Growth Mindset Scenarios Activity

Instructions: Read each scenario with your group. Discuss whether the character is showing a fixed mindset or a growth mindset. Then, brainstorm how the character could reframe their thoughts or actions to demonstrate a growth mindset. Write your answers in the space provided.

Scenario 1: The Math Test

Scenario: Maya studied hard for her math test, but she still got a lower score than she hoped. She thought, "I guess I'm just not a math person. There's no point in trying harder next time." She felt discouraged and didn't review her mistakes.

What mindset is Maya demonstrating?

How could Maya show a growth mindset?

Scenario 2: Learning a New Sport

Scenario: Alex joined the school's soccer team, but he found it difficult to kick the ball accurately and often missed passes. He told his coach, "I'm terrible at this. Everyone else is so much better than me. I should just quit." He stopped practicing outside of team sessions.

What mindset is Alex demonstrating?

How could Alex show a growth mindset?

Scenario 3: The Creative Writing Project

Scenario: Sarah was assigned a creative writing project, and she was worried because she didn't think she was a very imaginative writer. She spent a long time staring at a blank page, convinced she had no good ideas. She kept saying, "I'm not creative enough for this."

What mindset is Sarah demonstrating?

How could Sarah show a growth mindset?

Scenario 4: Presenting in Class

Scenario: David had to give a presentation to his class, and he was very nervous. During the presentation, he stumbled over a few words. Afterward, he thought, "I made a fool of myself. I'm never speaking in front of people again." He avoided eye contact for the rest of the day.

What mindset is David demonstrating?

How could David show a growth mindset?

Scenario 5: Playing a Musical Instrument

Scenario: Emily started learning to play the guitar, but after a few weeks, she struggled with a new chord progression. She got frustrated and said, "My fingers just aren't coordinated enough. This is too hard." She put her guitar down and didn't pick it up for a week.

What mindset is Emily demonstrating?

How could Emily show a growth mindset?

Growth Mindset Personal Reflection

Instructions: Read each question and reflect on your own experiences and thoughts. Write your honest answers in the space provided.

Part 1: My Mindset Inventory

1. Describe a time when you felt something was too difficult for you. What did you think or say to yourself in that moment?
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. Have you ever given up on something because you thought you weren't naturally good at it? What was it, and why did you stop?
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. Describe a time when you worked hard at something and saw yourself improve. What was it, and how did that feel?
   
   
   
   
   
   

4. When you receive feedback or criticism, how do you usually react? Do you see it as a personal attack, or as an opportunity to learn?
   
   
   
   
   
   

Part 2: Shifting to a Growth Mindset

Instructions: For each fixed mindset statement below, rewrite it as a growth mindset statement. Think about how you can add 'yet' or focus on effort and learning.

1. Fixed Mindset: "I'm just not creative."
   Growth Mindset:
   
   
   

2. Fixed Mindset: "I made a mistake, so I must be bad at this."
   Growth Mindset:
   
   
   

3. Fixed Mindset: "This problem is too hard for me."
   Growth Mindset:
   
   
   

4. Fixed Mindset: "I don't like trying new things because I might fail."
   Growth Mindset:
   
   
   

Part 3: My Personal Fixed Mindset Statements (and their Growth Mindset Makeovers!)

Instructions: Think about some common fixed mindset thoughts you have or hear often. Write them down, then transform them into powerful growth mindset statements.

1. My Fixed Mindset Thought:
   
   
   
   Its Growth Mindset Makeover:
   
   
   

2. My Fixed Mindset Thought:
   
   
   
   Its Growth Mindset Makeover:
   
   
   

Part 4: My Growth Goals

1. Think of one area in your life (school, hobbies, personal skills) where you want to develop a stronger growth mindset this week. What is it?
   
   
   

2. What is one specific action you will take tomorrow to practice a growth mindset in that area? (e.g., "When I get a low score on a quiz, I will ask my teacher for help to understand my mistakes.")
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. Who can help support you in developing your growth mindset (e.g., a teacher, parent, friend)?
   
   
   

Growth Mindset Discussion Prompts

Introduction Discussion Prompts (Warm-up)

• Have you ever heard someone say, "I'm just not a math person" or "I'm a natural at art"? What do you think those statements mean?
• When you face something really difficult, what's your first thought? Do you feel excited to tackle it, or do you want to avoid it?
• Think about something you once found hard but are now good at. What changed?

Fixed vs. Growth Mindset Deep Dive Discussion Prompts

• Based on what we've discussed, what's the biggest difference between someone with a fixed mindset and someone with a growth mindset?
• Can you think of a famous person or a character from a book/movie who demonstrates a strong growth mindset? What did they do?
• Why might someone be afraid to try new things if they have a fixed mindset?
• How can simply changing the words you use (like adding "yet") change how you approach a challenge?

Post-Activity Reflection Discussion Prompts

• During the Growth Mindset Scenarios Activity, which scenario was the most challenging to reframe, and why?
• What's one new strategy you learned today for turning a fixed mindset thought into a growth mindset thought?
• How might having a growth mindset help you in your schoolwork? What about outside of school, like in sports or with friends?
• Why is it important to embrace challenges and even mistakes, instead of avoiding them?
• Looking at your own Growth Mindset Worksheet, what is one personal growth goal you're excited to work on? What small step can you take towards it this week?