bounds and respect peers.
Timing and Signals
Refer to the Running Dictation Timer Script
• Round length: 3 minutes
• Signal 1: Start Running
• Signal 2: Return to Writer
• Signal 3: Time Check and Swap
Distribute or display the Running Dictation Timer Script. Practice one quick signal so students know what to expect.
Let’s Begin!
- Move to your station and collect your first strip of the Growth Mindset Passages.
- Begin on Signal 1: run and memorize.
- Dictate back to your partner and switch roles until all strips are complete.
Start the stopwatch and give the first signal. Circulate to encourage positive self-talk, e.g., “Keep going!” or “You’ve got this!”
Group Debrief
Discussion Questions:
• What helped your group succeed?
• How did mistakes feel, and what did you learn?
• How did positive self-talk affect your teamwork?
Connect answers to growth mindset principles.
Facilitate discussion and write student responses on the board. Tie answers back to growth mindset principles from earlier.
Reflection
Using the Reflection Template, write:
- One growth mindset takeaway from today
- A strategy you will use for future challenges
Distribute Reflection Templates. Remind students to be specific and personal in their responses.
Assessment & Exit Ticket
Submit your Reflection Template.
Optional exit ticket:
Define growth mindset and give one personal example of applying it in school.
Collect Reflection Templates and optional exit tickets. Review responses to gauge understanding and plan follow-up.
Thank You!
Any questions?
Great work today, everyone!
Praise student effort and engagement. Preview the next SEL topic and invite final questions.
Activity
Growth Mindset Passages
Passage 1
I used to think that if I wasn’t good at something right away, I must not be smart enough. Then I learned that effort and practice help my brain grow stronger. Now when I find a task hard, I remind myself that I haven’t mastered it yet. I feel proud knowing I can improve with patience and persistence.
Passage 2
Challenges can be exciting chances to learn new skills instead of scary obstacles. When I stumble or make mistakes, I slow down and ask myself what I can try differently next time. I celebrate small improvements and keep track of what works. This positive approach helps me build confidence and resilience.
Passage 3
Feedback from others is not a criticism of my worth—it’s a tool I can use to get better. If a teacher or friend points out ways to improve, I listen carefully and practice their suggestions. Each revision brings me closer to my goal and reminds me that learning is a journey. I stay curious and open-minded throughout the process.
Passage 4
When I say “I can’t do this” or “I give up,” I feel stuck and frustrated. But when I change my words to “I can’t do this yet,” I open the door to possibility. This small shift keeps me motivated and ready to try again. I know that making progress, no matter how slow, is still moving forward.
Activity
Running Dictation Timer Script
Use a stopwatch or timer app to keep each round moving smoothly. Each round is 3 minutes long. Follow these timing cues and signals:
- 0:00 – Start Round
• Signal: “Ready… Set… Go!”
• Runners move to their station, pick up a sentence strip, and memorize. - 1:30 – Halfway & Swap
• Signal: “Switch!”
• Runners stop, return to their writers, dictate the strip, and swap roles—writers become runners and vice versa. - 2:30 – Time Check
• Signal: “30 seconds left!”
• Encourage positive self-talk: “You’ve got this!” or “Keep going, team!” - 3:00 – End Round
• Signal: “Time’s up! Pens down.”
• Runners and writers pause. Take a quick group check: Ensure each pair has dictated and recorded at least one strip. - Between Rounds (30 seconds)
• Allow pairs to regroup, compare reconstructed passages so far, and prepare for the next round.
Repeat these cues each round until all sentence strips from the Growth Mindset Passages are collected and reconstructed.
Tip for teachers: Keep your voice energetic, praise effort (“Great memory!”), and remind students of growth mindset phrases (“Not yet!”) as you call each signal.
Activity
Reflection Template
Name: ____________________________ Date: _____________
- One growth mindset takeaway from today’s activity:
- A specific strategy I will use for future challenges:
- How this strategy will help me in school or life: