• Home
  • Free Gifts
  • Courses
  • Books
  • Login

BeingTeacher logo

HomeGiftsCourseRead

You deserve to be happier!

Get more joy and have less stress every day. Get your free "Four Happy Teacher Habits!" download and get started now.

You are here: Home / Freebie Included / Four Steps to Teaching the Growth Mindset

Four Steps to Teaching the Growth Mindset

June 9, 2016 by Brooke Hamby

img_1103

Have you ever been beyond excited about a new strategy you wanted to teach your students?

Last year, I bought and borrowed everything I could find about applying a growth mindset in the classroom. I devoured two books on the subject. But I was disappointed to find that they were narrative-heavy and resource-light. My 250 pages of reading left me with maybe 4 pages that would be truly useful in training my kids towards a growth mindset.

You don’t have to do that though. All that reading taught me enough to create this simple 4-step formula. Follow it and use these resource links, and you’ll be on your way.

Step 1. CHALLENGE. Show a video about famous failures. Engage the kids in a discussion about their own failures, either with partners or as a whole. Ask questions such as, “What did you learn from your failure? What would you aspire to do if you weren’t afraid of failing? When have you given up too easily?”

 

img_1102Step 2. MOTIVATE. Students need to read this kid-friendly research about a growth mindset. Telling children they can grow their brains isn’t enough. Use the article in small group or in centers. Provide a read aloud or choral read to those who need the extra support.

Step 3. IMAGINE. Ask higher order thinking questions to accompany the text. Why do you think? How can make your brain grow? What are some things you can do this week that will grow your brain?

Step 4. REINFORCE. This step is likely the most challenging in that it requires consistency. You must commit to it. Every. Single. Day. There are tons of wonderful resources to help you reinforce a growth mindset: posters & PowerPoint lessons & centers. One of my favorites of these is the “Yet” poster, which uses a subtle change in language to reinforce the growth mindset: “I don’t know. . .yet.” Look through these similar posters to find one you connect with.

Teaching a growth mindset in your classroom is easy–changing fixed mindset habits requires a growth mindset on your part. You’ll need dedication and consistency, but I know you can achieve it.

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Google
  • Email

Filed Under: Freebie Included, Growth Mindset, Teaching Strategies

Welcome

“Being Teacher” helps you discover and realize your fullest potential in the sacred art of teaching.

Learn More

Categories

  • Freebie Included (11)
  • General (5)
  • Growth Mindset (13)
  • Inspiration for Teachers (58)
  • Lesson Ideas (20)
  • Motivating Students (25)
  • Realistic Tools for Happiness (25)
  • Realistic Tools for Saving Time (10)
  • Teaching Strategies (19)
  • To the Teacher… (8)

Most Recent Posts

  • How to Make Overwhelm Eat Your Dust
  • The True Measure of Success–Kid Style
  • Top 5 Ways to Deal With Change
  • How to Be the Perfect Teacher
  • 3 Things You Should Know About Neurodiversity

Copyright © 2018 · Being Teacher

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.