The Importance of Growth vs. Fixed Mindset
in the Classroom
Keeping a child's mind open for possibilities is essential to their school success! A wonderful way to do this is through encouraging a Growth Mindset versus a Fixed Mindset. Beginning in Kindergarten through 5th grade during this guidance theme we read books, share videos and do fun activities to challenge our students to push through the temptation to give up and to persevere even when experiencing failure.
There are many ways to teach and talk about a growth mindset, below are some tools we use in the classroom, that can easily be used at home, too.
There are many ways to teach and talk about a growth mindset, below are some tools we use in the classroom, that can easily be used at home, too.
5th Grade Growth Mindset Escape Room!!
This challenge was a success!! Each and every student was engaged and so proud of the goals they accomplished along the way. After searching high and low, I found this gem of a lesson at "Melissa's Teacher Mall" on Teacher's Pay Teachers (TpT). This pack includes all the pieces that need to be printed, then organized in the most logical way for the host. I found that manilla envelopes of various sizes and labeling them clearly helped me stay sane during these events. I did this in all 5th grade classrooms, so that means 14 different escape rooms... and with this amazing template and set-up, was able to execute it seamlessly. The treasure chest you see included a brain-shaped fidget so students could literally "free the brain" and give it a squeeze before being bestowed their 2 pieces to prove completion:
- The bookmark from the purchased pack on card stock
- Small brain erasers (found here on Oriental Trading's website)
These prizes are reminders to keep working through the struggle. Mistakes will be made - the key is to remember to learn from those mistakes in order to continue learning and growing!
Books
Bubble Gum Brain by: Julia Cook
Beautiful Oops! by: Barney Saltzberg
A Perfectly Messed-Up Story by: Patrick McDonnell
Invisible Boy by: Trudy Ludwig
Fantastic Elastic Brain by: JoAnn Deak
Weird from the Series by: Erin Frankle
Beautiful Oops! by: Barney Saltzberg
A Perfectly Messed-Up Story by: Patrick McDonnell
Invisible Boy by: Trudy Ludwig
Fantastic Elastic Brain by: JoAnn Deak
Weird from the Series by: Erin Frankle
Videos
|
An awesome reminder from Khan Academy that with really hard work ~ YOU CAN LEARN ANYTHING. |
|
|
|
Our friend, Ormie the Pig, showing us that we can keep trying, trying, trying, trying, trying & trying.......... to reach our goals! |
|
A message from Ned the Neuron about the brain and how it works to allow us to learn anything we want by growing and stretching it by taking on hard challenges. |
|