Growth Mindset
There is Power in Yet
The purpose of a growth mindset is to equip individuals with mental toughness and tenacity to achieve goals. Research proves growth mindsets empower and motivate student's critical thinking and foster development. This culture of stretching oneself develops skills overtime as students are encouraged to fail forward. Students who are intentional about implementing a growth mindset benefit inside and outside the classroom. Minority populations and students with negative stereotypes have utilized the growth mindset as a tool to overcome life's changes and narrow achievement gaps. Making a choice to confront difficult setbacks, challenges, fears, and criticism with a growth mindset gives students new positive perspectives. Acknowledging adequate effort, concentration and planning for achievement is a tool for success. I believe Carol Dweck's growth mindset helps students gather real ingredients to learn how to learn no matter the level of skill. Her research further reveals that those who have a growth mindset continue to grow and thrive while those of a fixed mindset limit themselves to current skill capacity and what is already known. The presence of a fixed mindset doesn't allow the process of becoming because it promotes none learning. Individuals who understand the benefits of a growth mindset enhance their confidence and motivation. This growth culture fosters lasting intrinsic self-empowerment for future college and career readiness.
The Importance of a Growth Mindset
Teaching students how to be successful begins with a mindset that enforces hard work and dedication. Achievement is a matter of the mind. If you believe you can achieve, you can. If you don't believe you can achieve, you won't. The growth mindset practice embraces challenges and mistakes with the understanding that with adequate effort and time, I will improve and progress to achievement. Mindset, a book by influential author Carol Dweck presents a perfect example of growth mindset practice as she utilized an excerpt from the film "The Right Stuff." "There is no such thing as a natural born pilot. Becoming a proficient pilot was hard work, really a lifetimes' learning experiences. The best pilots fly more than others; that's why they're the best." This statement ensures effort and hard work equals achievement. (Dweck 2016) As I introduce new and challenging curriculum to my middle school students, the growth mindset will support their personal goal setting and skill growth. Students will participate in routine reflective mindset readings, feedback, action plans and universal design learning opportunities along the growth mindset journey. The language and actions of all students will ignite the power of yet. I don't know the answer, will transform into I don't know the answer yet. I'm not good at this will transform into I'm not good at this yet. By teaching an organized method of perseverance, students will build character that welcomes learning opportunities and habits that are useful in every stage of life. This includes students' college and career future.
Embracing the Growth Mindset
Change begins with the way you think and speak
TIPS for Parents
Lead by Example
- Commit to changing your mindset and approaching your problems with a growth mindset.
- Give students an opportunity to make mistakes
- Students need an opportunity to develop their own learning strategies and coping tools
- Give students permission to fail forward
- Students need to be reassured that making mistakes is a part of the learning process
- Change your vocabulary
- The word students choose are indicators of what they believe. Reinforce growth mindset language.
- Don't focus on mistakes, setbacks, or delayed achievement. Help students focus on the next steps that can be taken to improve their learning and skills. Committing to adequate time management, learning strategies, and effort ignites the power of Yet. I don't have the answer, yet!
The Message of Yet!
I challenge all stakeholders to embrace the Power of "YET". As I foster growth mindset thinking and develop a class culture that supports growth mindset, students take ownership of their learning. Research proves incorporating a growth mindset will equip students with tools that activate their mental toughness resulting in higher achievement than previous educational experiences. When students face difficult or challenging task, the power of "YET "will be enforced to support and communicate intrinsic motivation within each student. Students will be encouraged to add the word YET after I can't, I don't know, I'm not good. Overtime, language, and actions will align to the growth mindset.
Communicating the power of Yet will consist of weekly small group activities that reinforce growth mindset, anchor chart poster references, small group discussions, reading reflections, routine feedback, skits, and writing reflections. Daily I will be transparent about my personal growth mindset as I incorporate and model the 2020-2021 growth mindset implementation plan. Phase 1-3 will communicate the power of Yet year round through benchmark reflections, teacher-student feedback, action planning, and achievement reflections. I encourage all stakeholders to embrace the growth mindset and the power of Yet.
2020-2021 Growth Mindset Implementation Plan
Phase 1 Understanding the process
Week 1-2 students will engage in lesson activities that explain what the growth mindset is and how it benefits the learner. Students will assess their mindset through a digital Mindset Quiz. Students will complete a reflection describing their results.
Parents will receive digital and carbon literature explaining the growth mindset and how it can contribute to their student's success.
Students will set academic goals for the year and incorporate action plans that include growth mindset thinking, actions, learning strategies, and time commitment.
Students will be given the 1st scheduled benchmark of 10 with the purpose of capturing skill level or capacity starting point.
Phase 2 The Growth Mindset Journey
Students will engage in inquiry-based activities that challenge their critical thinking.
Students will utilize the implementation model of the growth mindset to grow in knowledge and learn daily.
Students will participate in scheduled benchmarks that monitor and reveal skill level and progress in learning.
Students will reflect on data and incorporate the power of yet! Students will assess and document their mastery of objective skills. Tracking mastery will allow students will identify the next actions that should be taken as each ignites the power of yet action plan.
Students will reflect and complete a growth mindset thinking map to brainstorm strategies that will contribute to learning how to learn.
-Attend tutorial: I will attend tutorials ___ times a week
-Watch digital supports and reinforces: I will watch a digital overview___ times before I begin my homework.
-Read additional resources outside of teacher assigned activities: I will read ___additional resources to support my learning process.
Students will receive feedback, and commitment to their action plan.
Phase 3 Taking action and Acknowledging Achievement
Students will reflect on feedback, and commitment to a growth mindset action plan.
Students will recognize and acknowledge skill and capacity growth.
Students will build repertoire of approached to learn and improve
Students will understand the importance of time and adequate practice
Students will create the character, heart and mind for mental toughness to overcome any challenge or setback.
Students will continue learn and seek resources to improve their learning.
Growth Mindset Resources
Mindset Assessment -monitors the current mindset
Action plan mapping - organizes students' thoughts as students determine what actions will support their learning how to learn
Goal setting- monitors and acknowledges student academic growth and capacity
Books - ongoing reinforcement that speaks to the fixed mindset and ignites the growth mindset
Website articles - Expands the knowledge and understanding of a growth mindset as each student is expect to ( Edutopia )
Journal Reflections -students record their process and how achievement was attained.
Videos - provide additional exposure and understanding of the growth mindset
-Belief is Key - Developing a Growth Mindset
Podcast -fosters growth mindset thinking and reinforces practical knowledge that communicates positive
Influence for Future Projects
#TheDigitalLearner
Developing a growth mindset has fueled my motivation to embrace challenges that stretch my abilities and potential in educational technology. I have taken on a new perspective that strives to focus on the learning and understanding of tools and resources within the learning process. I now ensure learning is taking place verse giving up when difficulties arise. As my confidence increases my fear decrease. Knowing that my success is a choice, I can help myself become more intentional about the effort and time I put into learning. The best weapon to defeat my future fears is Yet. This three letter word has changed my thoughts of defeat into victory. Attaining a growth mindset will help guide me to greater self achievement and potential.
References
Byblow,Carson[TEDxYouth@AASSofia](2018,April 11).The mind of a champion[Video]Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=px9CzSZsa0Y
Dweck, C.(2016).Mindset.RandomHouse.
Dweck, C.[Stanford Alumni](October 9,2014). Developing a
growth mindset[Video] Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiiEeMN7vbQ&feature=youtu.be
Dweck, C.(2015, September 22). Carol Dweck Revisits the "Growth Mindset" Education Week. https://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2015/09/23/carol-dweck-revisits-the-growth-mindset.html
Khan Academy. (2014,August19).The Growth Mindset[video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wh0OS4MrN3E&feature=youtu.be
Moore, C. (2018, November 28). Five ways to teach students to be learning cantered, too Faculty Focus. https://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-and-learning/five-ways-to-teach-students-to-be-learning-centered-too/
TEDxTalks. (2012, November 18). The Power of Belief - mindset and success. [Video] Youtube. https://luonline.blackboard.com/webapps/blackboard/content/listContent.jsp?course_id=_160299_1&content_id=_4605744_1
Sesame Street.(2014,September 10). Janelle Monae - Power of Yet[Video]Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLeUvZvuvAs