Teaching students about "Growth Mindset" at the beginning of the year is a wonderful way to set students up for a successful year of tackling challenges and growing as a community of learners. Growth Mindset, as described by author Carol S. Dwek, is the belief that rather than being born with innate abilities that are fixed, humans all have the potential to train their abilities. Growth Mindset teaches that our intelligence, creativity, and athleticism are not fixed and inborn traits, but rather learned skills that can be improved through perseverance, effort, taking on new challenges, and learning from mistakes. Teaching students that their brains are capable of growing allows them to feel empowered. Carol S. Dweck says, "Failure is information, we label it failure, but it's more like, 'This didn't work, I'm a problem solver, and I'll try something else.'" By allowing students to understand that failure and making mistakes are a vital part of the learning process and 'growing your brain', they will be more confident to take risks and tackle new challenges. As Dweck says, Students will learn to "love challenges, be intrigued by mistakes, enjoy effort, and keep on learning.”
Teachers may wish to read a book, watch videos, or use other instructional materials that teach about the concept of Growth Mindset. After discussing the concept, students will make a T-Chart comparing the attributes and differences of a "Fixed Mindset" vs. a "Growth Mindset".
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Explain the difference between Growth Mindset and Fixed Mindset.
Student Instructions:
Requirements: Four different examples of a Fixed Mindset vs. a Growth Mindset using illustrations and writing that clearly convey each.
Use positive, growth-oriented phrases when giving feedback and guiding discussions. Model language that emphasizes effort, strategies, and learning from mistakes to help students internalize growth mindset beliefs.
Recognize students for the hard work and creative problem-solving they display, not just correct answers. This reinforces the idea that improvement comes from effort, not just natural ability.
Celebrate mistakes by discussing them openly and reflecting together. Show students that errors are a natural part of learning and an opportunity to grow their brains.
Guide students to set personal learning goals and check in on their progress. Reflection helps students see growth over time and builds resilience when facing challenges.
Bring in real-life examples of people who achieved success through perseverance. Discuss how they overcame obstacles and what strategies they used to reinforce the power of a growth mindset.
A growth mindset means believing you can improve your abilities through effort, learning, and trying new things. It helps students see mistakes as chances to grow and become stronger learners.
To teach growth mindset to middle schoolers, discuss how effort, persistence, and learning from mistakes help us improve. Use activities like T-Charts to compare fixed and growth mindsets, share stories, and encourage students to reflect on their own learning journeys.
Fixed mindset examples: giving up after mistakes, saying "I'm just bad at math." Growth mindset examples: persevering through tough problems, saying "I can get better with practice." Using real-life classroom scenarios helps students spot the difference.
Teaching growth mindset early builds a positive classroom culture. It encourages students to embrace challenges, learn from errors, and support one another, setting them up for a year of confidence and growth.
Effective activities include T-Chart comparisons of mindsets, storytelling about famous failures, growth mindset journaling, and group discussions. Visual aids and creative assignments help students internalize the concept.