Your Brain's Superpower: Embracing a Growth Mindset

Patty Ciampi

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Your Brain's Superpower: Embracing a Growth Mindset

Students will be able to distinguish between a fixed and growth mindset and apply growth mindset principles to a personal challenge.

Understanding and embracing a growth mindset can empower students to view challenges as opportunities for learning and development, rather than insurmountable obstacles. This skill is crucial for academic success, personal resilience, and overall well-being.

Audience

High School Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, direct instruction, and practical application.

Materials

Mindset Matters Slides, Mindset Quiz, and "Yet" Statement Practice Worksheet

Prep

Teacher Preparation

10 minutes

Review the Mindset Matters Slides to familiarize yourself with the content.
Print copies of the "Yet" Statement Practice Worksheet for each student.
Familiarize yourself with the Mindset Quiz questions and answers.
Ensure projector/display is set up for the slide deck.

Step 1

Connect & Hook: What's Your Brain's Deal?

5 minutes

Display Slide 1: "Your Brain's Superpower: Embracing a Growth Mindset"
Teacher Script: "Hey everyone! Ever feel like you're 'just not good at something,' or that a challenge is impossible? Today, we're going to explore a secret weapon your brain has – a superpower that can change how you tackle those moments. It's all about how you think about your abilities. Let's dive in!"
Discussion Prompt: "Think about something you found really hard, maybe even thought you couldn't do. What was that feeling like? How did you talk to yourself about it? Turn and talk to a partner for about one minute." (Allow students to share briefly)
Display Slide 2: "Fixed vs. Growth: What's the Difference?"

Step 2

Introduce & Model: Mindset Matters

10 minutes

Teacher Script: "There are two main ways we can think about our abilities: a 'fixed mindset' and a 'growth mindset.' Someone with a fixed mindset believes their intelligence and talents are set in stone – you're either good at something or you're not. On the other hand, a growth mindset believes that your abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work. Your brain is like a muscle – the more you challenge it, the stronger it gets! This concept is called neuroplasticity – our brains can actually change and grow!"
Display Slide 3: "Fixed Mindset: 'I can't do it!'"
Teacher Script: "Let's look at some examples. A fixed mindset might sound like: 'I'm not smart enough for this math problem.' or 'I'll never be good at public speaking.' Notice the finality? It shuts down effort."
Display Slide 4: "Growth Mindset: 'I can't do it... yet!'"
Teacher Script: "Now, a growth mindset transforms those thoughts: 'This math problem is tough, but I can try different strategies.' or 'Public speaking is hard, but I can practice and improve.' The key word here is 'yet'! It opens the door to possibility. Let's practice transforming fixed mindset statements into growth mindset statements together. For example, if someone says, 'I'm bad at drawing,' a growth mindset response would be, 'I'm bad at drawing yet, but I can learn techniques and practice.'"
Display Slide 5: "Neuroplasticity: Your Brain Can Grow!"
Teacher Script: "This isn't just wishful thinking! Science shows us our brains are incredible. When you learn new things or try new approaches, your brain actually forms new connections. That's neuroplasticity! It means you can get better at things you once struggled with, if you put in the effort and try different strategies."
Distribute the "Yet" Statement Practice Worksheet.

Step 3

Practice & Apply: The Power of 'Yet'

10 minutes

Display Slide 6: "Practice Time: The Power of 'Yet'"
Teacher Script: "Now it's your turn! Take out the "Yet" Statement Practice Worksheet. I want you to read each fixed mindset statement and transform it into a growth mindset statement by adding 'yet' and explaining what action you could take. You'll also identify a personal challenge and write a growth mindset approach to it. You have about 7 minutes to work on this independently." (Circulate and provide support)
Teacher Script (after 7 minutes): "Alright, let's bring it back together. Who would like to share one of their transformed 'yet' statements, or their growth mindset approach to a personal challenge?" (Facilitate sharing and discussion, reinforcing the concepts).

Step 4

Share & Reflect: Mindset Check-In

5 minutes

Display Slide 7: "Mindset Check-In & Quiz"
Teacher Script: "Great job everyone! To wrap things up and see what stuck, we're going to do a quick mindset check-in. Please complete the Mindset Quiz individually. This isn't for a grade, but to help you reflect on your understanding."
Distribute the Mindset Quiz. (Allow students 3-4 minutes to complete it).
Teacher Script: "As you leave today, remember the power of 'yet.' Your brain is truly amazing and capable of so much growth. Keep challenging yourselves!"

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Slide Deck

Your Brain's Superpower: Embracing a Growth Mindset

What if you could make your brain stronger?

What if challenges were actually opportunities?

Welcome students and set an exciting tone. Explain that today's lesson is about discovering a 'brain superpower.' Engage them with a relatable question.

Fixed vs. Growth: What's the Difference?

Fixed Mindset

Belief that intelligence and abilities are unchangeable.
Challenges are avoided.
Effort is seen as pointless if you're 'not good enough.'

Growth Mindset

Belief that intelligence and abilities can grow with effort and strategy.
Challenges are embraced.
Effort leads to mastery and learning.

Introduce the core concept of fixed vs. growth mindset. Emphasize that these are ways of thinking about intelligence and talent. Briefly mention neuroplasticity as the scientific basis.

Fixed Mindset: "I can't do it!"

Common Fixed Mindset Statements:

"I'm just not a math person."
"I'll never be good at public speaking."
"Why bother trying? I'll probably fail."
"This is too hard for me."

Provide clear examples of fixed mindset thinking. Ask students if they've heard or thought similar things.

Growth Mindset: "I can't do it... yet!"

Transform Your Thinking!

"I'm not a math person... yet! I can learn new strategies."
"I'll never be good at public speaking... yet! I can practice and improve."
"This is too hard for me... yet! What can I try differently?"

The magic word is 'YET'!

Introduce the 'power of yet' and show how to transform fixed statements into growth ones. Connect this directly to the idea of learning and improvement.

Neuroplasticity: Your Brain Can Grow!

The Science Behind Growth Mindset

Your brain is like a muscle!
When you learn new things, practice, or try different strategies, your brain forms new connections.
This ability for your brain to change and adapt is called Neuroplasticity.
It means you can get smarter and better!

Explain neuroplasticity in simple terms, reinforcing that the brain can physically change and grow. This provides a scientific foundation for the growth mindset.

Practice Time: The Power of "Yet"

Worksheet Activity

Transform fixed mindset statements using "yet."
Identify a personal challenge.
Develop a growth mindset approach to that challenge.

(Work on your "Yet" Statement Practice Worksheet!)

Transition to the activity. Explain the worksheet and the task. Remind students to think about a personal challenge.

Mindset Check-In & Reflection

Reflect on Your Mindset

How can you apply a growth mindset to your studies?
How can you apply it to your personal life?

Remember: Your brain is amazing. Keep growing!

(Complete the Mindset Quiz)

Conclude the lesson by reinforcing the main message. Explain the quiz is for reflection, not a grade. Encourage continued growth mindset thinking.

Quiz

Mindset Quiz

Worksheet

"Yet" Statement Practice: Grow Your Brain!

Instructions: For each fixed mindset statement below, rewrite it as a growth mindset statement by adding the word "yet" and describing a specific action you could take to improve or overcome the challenge. Then, identify a personal challenge and outline a growth mindset approach to it.

Part 1: Transform Your Thinking with "Yet"

Fixed Mindset: "I'm just not good at writing."
Growth Mindset (with action):
Fixed Mindset: "This math problem is impossible; I'll never get it."
Growth Mindset (with action):
Fixed Mindset: "I made a mistake, so I'm clearly not smart enough."
Growth Mindset (with action):
Fixed Mindset: "I don't like trying new things because I might fail."
Growth Mindset (with action):

Part 2: Your Personal Growth Challenge

Think about a specific challenge you are currently facing, either in school, with a hobby, or in your personal life. It could be something you feel you're not good at, or a difficult task.

My Challenge:
My Growth Mindset Approach: How will you approach this challenge using growth mindset principles? What specific actions or strategies will you try? Remember to use the power of "yet" if applicable!