Our Curious Classroom: On Growth Mindsets

Believe you can and you're halfway there.
-Theodore Roosevelt

What does it mean to have a growth mindset?

The Grades 5/6s have learned that a growth mindset means believing that our skills and intelligence can be developed through perseverance, effort, and by learning from mistakes. Instead of thinking we are "just good" or "not good" at something, we see challenges as opportunities to grow and improve.

In our learning engagements, we explored how having a growth mindset helps us overcome obstacles, embrace challenges, and keep pushing forward, even when things get tough.

Using their collaborative and critical thinking skills, the students unlocked this unit's central idea by unscrambling a puzzle of words with their groups. It was a delight to listen in and hear the children collaborate and use their critical thinking skills as they discussed how to solve the puzzle.

We also explored the concepts of fixed vs. growth mindset, discussing how our beliefs about our skills and intelligence can shape our learning experiences. The children reflected on their own mindsets, especially in areas that are particularly challenging for them.

To culminate our lessons, we introduced the practice of goal setting, encouraging each student to identify personal objectives and strategies to achieve them. This holistic approach not only empowers the students but also instills a sense of ownership over their learning journey, reinforcing the idea that with effort and determination, they can achieve great things.

Have a wonderful long weekend to all of you.

Your homeroom teacher,
Pam
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P.S.
We also had an opportunity to collaborate with the other grade levels this week.

Preschool Buddy Reading