The Power of Yet

Sara Andrea Mendoza

Tier 3

Lesson Plan

Growth Mindset Plan

Help 11th-grade students develop a growth mindset by recognizing that abilities can improve with effort and persistence, and encourage them to build self-esteem through reflection on challenges.

Building a growth mindset empowers students to view challenges as opportunities, boosting self-esteem and promoting a positive approach to learning and personal development.

Audience

11th Grade Students

Time

20 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion and reflective activities.

Materials

Growth Mindset Plan, Mindset Shift Reading, and Reflecting on Growth

Prep

Preparation and Review

5 minutes

Review the Growth Mindset Plan to ensure familiarity with key concepts.
Preview the Mindset Shift Reading material to grab key examples for discussion.
Check the Reflecting on Growth cool-down activity to prepare questions and prompts for student reflection.

Step 1

Introduction and Discussion

5 minutes

Begin with a brief introduction on the difference between fixed and growth mindsets.
Ask students to share examples of when they learned from a challenge.
Highlight the significance of the phrase 'not yet' as a tool for growth.

Step 2

Main Activity - Mindset Reflection

7 minutes

Distribute or display key points from the Mindset Shift Reading and encourage students to reflect on personal challenges.
Facilitate a group discussion about how effort and persistence can lead to improvement.
Use guiding questions to help students make connections between academic challenges and personal growth.

Step 3

Cool-down - Reflecting on Growth

3 minutes

Wrap up with the Reflecting on Growth cool-down activity.
Invite students to jot down one area they can improve by adopting a 'growth mindset.'
Encourage sharing insights to reinforce a supportive classroom community.

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Reading

Mindset Shift Reading

In this reading, we explore the key differences between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset. A fixed mindset is when you believe that your abilities and intelligence are static and unchangeable. In contrast, a growth mindset is the belief that with effort, practice, and dedication, your abilities can improve over time.

Fixed Mindset vs. Growth Mindset

Fixed Mindset:
- Believes talent and intelligence are innate traits that cannot be changed.
- Avoids challenges, fearing failure and embarrassment.
- Gives up easily when faced with obstacles.
Growth Mindset:
- Believes that abilities can be developed through hard work and learning.
- Embraces challenges as opportunities to grow.
- Persists in the face of setbacks and uses criticism as a learning tool.

Real-life Examples and Inspirational Quotes

Consider the story of a famous athlete who, after a significant loss, dedicated himself to rigorous training and eventually became much more successful. His journey demonstrates that perseverance and dedication are key ingredients to personal improvement. Similarly, many scientists and inventors faced numerous failures before reaching success in their fields.

"I can't do it... not yet." is a powerful phrase to remember. It signifies that while you may not have mastered something right now, with effort and perseverance, improvement is possible.

As you read this material, think about a time when you struggled with a challenge. How might adopting a growth mindset have helped you overcome that obstacle?

Cool Down

Reflecting on Growth

As we wrap up our session on developing a growth mindset, take a few moments to reflect on your own journey. Use the prompts below to guide your thoughts and jot down your reflections. Your goal is to identify one area where you can adopt the energy of 'not yet' and transform challenges into opportunities for growth.

Prompt 1: Reflect on a Recent Challenge

Think about a challenge you faced recently. How did you handle it? What did you learn from that experience? Consider what you could do differently next time with a growth mindset.

Prompt 2: Identify an Area for Growth

What is one area in your academic or personal life where you feel you have room to grow? Write down one specific goal that embraces the idea of "not yet" – a goal you can work toward with continued effort and learning.

Sharing Insights (Optional)

If you're comfortable, share your reflection with a peer or in a small group and discuss how a growth mindset can transform challenges into stepping stones. How can your experiences support others in your class?

Remember: Every setback is just a setup for a comeback. Embrace the power of 'not yet' and trust that with time, effort, and persistence, you will grow and excel.