Lesson Plan
Embracing Challenges
Students will be able to define growth mindset and identify ways to apply it to their own challenges, fostering resilience and a positive attitude.
Developing a growth mindset helps students understand that their abilities can grow through dedication and hard work. This empowers them to face academic and personal challenges with perseverance, ultimately fostering a love for learning and continuous improvement.
Audience
5th Grade Student
Time
45 minutes
Approach
Discussion, reading, and personal reflection.
Materials
Whiteboard or projector, Markers or pens, Brains Can Grow Slide Deck, The Power of Yet Reading, and My Effort and Growth Log Journal
Prep
Teacher Preparation
15 minutes
- Review the Embracing Challenges Lesson Plan and all supporting materials.
- Prepare the whiteboard or projector for the Brains Can Grow Slide Deck.
- Print copies of The Power of Yet Reading and My Effort and Growth Log Journal for the student.
Step 1
Introduction: What's Your Mindset?
10 minutes
- Begin by asking the student: "What do you usually think when something feels really hard? Do you ever feel like giving up, or do you think about how you can get better?" (2 minutes)
- Introduce the concept of 'mindset' – how we think about our abilities and challenges. Explain that there are two main types: a 'fixed mindset' and a 'growth mindset'. (3 minutes)
- Use the Brains Can Grow Slide Deck (Slides 1-3) to visually introduce these concepts. Explain that a fixed mindset believes abilities are set, while a growth mindset believes abilities can grow. (5 minutes)
Step 2
Exploring Growth Mindset: Brains Can Grow
15 minutes
- Continue with the Brains Can Grow Slide Deck (Slides 4-7) to delve deeper into the science behind a growth mindset – how our brains actually grow stronger when we learn new things and make mistakes.
- Read aloud or have the student read The Power of Yet Reading. Discuss the main ideas and examples presented in the reading. (10 minutes)
- Facilitate a discussion: "What does 'the power of yet' mean to you? Can you think of a time when you used 'yet' to help you?" (5 minutes)
Step 3
Personal Reflection: My Growth Mindset Journey
15 minutes
- Introduce the My Effort and Growth Log Journal. Explain that this journal is a tool to help them practice their growth mindset.
- Guide the student through the first few prompts in the journal, encouraging them to think about a challenge they currently face or have faced in the past. (5 minutes)
- Allow independent time for the student to continue writing in their journal. Offer support and prompts as needed. (10 minutes)
Step 4
Wrap-up and Future Focus
5 minutes
- Ask the student to share one key takeaway about growth mindset they learned today. (2 minutes)
- Encourage the student to continue using their My Effort and Growth Log Journal to reflect on their learning and challenges throughout the week.
- Conclude by reinforcing the idea that everyone can develop a growth mindset and that effort is key to growth. (3 minutes)
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Slide Deck
Welcome to Your Growth Mindset Journey!
What happens when things get tough?
Welcome the student. Ask them about a time they found something difficult. Introduce the idea of how we think about challenges.
Two Ways to Think: Fixed Mindset
- Belief that your abilities are set in stone.
- "I'm not good at this, and I never will be."
- Avoids challenges, gives up easily.
- Sees mistakes as failures.
Explain that our mindset is how we think about our abilities. Introduce fixed mindset.
Two Ways to Think: Growth Mindset
- Belief that your abilities can grow with effort.
- "I'm not good at this yet, but I can learn!"
- Embraces challenges, learns from mistakes.
- Sees effort as the path to mastery.
Introduce growth mindset, emphasizing that our brains can change and grow.
Your Brain is Like a Muscle!
- The more you use it, the stronger it gets!
- Every time you learn something new, your brain makes new connections.
- Mistakes are opportunities for your brain to grow!
Explain the concept of neuroplasticity in simple terms.
Effort + Strategy = Growth
- It's not just about trying hard, but also trying smart.
- When something is difficult, what strategies can you use?
- Ask for help, try a different approach, practice more!
Reinforce that effort and strategy are key to growth.
The Magic Word: YET!
- Instead of "I can't do it," say "I can't do it yet."
- "Yet" means you are on a journey of learning.
- It changes discouragement into hope and effort.
Introduce the idea of the 'power of yet'.
Your Growth Mindset Superpower
- You have the power to change how you think about challenges.
- What will you say to yourself next time something feels hard?
- "I'm not there yet, but I'm learning and growing!"
Encourage the student to think about how they can apply 'yet' to their own lives.
Reading
The Power of Yet!
Have you ever felt like you just couldn't do something? Maybe a math problem seemed impossible, or learning a new skill felt too hard. It's a common feeling, and sometimes it makes us want to give up. But what if there was a secret word that could change everything?
That word is YET.
Think about it. Instead of saying, "I can't do this," you could say, "I can't do this YET." It's a small change, but it makes a huge difference! Adding "yet" means that you believe you can do it in the future. It means you understand that learning takes time, practice, and effort.
How "Yet" Works Its Magic
When you use "yet," you are using a growth mindset. A growth mindset means you believe your intelligence and talents can grow and develop over time with dedication and hard work. Just like a muscle gets stronger with exercise, your brain gets stronger when you learn new things and tackle challenges.
- Challenges are Opportunities: When you face something difficult, a growth mindset with the power of "yet" helps you see it as a chance to learn and improve, not as a reason to quit.
- Mistakes are Your Teachers: Everyone makes mistakes! Instead of feeling bad, a growth mindset helps you see mistakes as clues that show you what to try differently next time.
- Effort Pays Off: Believing in "yet" means you know that putting in effort, even when it's hard, will help you get closer to your goals.
Real-Life "Yet" Moments
Imagine learning to ride a bike. At first, you might have fallen a lot! You didn't say, "I can't ride a bike, ever." Instead, you probably thought, "I can't ride a bike yet, but I'll keep trying!" And what happened? With practice, you learned!
Or think about a video game level that seems impossible. You don't just stop playing, right? You think, "I haven't beaten this level yet, but I'm going to figure out the strategy!" And you keep going until you succeed.
The power of yet helps you keep going, keep learning, and keep growing. It's a powerful tool for your mind that helps you overcome obstacles and reach your full potential. So, what challenge are you going to face with the power of "yet" today?
Journal
My Effort and Growth Log
This journal is your space to think about your learning, your challenges, and how your brain is growing! Remember, every effort you make helps your brain get stronger.
Prompt 1: A Challenge I Faced (or Am Facing)
Think about something that felt difficult for you recently. It could be in school, a sport, a hobby, or even something with friends or family.
What was the challenge?
How did you feel when you first faced this challenge? What were your initial thoughts?
Prompt 2: Applying the Power of "Yet"
Now, think about that challenge again. If you were using the "power of yet," how would you talk about it?
Instead of saying "I can't..." what would you say?
What are some different strategies or steps you could try to overcome this challenge? (Think about asking for help, trying new methods, or practicing more.)
Prompt 3: My Brain's Growth
Recall a time when you struggled with something, but then, with effort, you eventually understood it or got better at it. This shows your brain growing!
Describe that experience:
How did it feel to finally succeed or improve? What did you learn about your own ability to grow?
Prompt 4: My Growth Mindset Goal
What is one new habit or thought you want to try this week to strengthen your growth mindset?
How will you remind yourself to use the power of "yet" when things get tough?
My Weekly Growth Reflection
(Use this space to log your efforts and reflections throughout the week)
Date:
Challenge/Learning Moment:
My Effort/Strategy:
What I Learned/How I Grew (or will grow!):
Date:
Challenge/Learning Moment:
My Effort/Strategy:
What I Learned/How I Grew (or will grow!):
Date:
Challenge/Learning Moment:
My Effort/Strategy:
What I Learned/How I Grew (or will grow!):