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One of the most important challenges teachers face in the classroom, in fact, is not teaching new concepts (although, that is a challenge in itself). Instead, their students’ beliefs in their abilities to learn new concepts. Students’ mindsets can play a big role in how they approach learning, and one of the biggest lessons teachers can teach their students is to develop a growth mindset.
The concept of growth mindset is well known in academic circles, thanks in large part to the work of Carol Dweck. It is defined as the belief that one’s abilities and intelligence can be improved through hard work, dedication, and the right strategies. Encouraging students to develop a growth mindset can help them ultimately, learn from their mistakes, and strive for improvement.
So, how can teachers help students believe they can succeed? Here are 5 ideas for growth mindset activities that teachers can use in their lessons to teach students about grit, resilience, and adaptability.
5 Growth Mindset Teaching Ideas
Check out these engaging and impactful ideas to help students develop and nurture a growth mindset.
1. Help students reframe their thinking
The “power in the moment” principle encourages students to view their abilities as ongoing activities, rather than set in stone. During the class, help students identify limiting thoughts of the fixed mind and give them practice reframing those thoughts to reflect a growth mindset. For example, when a student says, “I’m just not good at math,” the teacher might reframe it as, “You’re not good at it yet, but with practice, you can improve.” Practicing redesign is an effective way to help students realize that even if they haven’t achieved something, they can with time and effort.
Show Power However | Classroom Posters | Brain Growth Bulletin Board
By Miss McRaes Teaching Tales – Beka McRae
Grades: Any
Growth Mindset, Metacognition Strategies & Power of Yet BUNDLE for Middle School
With Diversity in Mind and Abena
Grades: 5-10
Growth Versus Fixed Mindsets | Growth Mindset Cards | Conditions
Written by Queen’s Educational Resources
Grades: 5-12
2. Make failure a part of the learning process
Students should feel safe to take intellectual risks without fear of judgment or embarrassment. To foster this type of environment, teachers can help students see mistakes as part of the learning journey and an opportunity for growth, rather than shame. One way to do this is to focus the lesson on people who were strong and overcame failure, to give students real examples of what can be achieved in the face of adversity.
A Course in Mental Growth – Famous Failures
By Rigorous Resources by Lisa
Grades: 4-12
Growth Mindset Famous Failures – A Study Guide for Founders
It is a small but powerful teacher
Grades: 4-12
3. Encourage resilience through writing
Journaling can be an excellent tool to encourage cognitive development in students for many reasons. In particular, it encourages students to actively process their knowledge, helps students track their progress, and emphasizes the idea that learning and personal growth are continuous processes. For example, teachers can have students do a daily or weekly reflection, answering prompts such as: “How have I improved in an area where I struggled before?” or “What mistake did I make that helped me learn something new?” or “How have my efforts contributed to some of my accomplishments?”
Journal of Cognitive Development | Mindfulness Activities | SEL worksheets
For Design Education
Grades: 3-5
Statistical Growth Mindset | 5 Day Interactive Unit | Student Journal | No Preparation | BOY
By getting Techy Wit’ It
Grades: 3-8
Growth Mindset Bell Ringer Journal for the Year: Back to School (EDIT)
He is the Great Master
Grades: 6-12
4. Teach students how to give and receive positive feedback
Feedback plays an important role in promoting a growth mindset, as it helps students focus their efforts on what they need to work on in order to improve and take concrete steps towards growth. By practicing giving and receiving positive feedback, students can learn that criticism is an opportunity for improvement, not an expression of their innate abilities.
Accepting Feedback | Growth Mindset Series 6 by Eve Coates
Written by Eve Coates
Grades: 1-4
5. Set learning goals, not just performance goals
By setting learning goals, teachers can encourage students to focus on mastering new skills – rather than just getting good grades. Ultimately, goal-setting activities can help students to guide themselves into strong individuals with the creativity and perseverance to pursue and achieve their goals. Check out these two blog posts for everything you’ll need to teach these skills to students:
Looking for more lesson ideas or classroom activities to encourage brain development? There is much more available on TPT.
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