Slide Deck
Mindset Matters
Understanding how our beliefs about ability shape our resilience and success.
Welcome students! Introduce today’s topic: how our mindset influences learning. Explain that we’ll explore fixed vs. growth mindsets, do a quick warm-up, and discuss how to adopt a growth mindset.
Learning Objectives
• Define fixed and growth mindsets
• Identify examples in real-life scenarios
• Reflect on your own beliefs (Quick Belief Check)
• Learn strategies to cultivate a growth mindset
Read objectives aloud. Encourage students to track their own progress as we move through each goal.
What Is Mindset?
Fixed Mindset: The belief that intelligence and talent are static traits.
Growth Mindset: The belief that ability can be developed through effort, strategies, and feedback.
Explain each definition. Ask for student volunteers to restate in their own words.
Fixed vs. Growth in Action
Scenario 1: Alex gets a low grade and thinks, “I’m just not good at math,” so they stop trying.
Scenario 2: Jamie receives tough feedback on their essay and says, “What can I learn to improve?” then revises and grows.
Walk through each scenario. Pause to ask: “Which mindset do you see here?”
Quick Belief Check (Warm-up)
- “I can learn anything with practice.”
- “Feedback helps me grow.”
- “Sometimes I feel I’ll never be good at certain subjects.”
Rate each statement 1 (SD) to 5 (SA).
Distribute the Quick Belief Check handout or display on board. Give students 3 minutes to rate statements 1-5 (Strongly Disagree to Strongly Agree).
Shifting Perspectives
Discuss with a partner:
• Identify one fixed-mindset thought you’ve had.
• Reframe it into a growth-mindset statement.
• Share your reframed statement with the class.
Use this script aloud:
“Let’s shift perspective. Notice any fixed-mindset thoughts? We can reframe them: ‘I can’t do this’ becomes ‘I can’t do this yet, but I will get better with effort.’
Ask yourselves: What small step can you take today to challenge a fixed belief?”
Cultivating Growth Mindset
• Embrace challenges as opportunities
• View effort as the path to mastery
• Learn from feedback and mistakes
• Celebrate others’ success as inspiration
Summarize key strategies. Encourage students to pick one to practice this week.
Reflection & Takeaway
• How will you apply a growth mindset this week?
• What challenge will you tackle differently?
Write down your action step and keep it visible.
Closing: Remind students to apply these strategies. Collect belief check reflections or ask for volunteers to share one takeaway.
Script
Teacher Talk: Shifting Perspectives
Teacher (enthusiastic):
“Great work on the Quick Belief Check, everyone! You’ve just taken the first step toward recognizing how your thoughts can shape your learning journey.
Now, let’s move to our next activity: Shifting Perspectives. On the slide, you’ll see three clear steps. Follow along with me:
- Identify a fixed-mindset thought you’ve had.
- Reframe it into a growth-mindset statement.
- Share your new statement with the class.
I’ll model an example first. Sometimes I catch myself thinking, ‘I’m just not good at public speaking,’ whenever I speak in front of large groups. That’s a fixed-mindset thought. To reframe it, I can say, ‘I may not feel comfortable yet, but I can improve my public speaking skills with practice and feedback.’ See how adding ‘yet’ and focusing on practice turns a roadblock into an opportunity?
Now it’s your turn. Turn to the person next to you and identify one fixed-mindset thought you’ve had—maybe about math, writing, art, or sports. Keep it brief. Then, reframe it by adding ‘yet’ or by focusing on effort, strategies, or feedback.
You have two minutes. Begin!”
Teacher (after two minutes, claps hands lightly):
“Time’s up! Who would like to share their fixed thought and reframe with the class? I’d love to hear a volunteer.”
(Allow several students to share; encourage applause or supportive comments.)
Teacher (wrap-up):
“Thank you, everyone, for sharing! Notice how powerful it is to change even one word. As you move through your day—at home, in sports, or in other classes—see if you can catch a fixed-mindset thought and reframe it. Remember: ‘I can’t do this…yet.’ That little ‘yet’ opens the door to growth.”
Transition: “Next, we’ll look at some concrete strategies to help us keep that growth mindset in action. Let’s flip to the Cultivating Growth Mindset slide.”
Warm Up
Quick Belief Check
Instructions: Rate each statement from 1 (Strongly Disagree) to 5 (Strongly Agree).
- I can learn anything with practice.
- Feedback helps me grow.
- Sometimes I feel I’ll never be good at certain subjects.