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The 'Growth Mindset' Blueprint

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Ilonka Brew

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

The 'Growth Mindset' Blueprint

Students will define "growth mindset" and "fixed mindset," identify characteristics of each, and develop strategies to apply a growth mindset to academic and personal challenges.

Cultivating a growth mindset helps students overcome obstacles, build resilience, and achieve greater success in both their academic and personal lives by viewing challenges as opportunities for growth.

Audience

All Grade Levels

Time

1-2 sessions (45-60 minutes each)

Approach

Through direct instruction, interactive activities, and reflection, students will explore mindset concepts.

Materials

  • Growth Mindset Slide Deck, - Mindset Exploration Activity, - My Growth Journey Worksheet, and - Growth Mindset Challenge Project Guide

Prep

Teacher Preparation

20-30 minutes

  • Review the Growth Mindset Slide Deck and familiarize yourself with the content.
    - Print copies of the Mindset Exploration Activity (one per student or group).
    - Print copies of the My Growth Journey Worksheet (one per student).
    - Review the Growth Mindset Challenge Project Guide.
    - Arrange for technology (projector, computer) to display the slide deck.

Step 1

Introduction & Warm-Up: What is a Mindset?

10-15 minutes

  • Begin by asking students: "What does the word 'mindset' mean to you?" Facilitate a brief class discussion.
    - Introduce the concept of a growth mindset using the Growth Mindset Slide Deck (Slides 1-3). Explain that mindsets are our beliefs about our abilities and intelligence.
    - Briefly introduce fixed vs. growth mindsets with simple definitions and examples.

Step 2

Exploring Fixed vs. Growth Mindsets

15-20 minutes

  • Present more detailed examples and characteristics of fixed and growth mindsets using the Growth Mindset Slide Deck (Slides 4-7).
    - Distribute the Mindset Exploration Activity. Have students work individually or in small groups to categorize statements or scenarios as either fixed or growth mindset.
    - Facilitate a class discussion to review their answers, clarifying misconceptions and encouraging students to explain their reasoning.

Step 3

Embracing Challenges: The Power of 'Yet'

10-15 minutes

  • Introduce the concept of the power of 'yet' using the Growth Mindset Slide Deck (Slides 8-9). Discuss how adding 'yet' to a statement can transform a fixed mindset into a growth mindset.
    - Provide examples: "I can't do this" becomes "I can't do this yet". Have students brainstorm their own 'yet' statements related to things they find challenging.
    - Engage students in a brief think-pair-share activity where they share a challenge and how they could apply 'yet' to it.

Step 4

My Growth Journey: Reflection & Application

15-20 minutes

  • Distribute the My Growth Journey Worksheet.
    - Instruct students to reflect on a personal challenge or a skill they want to improve. They should use the worksheet to outline fixed mindset thoughts they might have and then reframe them using growth mindset strategies and the power of 'yet'.
    - Circulate around the room to provide support and guidance as students work.

Step 5

The Growth Mindset Challenge Project Introduction

5-10 minutes

  • Introduce the Growth Mindset Challenge Project Guide as a longer-term application of their learning.
    - Briefly explain the project requirements and rubric. Answer any initial questions.
    - Assign the project for completion over the next few days or weeks, depending on your curriculum.
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Slide Deck

What's Your Mindset?

What comes to mind when you hear the word "mindset"?

Is it how you think? How you feel?

Let's explore together!

Welcome students and begin by asking them to think about what 'mindset' means to them. Encourage a brief brainstorm or quick-write. This sets the stage for the lesson and activates prior knowledge.

Your Brain: A Superpower!

Your brain is amazing! It's like a muscle that can grow stronger with exercise.

But how you think about your brain and your abilities really matters.

This is called your mindset.

Introduce the core idea that a mindset is essentially how we think about our intelligence and abilities. Emphasize that these beliefs deeply influence how we approach challenges and learning.

Fixed Mindset

What is it?

Belief that your abilities, intelligence, and talents are fixed and cannot change.

How does it sound?

  • "I'm just not good at math."
  • "Why bother trying? I'll probably fail."
  • "It's too hard."

Clearly define fixed mindset. Highlight keywords like 'unchangeable' and 'avoid challenges.' Provide simple, relatable examples that students might recognize in themselves or others.

Growth Mindset

What is it?

Belief that your abilities, intelligence, and talents can grow and improve with effort and practice.

How does it sound?

  • "Math is tough right now, but I can improve if I keep practicing!"
  • "I'll try my best, and I'll learn something new no matter what."
  • "This is challenging, but I can figure it out!"

Clearly define growth mindset. Emphasize keywords like 'can grow' and 'embrace challenges.' Provide contrasting, positive examples to the fixed mindset ones.

Fixed vs. Growth: A Quick Look

Fixed MindsetGrowth Mindset
Avoids challengesEmbraces challenges
Gives up easilyPersists through obstacles
Ignores useful negative feedbackLearns from criticism
Feels threatened by others' successFinds inspiration in others' success

Present a clear visual comparison of fixed and growth mindsets. This slide aims to summarize the key differences students should be aware of.

The Power of "Yet"

Sometimes, when things are hard, we might say:

"I can't do it!"

But what if we added one small word?

"I can't do it... YET!"

Introduce the common phrase 'the power of yet' as a simple, actionable strategy for shifting from a fixed to a growth mindset. Explain how a single word can change perspective.

Say it With "Yet"!

Adding "yet" transforms a wall into a stepping stone.

  • "I don't understand this problem."
    -> "I don't understand this problem yet!"
  • "I'm not good at drawing."
    -> "I'm not good at drawing yet!"
  • "I haven't learned how to ride a bike."
    -> "I haven't learned how to ride a bike yet!"

Provide more examples of 'yet' in action. Encourage students to think about their own challenges and how they could apply this phrase.

Your Mindset, Your Choice!

Every day, you have a choice:

  • Will you shy away from challenges?
  • Or will you embrace them as opportunities to grow?

Choose growth! Your brain will thank you.

Conclude by reiterating the main message: a growth mindset is about continuous learning and effort. Encourage students to reflect on how they can apply these ideas.

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Activity

Mindset Exploration Activity

Instructions: Read each statement below. Decide if it represents a Fixed Mindset (F) or a Growth Mindset (G). Write 'F' or 'G' in the blank space next to each statement.

  1. "I'm just not a math person; I'll never understand algebra." ______



  2. "I made a mistake, but I can learn from it and do better next time." ______



  3. "This project is too hard; I think I'll just give up." ______



  4. "I love challenges because they help me get smarter!" ______



  5. "If I have to work hard, it means I'm not smart enough." ______



  6. "I want to try a new sport even though I might not be good at it at first." ______



  7. "My intelligence is something I can develop with effort." ______



  8. "I don't like getting feedback on my work because it feels like criticism." ______



  9. "Seeing my friends succeed inspires me to work harder too." ______



  10. "I'm worried about trying new things because I might make a fool of myself." ______



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Worksheet

My Growth Journey Worksheet

Instructions: Think about a challenge you are facing right now, or a skill you want to improve. Use this worksheet to reflect on your current mindset and plan how you can apply a growth mindset to achieve your goals.

1. My Current Challenge or Skill I Want to Improve:

Describe something you find difficult or something you want to get better at.













2. Fixed Mindset Thoughts (How I might think about it now):

What are some negative or limiting thoughts you might have about this challenge or your ability to improve?

  • "I can't..."
  • "It's too..."
  • "I'm not..."










3. The Power of "Yet" (Reframing with a Growth Mindset):

Now, take those fixed mindset thoughts and add the word "yet" or reframe them into growth mindset statements. How can you see this as an opportunity for learning?

  • "I can't... yet!"
  • "It's challenging, but I can..."
  • "I'm not... yet, but I will learn!"










4. My Growth Mindset Action Plan:

What specific steps can you take to work towards overcoming this challenge or improving this skill? Think about effort, strategies, and learning from mistakes.










5. What I will learn from this experience:

How will this journey help you grow, even if you don't achieve perfect results immediately?








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Project Guide

Growth Mindset Challenge Project Guide

Objective: To apply growth mindset principles to a real-life challenge or learning goal, demonstrating resilience, effort, and a positive approach to obstacles.

Project Description:
For this project, you will choose a personal challenge or a skill you wish to develop. This could be anything from learning a new instrument, improving in a specific subject, mastering a new physical activity, or developing a new habit. You will document your journey, focusing on how you use a growth mindset to navigate difficulties and celebrate progress.

Project Steps:

1. Identify Your Challenge/Goal (Week 1)

  • Clearly define one specific challenge you want to tackle or a skill you want to acquire/improve over the next 2-3 weeks.
  • Write down why you chose this goal and what you hope to achieve.
  • Identify potential obstacles or fixed mindset thoughts you might encounter.

2. Develop Your Growth Mindset Action Plan (Week 1)

  • Outline concrete steps you will take to work towards your goal.
  • Think about strategies you will use when you face difficulties (e.g., asking for help, trying new methods, practicing more).
  • Incorporate the "power of yet" into your thinking.

3. Document Your Journey (Weeks 1-3)

  • Keep a Growth Journal (you can create a simple notebook or use a digital document). Once a week (or more frequently if you choose), write about your progress.
    • What efforts did you make?
    • What obstacles did you face?
    • How did you use your growth mindset (e.g., "I didn't understand this yet, so I watched a video and asked a friend!")?
    • What did you learn from your mistakes or setbacks?
    • What small successes did you celebrate?
  • Include any evidence of your effort (e.g., photos, screenshots of practice, notes, rough drafts).

4. Share Your Growth Story (End of Project)

  • Prepare a short presentation (3-5 minutes), a poster, or a written reflection to share your project with the class.
  • Focus on:
    • Your initial challenge/goal.
    • The fixed mindset thoughts you overcame.
    • The growth mindset strategies you employed.
    • What you learned from the experience (even if you didn't fully achieve your goal, what did you gain?).
    • How you plan to continue applying a growth mindset in the future.

Assessment:
Your project will be assessed based on the following:

  • Clarity of Goal: Was your challenge/goal clearly defined?
  • Growth Mindset Application: Did you demonstrate an understanding and application of growth mindset principles (e.g., effort, resilience, learning from mistakes, "power of yet")?
  • Documentation: Was your journey well-documented in your Growth Journal with reflective entries and evidence of effort?
  • Presentation/Reflection: Was your final sharing clear, thoughtful, and engaging?

This project is about your growth, not just the final outcome. Embrace the process, and remember: every effort makes your brain stronger!

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