I have always thought that a growth mindset offers a hopeful and motivating view on education for both children and teachers. It breaks the old belief that learning new skills is only for the naturally gifted.
With a growth mindset, children can feel empowered and confident in their ability to learn anything they set their minds to.
That's why tools that help children showcase their abilities, boost their self-esteem, and inspire hard work are so valuable.
Carol Dweck (2014) explains:
"A growth mindset is when students understand that their abilities can be developed."
Teachers need resources that focus on promoting growth, empowering students, and building their resilience. To support this, I've gathered a collection of free and valuable resources to help you nurture a growth mindset in your classroom.
This resource is perfect for helping students assess whether they have a fixed or growth mindset. By using it, children can see how a growth mindset can help them develop new skills, succeed in school, and achieve their goals.
The resource features 11 questions that prompt students to reflect on and explain their actions, reasons for their mindset, and provide evidence to support their answers.
Additionally, an open-ended question at the bottom of the page invites students to share their ideas, fostering meaningful discussions and further strengthening their growth mindset.
This resource is one of my favorites for explaining to parents what a growth mindset means and how to foster it in the classroom. It’s perfect for the initial group meeting or back-to-school night to inform parents that you’ll be promoting a growth mindset among your students.
Available in booklet format, it can be printed on both sides with a simple black-and-white layout that families find easy to read. It’s also great for bilingual schools or dual-language programs, as it includes versions in both Spanish and English.
This sorting activity helps students understand fixed and growth mindsets. They will see two columns: "I can't improve" and "I can improve."
Underneath these columns are various statements or affirmations that students will categorize based on their own criteria. The affirmations are mixed up, and students will cut them out and place them in the appropriate column, reflecting their understanding of fixed or growth mindsets.
The resource is available in color and can be easily downloaded and printed within seconds.
In this activity, children will read statements that represent a fixed mindset and transform them into phrases that reflect a growth mindset.
At the start, students are given two examples. By the end, they will write sentences that describe both fixed and growth mindsets.
Once the activity is complete, students can share and analyze their ideas as a group, encouraging creativity and fostering positive thinking.
The resource is designed on a single sheet in a grid format and is available in color, though it can also be printed in black and white.
I love this activity as well! Each question helps students focus on problem-solving and self-reflection. Through these questions and answers, children can identify their strengths and weaknesses, set goals, provide solutions, and enhance their overall mindset.
There are different ways to approach this activity. One method is to cut out each question and choose one at the beginning or end of each class day. Once students become familiar with the routine, they can reflect and share their ideas and experiences.
The exercise is presented on a single sheet of paper and is available in color. To ensure durability and enable reuse in future school years or with other classes, I recommend laminating the sheet and cutting out the questions.
This activity is an excellent tool for when students feel frustrated or unmotivated by unmet goals. Through a nine-step process, children reflect by asking themselves questions that help them understand and explore new alternatives to reach their goals.
In each step, students analyze and identify strategies that didn't work, extract valuable lessons from their experiences, and establish a fresh action plan.
The resource is available in color but maintains its quality when printed in black and white. I highly recommend keeping this action plan accessible throughout the year for reference and continuous use.
This activity is highly beneficial and should be used when your students feel scared or anxious about new challenges or activities.
Facing new challenges can be daunting for everyone, including children. This activity is specifically designed for students who experience fear or struggle with adapting to change.
Presented on a single sheet of paper with five speech balloons, it encourages students to acknowledge their fears and explore strategies to overcome and manage them. By engaging in this activity, students can actively work on and strengthen their mindset.
Pop Quiz - Fixed Mindset or Growth Mindset - FREEBIE
This quiz is designed to assess which mindset is predominant in your students and help them become aware of their tendencies.
The activity comprises ten statements with two answer choices: A or B. One choice reflects a fixed mindset, while the other reflects a growth mindset. It's crucial to encourage students to answer honestly and emphasize that everyone possesses elements of both mindsets.
You can assign the quiz as a take-home activity for students to work on with their families. They will likely find it enjoyable and engaging.
The resource is presented on a single sheet in black and white, making it easy to print. If desired, children can also color the sheet to add a creative touch.
Growth Mindset Interactive Mini-Book {Freebie}
This interactive mini-book freebie is an excellent tool for cultivating a growth mindset in first to third-grade students.
Specifically designed for this age group, the mini-book introduces the concept of a growth mindset in a straightforward manner.
Using affirmations, students are encouraged to engage in positive thinking and writing, fostering a strong and optimistic mindset.
Each page presents a different "fixed mindset situation," prompting children to reflect on alternative approaches that can help them overcome challenges and develop problem-solving skills, ultimately training their mindsets.
Positive Notes: Encouraging Motivation and Growth Mindset
This resource features a collection of positive notes that you can distribute to your students throughout the day. A great way to use them is by leaving these uplifting messages on their desks when they arrive in the morning.
This freebie is comprehensive, offering options for both color and black-and-white printing, as well as small and large printable notes.
I hope you make the most of this resource and help your students grow and unleash their full potential.
If you're interested in exploring more growth mindset resources, visit my store for a wonderful selection of bilingual activities available in Spanish and English.
By the way, do you know of any free resources on growth mindset that you would like to share with us?
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