A fixed mindset creates beliefs focused on
judgment. A growth mindset creates beliefs focused on change. It is possible to help
people/students replace the judging going on in their heads with a growth mindset in which they
ask, “What can I learn from this? How can I improve?” Simply teaching about the mindsets helps
people to shift their thinking about intelligence and talent. The brain does not have a fixed
amount of intelligence. Instead, it is more like a muscle in that it changes and gets stronger when
used. The more you challenge yourself, the more the brain grows. When students learn this they
end up feeling empowered to know they can be in charge of the growth of their own brains.
Changing your mindset doesn’t occur by learning a few tricks, however. The goal is for students
to change from a judge-and-be-judged framework to a learn-and-help-learn framework. Students
benefit when adults model this mindset, make comments that reflect a growth mindset, and who
reward student behavior that aligns with a growth mindset.
1. What steps can you take in your classroom to change the mindset of your students?
2. What are two important concepts or ideas you can take away from this book?
1) One way you can change the mindset of your students would be to help them see school and class work through a different mindset. Try to help them see it as fun and challenging. Encourage them to have a growth mindset. They need to use different strategies like better study techniques, planned study time, and motivation. This will push them to succeed in life. If they can do this and have fun they will succeed.
ReplyDelete2) I have never really thought much about growth mindset. I love how it pushes you to the next level. It helps me see things differently. Instead of looking just on the surface dig deeper.
I love how it talks about children with a growth mindset look at success as a way to stretch themselves. It's about becoming smarter. Looking for ways to push yourself to the next level in life.
I think I could definitely look for more ways to push myself in life - to learn more and become better everyday! This book helped to remind me of that.
Delete1) There are several ways you can change the mindset or your students. Help them to see learning in a positive way. Help them see challenges as something they can overcome as long as they keep trying and don't give up. Helping them see that not everyone learns the same way and that each individual has to find how they learn best. Another way is not judging a student’s ability solely based on test scores. As long as we continue to encourage our students, letting them know it's ok if you don’t get something the first that doesn’t mean you won't get it the next time and nurturing the growth mindset then our students will benefit greatly. Not just for now but for their entire lives.
ReplyDelete2) One concept or idea that I take away from reading this book is how to better nurture a growth mindset in the classroom. Another concept or idea that I take away from this book is that there are two very different mindsets and how they affect a person. As I stated in my very first post, I had not given much thought to concept of there being different mindsets or that you can change your mindset. After reading this book I am more aware of when I’m having a fixed mindset about something.
I think it is great to know what kind of mindset you have. At one time I had a fixed mindset and when I entered college; I knew I had to push myself and not allow myself to fail!
DeleteI agree that is important to remember to encourage students to keep trying when they are challenged by something, and to find a way of learning that works for them.
DeleteYour last comment about being more aware of fixed mindsets made me think of a thought I had while reading. Wouldn't it be great if we had an internal buzzer that went off when we had a fixed mindset thought? Then you could stop and rethink.
DeleteI love that comment Karen!! As soon as I read your comment the Staples button popped up in my head and I could hear it says "You've got this!" I would love for my bring to tell me "Hey you can do this.. keep searching for the answer... you just haven't thought enough out of the box yet "
DeleteChallenging them and using terms in the classroom that foster a growth mindset.
ReplyDeleteLet them know that it is okay to keep trying until it becomes easier.
Create opportunities for them to practice skills in traditional and non-traditional ways. I love STEM and STEAM activities for kids (and I will admit it--I love hands-on in-services myself for learning and personal growth).
Be mindful of my own "mindset".
Being mindful of different "mindsets" in reference to success or failure or even dealing with adults and children. And then explore ways to encourage growth mindsets in the classroom and school community.
Thinking about how my own mindset differs in different situations and environments.
I believe that you can use terms to foster their mindsets. Creating opportunities for them to use these terms is great. Get on their level and see what their mindset is thinking.
DeleteI agree, I love doing hands on activities. It is a great way for them to learn new things in different ways especially since everything is on computers these day.
DeleteI love how you stated help them see challenges as something they can overcome. A lot of kids get down on themselves if they don't succeed the first time. Keep pushing them to succeed.
ReplyDeleteThis went with Christys not sure what I did wrong. Trying to do this from my phone is not working well.
Delete1. Teach students the difference between fixed and growth mindsets. Try to change the perception that you're only good at something if it comes easily. Encourage and praise effort and the learning process. Try to help those who may have decided their intelligence is set to see that intelligence can be increased. Help students to view mistakes as learning opportunities.
ReplyDelete2. Be careful in praising students that you are not pushing them toward a fixed mindset. Keep in mind that success may be limiting for students that have always had things come easily for them.
I agree. In fact, I saw a church billboard last week that said "Mistakes are proof of effort". Your comments also make me wonder how many students really feel that grades come easy to them and if they understand that challenges will enhance their intelligence.
DeleteWow, success may limit. It sounds wrong until you think about the mindset of the child and then you realize that it is true!
DeleteIt reminds me of the quote, something like... good is the enemy of great.
DeleteYes Holly! I've seen kids hit the wall and collapse into despair because things have always come easy to them and when they hit a challenge for the first time or make a bad grade they aren't able to process it. Their fixed mindset makes them freeze rather than continue to correct their mistakes. It reminds me of Sheldon Cooper and all the times he would crawl into a ball because a new life experience out if his fixed routine left him confused and vulnerable. I love Sheldon but don't be Sheldon!
DeleteI think one important way to help our students is to teach them the difference between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset. This is a great way to show them that even though something is hard we can always learn new things and improve on what we already know.
ReplyDeleteOne important concept that I took from the book is that I learned have a growth mindset but I haven’t always tried to push myself until college. It is important to know what type of mindset that you have. This is a great tool to help you determine how to push yourself, especially if you have a fixed mindset. It is also important that we teach students that just because we fail, it doesn’t mean we aren’t “smart enough” it just means we need to learn another way and push ourselves.
I wonder if the people responsible for standard based grading considered themselves to have a growth mindset? It does seem like this way of grading is on the right path to encourage student to strive to master standards. I'm still not completely sold on them, but only because I don't think students have broken out of a fixed mindset based on our letter grading system enough to work toward completing their work in a timely manner.
DeleteYou are correct that we can always learn new things and improve. It is never ending! Wouldn't life get so boring if we just stopped learning and improving?
Delete1. To encourage growth mindset in my students, I can use different language when praising them. I can praise their hard work rather than praising them for "being smart". I can also help them learn that it is good for them to be challenged, rather than only doing things they are already good at.
ReplyDelete2. One important concept I took from this book is to identify students who are thinking through a fixed mindset and help push them toward seeing things through a growth mindset. Another concept I took away from the book is to teach students that challenges are a good thing, and to praise them when they are working through a challenge, rather than just praising them when they do something well.
I agree that it is important to get the students to love challenges and encourage them as they are working through it, even if they are struggling.
DeleteStudents often bring me their work when they think they are done. A great way for me to encourage growth mindset is to ask students what they can add to enhance their work. Or encourage them to go back and make sure that they have outlined and colored their best. Planning is a huge part of having a growth mindset. I can ask students to plan their project first before starting it. This way they are less likely to fail or "mess up".
ReplyDeleteI like being reminded that a growth mindset is not something that you achieve. It is something that has to be worked at continuously. I also appreciated the concept of understanding praise and positive labeling. I hadn't considered how much praise can be misinterpreted. It has made me really consider what I say to students before I say anything.
It's hard to think that some of praise we gave with good intentions may have actually undermined student effort.
DeleteLike you I will be considering what I say to students also!
Deletekids who bring me their work are maddening when they haven't put forth effort. I appreciate what you said about encouraging them to go back and see what they can add to enhance their work.
DeletePrior to reading this book I also had not thought about how praise can be misconstrued or misinterpreted.
DeleteThe first thing I thought of for helping students change their mindset was to share the book, Your Fantastic Elastic Brain by JoAnn Deak. I am all for using books to introduce concepts and this one is great. It is a picture book that teaches children that they can stretch and grow their brain. The book also lets children know mistakes are a part of learning. Online there are great activity ideas that go along with the book. Stop by the library if you want to see the book!
ReplyDeleteOne concept that I could relate to was the section, Plans That You’ll Carry Out and Ones That You Won’t. Many times I think I need the right conditions to make a change, instead I need to plan and visualize. Which I know from experience can work!
Another concept that I want to remember is in The Precocious Fixed Mindsetter. In the library we really discuss how we need to practice readers to become better readers. Which is aimed toward lower readers or those readers that have indicated that they want to have higher reading levels. What I need to remember is to also address those students that are high readers and be sure that they realize that they are still learning and there is a lot out there to learn.
1. I was thinking about making an anchor chart with like a flow chart. One side says getting better, the other says staying the same. Maybe brainstorm for ideas with my students to see what it takes to stay the same, and what it takes, specifically to get better.
ReplyDelete2. I think what I read in the last chapter about maintaining change was pretty huge for me personally. I have always hated when I go run for 3 months, then stop after I hit a goal. Another example is spending the summer having fun and doing lots of interesting things, then not doing anything fun all school year. Of course I end up dreading the school year and living for the summer!
The other thing I will take away is just being aware of the fixed vs growth mindsets in general. I have thought of this in a sort of spiritual way before, but I like having a name for it and some steps to move into the growth mindset.
I like your idea about making a chart and having the students get involved in the brainstorming process.
DeleteI loved the quote we learned at the Ranch this past Friday that when dealing with trauma stricken youth you learn to ask "What happened to you?" rather than " What is wrong with you?" I think I could change this slightly to help my students have more of a growth mindset. By asking "What is happening to you that is making you not want to try harder in this moment?" " What changes can we make to help you over this learning hurdle?" By helping them understand that they have unlimited potential and that we just have to adjust the hurdles then hopefully they can learned that hurdles aren't a stopping point...just a slowing down point to process before moving forward.
ReplyDeleteI came from a background where my parents expected us to be high achievers and they never wanted us to be of a fixed mindset that we could only do or be certain things. They were always pushing us to expand our horizons. This book made me even more aware that not all my students have this at home. Some of their parents have settled in life and have passed on that mindset to their children. They hear their parents say 'well I sure didn't have to know that in school, so don't worry about learning that. It's not important " They come in thinking that school isn't important so it is difficult to switch them, by I am going to do everything I can to inspire them that they can.
Another thing that really got me was that IQ is not a limiting factor on what we can achieve. It merely shows what skills we may learn in a traditional learning environment and that for us to succeed we will have to approach a new skill or task in a manner that our own intelligence can understand.
Yes, not all children come from homes that encourage the children to keep working hard, even if they are struggling and making mistakes. We have to be the ones to keep challenging them and encouraging them to try new things.
Delete1. I feel that giving the students opportunity to grow their mindset and show them that even though things might be hard, they can learn and do better. We have to help them understand that just because it is challenging doesn't mean that it is too hard and they need to give up. I see that a lot with some kids and I encourage them to keep trying and they will get it.
ReplyDelete2. One important concept from this book was just learning about the growth mindset vs. fixed mindset. I had never really thought about this concept before, but know I am more aware of it and aware of how I think and how my students think. I also think it is important for kids to like a challenge as well and push themselves to do better and learn more. It is also important that we frequently remind them that school is a safe place to make mistakes and try and then we help them to learn from those mistakes. I'm always saying to my reading students, just give it a try because what you are thinking might be right. They often just want us to give them the answer, but I would rather them try to sound out an unknown word and be wrong as just sit and stare at me.