Integrating Growth Mindset Throughout Our Instructional Day

Growth mindset is one of my favorite things that has come out in recent years, along with the science of reading.   I have a firm belief that if we use best teaching practices and support our students' development of grit and fortitude, they will become very resilient readers.

As teachers, we traditionally talk about it in the beginning of the school year or in January for New Year's Resolutions.  We create goals, we post them, and maybe at the end of the year, we'll evaluate our progression towards achieving them.  That's a good start . . . but our students need more.

In order to really develop a growth mindset, it needs to be ingrained in all our directions, instruction, conversations, and activities.  And it can be done without heaping more work our over-burdened selves.

1.  Daily Class Conversations or Morning Meeting

• Practice growth mindset scenarios that are actually happening in the classroom:  "We're taking test this week.  How do we prepare ourselves mentally before we take the test?  How do we prepare ourselves for after taking the test?"
• Point out a student's actions as evidence of a growth mindset -- it's really the best compliment we can give our students:  "I really like how you worked hard and focused during the independent activity."  Or, "That's great that you were able to use another tool or material, I can see that you're flexible." 
• Posters and charts in our room reflect this culture of growth mindset, and can be referred to throughout the year.
  

2.  Literature & Informational Text

Books are full of examples and non-examples of growth mindset.  Simply asking during a read aloud, "Is the character, so far, showing a growth mindset?  Show me the evidence" is a great way to remind students that growth mindset is all around us.  Moreover, when students engage in writing about content, it supports student reading comprehension. 

• Character analysis:  Does the character show a growth mindset in solving the problem?  Does the character learn a lesson that involves growth mindset?  
• Theme:  Does the theme of the story connect to our growth mindset words?
• Historical figures:  How did this historical figure show a growth mindset throughout his/her challenges?
  

 

3.  Vocabulary Instruction

This one is a win-win: supporting growth mindset AND vocabulary instruction and development.

• Select a growth mindset word for the week.  Talk about it's definition and discuss examples and non-examples.  Many of the non-examples may include some of the actions or behaviors of the students  . . . hint, hint, lol. 
  

I really like using word banks with my students because it exposes them to lots of new words, that allows them to develop a greater breadth of vocabulary.

If you're interested in developing a culture of growth mindset in your classroom or small group, this product will help you level up! 

 

 

 

I would love to know how you're integrating growth mindset throughout your day!  Be sure to DM on Instagram @workshopclassroom.