The Growth Mindset Challenge

Tracy Bales

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

The Growth Mindset Challenge

Students will understand the concept of a growth mindset, identify fixed vs. growth mindset statements, and learn strategies to apply a growth mindset to challenges and mistakes.

Understanding a growth mindset empowers students to take on challenges, persist through setbacks, and ultimately achieve greater academic and personal success. This lesson provides tools for resilience and a positive approach to learning.

Audience

7th Grade Students

Time

45-55 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, visual aids, and practical application through activities.

Materials

Smartboard or Projector, Growth Mindset Slides, Growth Mindset Activity, Growth Mindset Journal, and Pens/Pencils

Prep

Teacher Preparation

20 minutes

Review the Growth Mindset Slides to familiarize yourself with the content and talking points.
Print copies of the Growth Mindset Activity (one per student).
Print copies of the Growth Mindset Journal (one per student).
Ensure projector/smartboard is set up and working.
Review the generated materials as needed to ensure comfort with the lesson flow and content.

Step 1

Introduction: What is Mindset?

5 minutes

Begin by displaying the title slide of the Growth Mindset Slides.
Engage students with a quick warm-up question: "What do you think 'mindset' means?" Allow a few students to share their initial thoughts.
Introduce the concept of fixed vs. growth mindset using the first few slides. Explain that a mindset is how we think about our abilities and intelligence.

Step 2

Exploring Fixed vs. Growth Mindset

10 minutes

Use the Growth Mindset Slides to present the characteristics of fixed and growth mindsets.
Provide clear examples of each. Ask students to think about examples from their own lives or from people they know.
Facilitate a short discussion, asking: "Can you think of a time when you had a fixed mindset about something? What about a growth mindset?"

Step 3

Growth Mindset Activity: Brain Power!

15 minutes

Distribute the Growth Mindset Activity.
Explain the instructions for the activity, emphasizing that it's an opportunity to apply what they've learned about mindsets.
Circulate around the room, providing support and facilitating small group discussions as students work.
After the allotted time, briefly review some answers as a class, encouraging students to share their reasoning.

Step 4

Embracing Challenges and Mistakes

10 minutes

Transition to the slides discussing challenges and mistakes as opportunities for growth.
Share inspiring examples of individuals who demonstrated a growth mindset in the face of setbacks (e.g., famous inventors, athletes, or even fictional characters).
Discuss strategies for developing a growth mindset, such as using

Step 5

Journal Reflection and Cool Down

5 minutes

Distribute the Growth Mindset Journal.
Explain that this is a time for individual reflection on what they learned and how they can apply a growth mindset.
Encourage students to write thoughtfully about the prompts.
Conclude the lesson by emphasizing the power of effort and the idea that their brains are capable of amazing growth.

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Slide Deck

The Growth Mindset Challenge

Your Brain Can Grow!

Welcome students and introduce the topic. Ask a warm-up question: "What do you think 'mindset' means?"

What is a Mindset?

It's how you think about your abilities and intelligence.

It can be fixed or growth.

Explain that a mindset is how we think about our abilities and intelligence. It shapes how we approach challenges.

Fixed Mindset

Belief that abilities are natural and cannot be changed.
Avoids challenges to prevent failure.
Gives up easily when facing obstacles.
Sees effort as pointless.
Ignores useful negative feedback.
Feels threatened by the success of others.

Describe the characteristics of a fixed mindset. Emphasize that people with this mindset believe their abilities are static.

Growth Mindset

Belief that abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work.
Embraces challenges as opportunities to grow.
Persists in the face of setbacks.
Sees effort as the path to mastery.
Learns from criticism.
Finds inspiration in the success of others.

Describe the characteristics of a growth mindset. Highlight that people with this mindset believe their abilities can be developed through hard work.

Fixed vs. Growth: Examples

Fixed: "I'm just not good at math."
Growth: "Math is tough, but I can improve if I practice more."

Fixed: "Why bother trying? I'll probably fail."
Growth: "I'll give it my best shot. Even if it's hard, I'll learn something."

Provide clear examples for students to distinguish between the two mindsets. Engage them by asking which mindset they think is at play.

Challenges = Opportunities

💪 Your brain is like a muscle – the more you use it, the stronger it gets!

🌟 Don't avoid hard things, embrace them! They help you learn and grow.

Emphasize that challenges are not roadblocks, but opportunities to strengthen their 'brain muscles'.

Mistakes Are Not Failures!

❌ Mistakes are NOT the end of the world.

✅ They are chances to learn, adjust, and try again!

🧠 Every mistake gives your brain new information.

Discuss how mistakes are crucial for learning. Encourage students to view them as feedback, not failures.

Strategies for a Growth Mindset

Use the word "yet": "I don't know it... yet!"
Learn from your mistakes.
Ask for help and feedback.
Focus on effort, not just the outcome.
Celebrate small improvements.

Introduce actionable strategies students can use to cultivate a growth mindset.

Your Brain. Your Power.

You have the power to grow and learn!

Keep challenging yourself and never stop believing in your ability to improve.

Conclude by reiterating the core message: their potential is limitless with effort and a positive attitude.