Growing a Growth Mindset
Photo by Akil Mazumder from Pexels
How is that August is upon us? As you are scurrying about setting up classrooms and not worrying about how to space desks out enough in your classroom this year, I’m sure you are breathing a sigh of relief. Here’s hoping this is the school year we all so desperately want and need!
However, concerns for learning loss is almost palpable as we head walk into 2021-2022. You can read more about my thoughts on that here, but my hope is that we can all do our best to face this year with a dose of healthy optimism and growth mindset. Growth mindset is far from a new concept. The growth mindset guru, Carol Dweck, summarizes it in this way, “In a growth mindset, challenges are exciting, rather than threatening. So, rather than thinking, oh, I’m going to reveal my weakness, you say, wow, here’s a chance to grow.”
I think it is more important than ever that our students understand the power they have over their own learning. So, I’ve drilled down to three tips that I believe will prove helpful as you support your students in developing a growth mindset this school year.
Embrace the power of YET.
I remember years ago walking into a classroom and seeing a large green YET cut out and hung on the bulletin board. At first I was a bit baffled. But, quickly, I grasped the purpose and power as the teacher reminded his students that while they may not fully understand this concept, yet, with time and effort they would. What we post on our walls tells our students what is important, and their growth mindset development certainly is worthy of wall space. Are you willing to make it a priority this year?
Praise effort and process, not grades.
While it may feel like second nature to notice and praise students for the good grades that come across our desk, it can be counter - intuitive. The very act of celebrating the result as opposed to effort and process leaves the student believing that the grade is ultimate goal over the learning. And, if achieving that grade is difficult, we often see students just giving up.
Create student selected work displays.
We have all seen them- the perfectly displayed, perfect work of students in the hallway. Unfortunately, this can create a limiting mindset for students. If we are truly embracing growth, consider letting students self-select and post work that they are proud of on the wall. Encourage them to post work that shows their process of learning, not perfection. I’ve seen some teachers do this by simply attaching clips to the wall and students change out the work as they see appropriate. I also have seen a giant refrigerator cut out and stapled to a wall to allow students to “hang their work on the fridge.”
If you are still rolling this around in your mind, here are a few additional thoughts to leave you with that speak to the great power of growth mindset.
Students who have a growth mindset:
perform better on standardized tests
are more motivated and engaged
have higher grades
are more likely to revise and edit their work
seek post-secondary learning at higher rate
Thanks for sharing your minutes with me today. Have a great week!
:) Brandy