a. Surprised you?2. Can you think of a time you faced an important opportunity or challenge with a fixed mindset? What were your thoughts and worries--about your abilities? about other people's judgments? about the possibility of failure? Describe them.
b. Made you feel uncomfortable?
c. Did you agree/disagree with?
*Join the discussion by providing your thoughts in the comments box below and adding feedback to the thoughts of two other participants.
1.
ReplyDeletea) What surprised me was how little I’ve considered whether intelligence is developed vs. innate. I guess as an educator I have to lean toward a growth mindset, but there are so many factors that play into which one we are, and many of them are out of our control. So I guess, what surprised me as well is how confusing it is to determine where intelligence comes from.
b) It made me feel uncomfortable to think of times when I’ve been like Mrs. Wilson and assumed certain students can’t complete a task because of their IQ.
c) I agree with the part in which the author talks about fixed mindsets and their attitude about failure. I think that could be considered a trait of poverty. I see some of our students and parents who seem to be resigned to being below average and avoiding difficult things.
2. I would say that anything I try to repair or work on around the house, I approach with a fixed mindset. I have a history of epic failures in this area so my attitude reflects this. I do not, as of now anyway, approach each failure as a learning opportunity. Maybe in the future!
I agree with you that a fixed mindset seems to be a trait of poverty. It creates a self-fulfilling prophecy- if people in poverty think of themselves as being worse-off than others, they probably won't try as hard to make a better life for themselves, which then contributes to them being worse-off than others. I think we need to help our students break out of this cycle and help them see their abilities through a growth mindset.
DeleteI have a student from a low-income household whose behavior/attitude are a barrier to his success. I've had conversations with him about how he is in control of his future, that he can be successful, etc. The last time we had this conversation, he said he had no life (future) ahead of him, that nothing ever works out for him or his family. It makes me so sad that at 4th grade, he sees no successful future for himself. I hope that reading this book will give me some insight into helping kids like him move from that fixed mindset to a growth mindset, so that they might start to see new possibilities for themselves.
Delete1) a)As I was reading through chapter 1 of Mindsets the first thing that surprised me was I really had not thought about a different mindset being a possibility or that you could change your mindset. b)One thing that made me uncomfortable was Mrs. Wilson's attitude towards her students abilities based on their IQ. I found myself thinking back to if I had any teachers that were like Mrs. Wilson and asking myself have I ever been that way. c.As I continued to read about the differences between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset I realized that unfortunately I mostly fall into the fixed mindset category.
ReplyDelete2) There have been several times that I’ve faced an opportunity or challenge with a fixed mindset. I know I have a fixed mindset when it comes to math. When I was in college I had a math course that was a struggle for me which was a new experience because in high school academics came easy to me. Needless to say it was a blow to the ego at the time. This math course ended up being a battle for me and it felt like for every one step forward I’d take another step backwards which was frustrating. I did end up making it through the course but because I struggled with the course it left me feeling defeated and in a way like I had failed even though I hadn’t. So ever since that difficult course I’ve had a fixed mindset that math is my Achilles heel, it’s just not my thing and that I’m just not very good at higher level math. I’m hopeful that as we work through this book that I’ll be able to switch from a more fixed mindset to more of a growth mindset and apply it to future life experiences.
I had a similar experience with science classes. They did not come as easily to me as other classes did, so I felt as though I just was not meant to be good at science and could not change that fact. If I had seen my abilities through a growth mindset, I probably would have learned a lot more in my science classes, and would have enjoyed them more, as well.
DeleteMath! Oh how I did not like math. To this day it stresses me out. Luckily that is an area my own children excel in. It is hard to accept when something comes easily to others and not yourself. It makes me understand how the kids we work with each day get frustrated so easily. Like I said before, what works well for one student doesn't work for another. We have to learn how to help each student on their level of learning.
DeleteI too struggled with math, but it was one of my favorite subjects through school. I can remember working so hard in calculus in college, leaving the final just knowing I had just most likely failed that course(fixed mindset moment), but surprise, my hard work had paid off when I got the grade of c+, to me it was an A+. But I was so happy to never have to take another hard math class again.
DeleteThis is exactly what I was talking about in my post, the dreaded college algebra. Except I did not get lucky and had to retake the class. The first and only time I have ever had to do that. I felt awful and more embarrassed than I would like to admit. I am so glad that I didn't give up after that one semester and that I pushed forward or I definitely wouldn't be where I am at today!
DeleteAfter reading the first chapter I agree with the author’s assertion of a fixed mindset and a growth mindset. I think either mindset grows out of a person’s own self talk. I think nurture is important, but many times people that come from very negative environments learn to cultivate positivity and how to nurture themselves. But it’s not just about positive or negative thinking. There are some people that are very positive about themselves and their abilities and think they don’t need to grow and change, that’s a fixed mindset. A person can have fixed mindset that they know everything there is to know. It’s about making true and accurate assessments of strengths and weaknesses and then being open to growth or change.
ReplyDeleteI think everyone can sometimes put themselves in a fixed mindset by the things they think and pretty soon find themselves feeling blue about it. I have also noticed when I have a fixed mindset about something I tend to think or speak in superlatives, like “I never…” or “I always…” One thing I try to remember is that most people do not perform certain ways “always” or “never.”
I have approached things with a fixed mindset before. Right now I have had a fixed mindset about exercising. I have found myself saying things like, “I’ve never liked exercising.” This, however, isn’t true, for I like hiking and that’s exercising. I seem to believe that because I’ve never regularly worked out means I don’t like exercise and I will probably never successfully stay with a regular workout routine. Gosh, I just said “never” 3 times in this paragraph!
I really like the point you made about how someone can also have a fixed mindset by thinking that they have nothing more to learn or how they don't need to grow anymore. Also having a fixed mindset about exercising is all too easy to do. Sometimes it is hard to not think negatively about exercising and to constantly motivate one's self to follow an exercise routine. It helps if you can find things you enjoy doing for example how you said you enjoy hiking. Making it fun is key.
DeleteGreat point on the fixed mindset superlatives! I agree that accurate assessments of strengths and weaknesses and be willing to grow is important.
Delete1. One thing that surprised me as I read Chapter 1 was that this idea of mindset can apply to areas of life other than academics. When I started reading the chapter I felt as though I have a growth mindset, but I began to realize that there are some things in life that I approach with a fixed mindset. I felt uncomfortable about the thought of seeing students through the eyes of a fixed mindset. It made me contemplate the way that I view my students' ability to learn. I agree with the fact that some of our students see themselves as either smart or not-so-smart and that their attitude toward learning differs depending on how they think about themselves.
ReplyDelete2. I definitely have a fixed mindset when it comes to my artistic ability. When I was in school I never wanted to participate in anything that required me to draw, paint, etc, because I felt as though that was not an area in which I was strong and I couldn't change that. When we worked on group projects, I always tried to avoid having a role that required me to be artistic because I did not want my peers to see my work and think of me as being bad at something.
Past experience is another variable that can definitely have an impact on if we have a fixed mindset or growth mindset about something. It can make it hard to step outside of your comfort zone. I can relate to having a fixed mindset about group projects. There was a couple of times I would also avoid the role that I did not feel confident in and instead volunteer for a role that I knew I could do.
DeleteI agree with you Natalie. Art was not a strong point for me. Kind of like speaking out. I would always get in a group where someone was talkative because I never wanted to get up and speak in front of anyone. Fixed mindset is hard to overcome.
DeleteI am not good at art or public speaking. In college we had to do a lot of presentations and I would get really shaky and sound like I was going to cry, not something I would like to repeat.
DeleteI truly believe everyone has some artistic ability. It is at least 90 percent confidence! I have faith in you!
DeleteDefinitely with you on the art thing! I always made my sister do anything for me that needed to look extra artsy for school. Anytime I had a report or anything and I wanted it to look awesome on the cover, that was my sister's job.
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ReplyDelete1.) Reading Chapter one the thing that surprised me the most was just all the different views the kids had. I know each kid sees things differently but, for a child wanting a challenge that was awesome. I am the kind of person who is not always ready for a challenge. Change is always hard for me. B)I guess that is what would make me feel uncomfortable. I am not always ready for challenge. I love the fact that the first kid was ready. C)I agree that we all have different mind set. What works well for one person might not work well for the other. Something to work on is just to continually encourage the students you have. They are all different and learn in many different ways. In pre-school I am learning this everyday. One little boy is a challenge but, seeing him learn and excel is so rewarding!!!
ReplyDelete2.) I worry about what others think about me. Change is not something I enjoy. Failure crosses my mind and I don't want to be one of those people I think that is why I don't step out and try new things. Definitely something I need to work on.
I always worry about what people think of me too. Sometimes I wish I could be more like my husband, and not worry about that. But I am just softer that way I guess. Like he always says to me ....."what can they do, they can't eat you! so who cares what they think?" I repeat that to myself a lot, hoping one day it really sets in.
DeleteTo say that I don't care what people think of me is a lie, but I no longer let it keep me from doing what I want to. I decided, about 5 years ago that this was my life and all the fear was keeping me from living it the way I always thought I would. Again, I'm not saying I don't take what other's might think of me into consideration...but they aren't living my life, so why let them control it?
DeleteIt is very hard not to worry and care about what others think of us. I think that everyone actually feels this way, we just each show it in different ways.
DeleteGood for you, Shauna. Not worrying so much about what other people think of you gets easier as you get older. How I wish I had come to that realization sooner! I am trying to impart that wisdom to Katie. She seems to be doing better with it than I did in junior high. I hope she can keep the same attitude about it through high school and beyond.
DeleteRonda, I think the earlier we become aware that change can happen, the earlier we can start to actually change. Once I started to grow and become aware of myself, I thought if only I would have known about this sooner...high school might have been a lot easier! Katie will be so thankful!
DeleteI live by the mindset that life is what you make of it. Even though somethings will be harder for you to do, or face, or may come easy to you, anything can be possible with a growth mindset. Hard work and persistence can make anything possible from learning to relationships. A lot about this chapter brought about uncomfortable feelings and memories. I had a period in my life when I fell into a place of fixed mindset, which was not a healthy place to be. I was in a very dangerous and life threatening relationship. I had low esteem, felt like I had no self worth and could't imagine living any other way. Once I pushed myself through the low self esteem and fears of what MIGHT happen to me, I once was able to get myself back to a growth mindset, and change life, to a better way of life for myself and my children. It is unfortunate, that if one is treated in a negative way, that it can force us into a fixed mindset. I believe that we can go from fixed to growth mindset depending on outside factors in life. I try to stay positive and stay in the growth mindset. I was surprised that the IQ test was really developed to test the public school system. I was appalled at the teacher who seated kids by IQ. I see it here in our building a lot, placing kids of all levels with others kids of all levels together can really help those who maybe having a harder time with a subject matter. The students who help others students don't even know that they are a growth mindset person yet.
ReplyDeleteMost of the things we worry about never happen. Sometimes we miss out on today for worrying about tomorrow or yesterday. I agree that seating students heterogeneously is best for students, they learn so much from each other!
DeleteA surprise from chapter one was that a teacher had students sit in their IQ order. I am so glad I have not ever seen that! What made me uncomfortable is how I scored on the mindset quiz. Going into the quiz thinking that I am pretty open, it turns out that I am one of the people that have a mixture. I am split right down the middle. It works perfectly when I changed "intelligence" to "sports ability". But I can justify each of my answers! I really agreed with "the view you adopt for yourself profoundly affects the way you lead your life". I also believe what we tell and show our students affects their belief in themselves.
ReplyDelete2. In my fixed mind I am not good at sports. In junior high I remember a classmate looking at me and saying "you look like you should be athletic" I believe this was during volleyball when I just ducked when the ball came toward me. So really I never tried out for any sports even though I probably would of had fun on the bench! Whenever someone asked why don't you try out for something I always had a good reason, such as too busy with other activities. But my fear kept me from giving it a try. Luckily as you age you don't care what people think as much. And even though my children have asked me to never run in public, every once an a while I do!
I also agreed with "the view you adopt for yourself profoundly affects the way you lead your life". I also believe people adopt views, outlooks, and the way they lead their lives by the people they choose to associate with. And, these can either positive or negative influences.
DeleteI was also shocked at the author's 6th grade teacher... I cannot even imagine what that class was like...how divided it must have been. Instead of trying to bring everybody up to their greatest potential, that teacher was gluing ideas to those kids that they would always and forever be where they are, both inside her classroom and outside, both for that year and the rest of their lives. MADNESS!
DeleteYeah, the IQ thing makes me think a little harder about always having my reading groups by level. The kids figure it out pretty quick. The problem is, that it is the most effective thing to do in reading! Tough to weigh the good vs bad.
Delete1.
ReplyDeletea. It surprised me that the author found it interesting that kids were excited about the challenge of a difficult puzzle. I have never really thought about the idea that people do not like challenges.
b.The part that made me really uncomfortable was on the last page of the chapter when she was talking about a student getting up to speak in front of the class and feels anxious, judged, and overwhelmed with a fixed mindset. I never thought of a fixed mindset being the obstacle.
c. I agree with the examples of fixed mindsets, growth mindsets and coping skills in the author's example of a person having a really bad day by getting a poor mid-term grade, a ticket,and brushed off by a friend. I think she was spot on with the different examples of the two mindsets.
2. In my fixed mind I simply cannot sing! (Except in my car and all I can say is wow!) This goes back to high school and a music teacher that forced us all to go to competition without the confidence or even real skills to go (solos and/or quartets). Nervousness, nausea, humiliation, and crawl under a rock type of feelings. It was a small school and everybody had to participate (ability or not). On the flip side, in that same small school everyone also participated in every sport and to this day I still think I can play softball or basketball. hmmm...mindset!
1.
ReplyDeletea. The thing that most surprised me is when the author wanted to know, “What is wrong with them?” Shouldn’t we expect our children to not give up after one failure but to at least try and push on to get the puzzle correct? In class we see kids get frustrated all the time but we hardly ever see them give up after one try.
b. What made me uncomfortable is what people with a fixed mindset think about themselves. I know we can’t always be optimistic but I feel like we should always have hope that we can improve ourselves in some way. When I started out in college, I believe my mindset was fixed especially after my first semester of college and almost failing algebra. It took a lot of work to improve on something I thought would be impossible.
c. I agree that it takes a lot of effort to have success, it took me more than one try to pass math. I had to try again and again to understand material that’s understood immediately.
2. In my mindset when I was in college algebra, I really believed that I just couldn’t get it and never would. My main worry was what everyone thought of me failing especially my parents. It’s hard to see others passing and you are failing, why could others understand this gibberish so easily? In high school I did so well in math so coming into college I immediately expected everything to go smoothly. Let’s just say I thought my first semester of college was a completely failure because of one small class. Yes, I did have to take the class again and although I still didn’t get an A, I worked hard and passed the class.
I had the same thing happen with me with college algebra. The first time I signed up for the quick summer session. Went the first class, freaked out and dropped the class. I definitely had to change my mindset and try again. With the help of an understanding teacher and tutors I made it!
DeleteThanks for sharing about your math class. Algebra was hard for me too. As i went to college later in life I didn't have a mindset that I couldn't, but I worried that if I didn't people would think I was a failure. Does that make sense?
Delete1. While reading through chapter one, I kept comparing my own current and former mindsets to the fixed and growth mindset. I realized that growing up and all throughout my undergraduate career that I had a mostly fixed mindset. This was surprising because for the past few years I had (mostly unknowingly) adopted a growth mindset after beginning the journey of grad school. As the narrator says many times, a growth mindset must be cultivated and I realized that is exactly what my professors were doing. How can you believe that children are ultimately capable of positive self-growth in a supportive environment if you have a fixed mindset of what individuals have the capacity to do? You can't and so my perspective had to change. Not only did it change in regards to others, but it changed the way I looked at my own abilities. This was not a comfortable time and so thinking back to it as I read brought up all the same feelings that change tends to do. However, in reading the first chapter I am reminded of how far I have come in a short amount of time, which is why I agree whole-heartedly with the concept that mindsets can change...the environment just has to be right for it and the person has to be willing to change.
ReplyDelete2. Thinking back to times of having a fixed mindset, everything just seems to run together...all memories full of self-doubt and fear of looking wrong or stupid. If I wasn't getting A's in my classes, I wasn't good at that class and I wasn't good enough in the eyes of the people who mattered in my life. If I didn't score higher on a test or paper than my classmates, I was basically a failure. I looked at kids who were in tougher classes than me as miles above me in terms of intellect and I decided that since they were in the smart classes and I was in the normal classes that they were clearly better and smarter than me and would ultimately succeed in ways I could never dream. Thinking back on all of that now, I don't know how I wasn't more exhausted. I was putting all of my energy into comparing what I was able to do with what I though I could never do (I can never learn that, do that, be that, have that...). But once I started viewing my self as something that was always able to change, grow, and learn... I started feeling much more capable and willing to try things I might fail at (or succeed in).
I liked your comments about your changing mindset. Change is hard, but sometimes it is just a growing experience that happens when we don't even notice!
Delete1.a. I guess I am a little surprised that the author feels that mindset is so "cut and dry". Either you have a fixed mindset or are open to change seems a little too simple. I think a lot of how our mindset works depends on the topic at hand. I know the older a person gets, the harder they are to handle change, but I also feel like everyone is willing to take risks on things for which they are passionate. b. I guess this also made me feel a little uncomfortable as well. Getting a "C" in a class or getting a ticket would have thrown me into the mode of being angry, disappointed and irritated. It isn't always easy to see those moments as having a "silver lining". But, I'm hoping that this author is on the verge of helping me to strive to see more successes in life and focus on how to continue to better my ways of thinking. c. I agree with his idea of those who have the growth mindset are able to "change and grow through application and experience" which keeps from limiting ourselves. I feel that I learn something almost everyday. I don't ever want to stop learning.
ReplyDelete2. I had a fixed mindset for the majority of my previous career. I felt that my life there was extremely stagnant and that any opportunity I received was only because no one else wanted it. My job became limited and I lost motivation and ambition to strive for more. My boss was equally fixed minded and had no peripheral vision when it came to myself and my coworkers. We all began to search for ways to do our jobs quickly and move on. I finally realized that despite a nice paycheck, I would never truly be happy there. So, I went back to school to get certified to teach, got my Master's and have joined the "growth minded".
1a: Something that surprised me from chapter one was the idea that some see having to put forth effort as meaning that they can't do something. I've always thought that learning something or getting better at something took effort. I thought that everyone equated effort with success.
ReplyDelete1b: Something that made me uncomfortable was the section on Alfred Binet, inventor of the IQ test. The author states that Binet developed the test as a way to identify students who were not benefiting from Paris public schools so that new educational programs could be developed to help them achieve, and that he believed that with education and practice, fundamental changes in intelligence could occur. Throughout the course of my career in education, a low IQ score has deemed students incapable of making much progress. I've heard, "He's low IQ, he's working at his potential." IQ has been treated as a fixed quantity, with no hope of change. It seems that Binet would disagree with the way his test has been utilized. It sounds like those low IQ students are exactly the types of students he was trying to help.
1c. I agree that you can change your mindset. But it takes a lot of effort, not just a conscious decision to do so. In regard to changing personality traits, I think a person may have to fight the "nature" aspect of their personality. I've known that my personality is a combination of inherited traits and my parents' rearing, but I am surprised to find more of my dad's personality becoming part of mine lately.
2. I think the area in which a fixed mindset is a challenge for me is personality. My shyness has limited me in countless ways. I have tried hard to overcome it, and have made big gains, but I still have a lot of work to do.
Ronda, I have the same issue with being shy or nervous and I wonder sometimes if maybe that could be considered a strength as well? For one, we can relate to the shy kid in class. I have evolved into a more outgoing person, but Im not convinced that the quiet version of me is somehow worse than the outgoing version of me is better.
Deletea. Surprised me? - I was surprised that Alfred Binet did not believe that his own test was the final determinate on one's intelligence, it simply was a way for him to see which students were not fitting within the boundaries of the average student so that others could be educated in a manner to meet their learning and increase their intelligence.
ReplyDeleteb. Made me feel uncomfortable? No actually it made me feel much more at ease. I had a high IQ as a child and so I was always being put into this box where I was expected to be successful in certain areas even though I had very little interest and only worked at getting a high grade for my parents and teachers approval so then I could pursue things I was actually interested in. They were just a means to my goals.
c. Did I agree/disagree with? Yes, because I think we all have a fixed or growth mindset about different areas. In some areas I am excited to be challenged and grow and then in other areas I don't always pursue things in my life because I am content.
2. Can you think of a time you faced an important opportunity or challenge with a fixed mindset? Yes.
What were your thoughts and worries--about your abilities? That others would judge me from their perspective having never been in my shoes themselves. I wanted to hide and to regain equilibrium in my life.
about other people's judgments? Constantly. That is always my fear is rejection by others. My pride is strong but my need to be loved and to hear words of encouragement is my number one love language so being criticized by those that I love or admire is devastating.
about the possibility of failure? As I stated before my intelligence set me on course of always being expected to succeed so often failure was more extrinsic for me. I can fail at something and I will keep working until I make it the way I want it or the best it can be. But the minute others begin to criticize and express disappointment in me I crumble. I may pick myself up later, but if the criticism is harsh it may be a few hours or even days before I feel like trying again.
1.a.) It surprised me that the author was so shocked by the kids reactions with the puzzles. Kids want to be challenged too!
ReplyDeleteb.) It made me uncomfortable to realize how most of my HS and College years I was in a fixed mindset. I was just like she described on the last page of the chapter. I was worried about what everyone thought and felt like they were all constantly judging me and waiting for me to mess up.
c. I agree that you can change your mindset, it just takes a little work. Like I previously stated I had a fixed mindset in HS and college, but in reading the statements in the book, I leaned towards the growth mindset.
2. I have had a fixed mindset about many things. I have had it about art because I feel like I really stink at it and don't want to do it in front of anyone. I feel like it about sports because I never played and when I would try I would just get made fun of. This was really hard because I stunk and my best friend was the star athlete at my school. In school I was that kid that worried about everything even though I did very well. I had huge test anxiety at times too. I now feel like overall I have grown and moved more towards the growth mindset. I know that it is not all of the time and I still have work to do, but it's much better. I try not to worry so much about what everyone thinks so much anymore. I feel like if I'm doing what I need to do and doing it to the best of my ability then everything will be fine.