Growth mindset is not a foreign concept. It has been around for quite a while. This post is meant as more of a reminder, or refresher, if you need a little motivation to start or continue growth mindset in your classroom.
What is it?
Growth mindset is the tenacity to have a more positive mindset, more specifically, in the classroom (at least for this post!).
Dr. Carol Dweck coined the term ‘growth mindset' and said:
“If students believe they can get smarter and understand that effort makes them stronger, then putting in time and effort will lead to achievement.” Read more here.
Two words are glaring at me from that quote: believe and understand
How do we get the students to believe and understand, and how can we show growth mindset in the classroom?
1. Students have to set realistically achievable goals.
Setting realistic goals is ultimately important for your students. High achieving students will feel a sense of dedicated purpose, and low achieving students will hopefully feel like they can be successful.
Closing the achievement gap is super important BUT remember that your students need to continue to stick with their goals and closing gaps OR their term results for achievement may fizzle out.
2. Shift students attention to importance of learning.
This is a direct call back to Dr. Dweck stating that time and effort are necessary in order for growth mindset to work. The teacher, as well as the students, NEED to open their mind so it can challenge itself. Saying no and building proverbial walls just won't do!
3. Create a classroom community that works!
In my classroom, we share out often. Students need to try sharing their strategies more often. The teacher needs to practice talking ‘less' … and believe me, I know that is hard! Students also need to be less for fearful of asking for help.
4. Praise your students {positively}
- Bulletin Boards or Decor
- Posters
- Interactive Journals or Notebooks
- Community Building Activities
- Games
- Reading Books and Responding
- School Wide Community Initiatives
- Coloring Sheets
- Lesson Plans
- Bell Ringers
Want one of my Southern Growth Mindset Posters: Click here to grab it!
11 Responses
I love everything about this! I am adding this to my cart!! Your creativity is appreciated!!!
Love the Dweck quote- she's one of my favorites. I've been wanting to purchase her book about growth mindset!
I've being using growth mindset for the past few years and I love it!!!! Our district introduced it to us to use with just the G/T kids, but I used it with all of my students. Everyone can benefit from a change of a fixed mindset that a growth mindset…including myself! đź’•
Hi! Love the refresher! Have you heard of "the power of YET"? It's really stuck with me. When a kid says they can do something, you remind them that them-yet! But they will!!!
Love this post! Some great reminders about keeping a growth mindset in the classroom! Thank you 🙂
These are great tips for helping students develop a growth mindset. My students are so much more willing to try challenges when they know it's okay if they don't get it right the first time. I make it a point to praise them for effort more than the end result.
Great ideas!
I love the concept of the realistically achievable goals! It helps students see that progress right before them!
Great blog post, love these ideas especially the posters.
I absolutely love Growth Mindset! I've noticed a very positive difference with my students since introducing it. Thank you for the new ideas!
I love Growth Mindset. I’ve been teaching Growth Mindset to my students for a few years. I’m committed to helping my students learn the “power of yet” in life. I wish my teachers had taught me that failures make you smarter. I was always afraid of failure as a student, which stopped me from taking risks that could have been beneficial in the grand scheme of things! Thanks for stressing the importance of potential and possibilities over innate ability!