Growth Mindset

Parent Workshop

January 6th 2017

What is mindset?

Mindset is an idea developed by Dr. CarolDweck.

A set of beliefs that determine somebody’s behaviour and outlook in life.

Two types of mindset:

A fixed mindset

A growth mindset

Characteristics of a fixed

mindset

ability and intelligence are innate

intelligence and ability cannot be

changed

tend to give up easily with tasks

avoid challenges

feel threatened by the success of others

ignore constructive criticism

Characteristics of a growth

mindset

intelligence can be developed over time

through effort, dedication and hard work

persevere with tasks

enjoy challenges

setbacks and criticism as lessons to be learnt from

inspired by and learn from the success ofothers

Activity 1

Read the statements and sort them

into those that relate to a growth

mindset and those that relate to a

fixed mindset.

Intelligencecan grow

I only need to

believe in myself

Effort leads to progress

When thegoing getstough…

I get smarterSuccess is

the makingof targets

When the going gets

tough… dig in and

persist

Ability leads to progress

Intelligence is fixed

When the

goinggets tough…

I get found out

I need to be viewed as

able

Success is doing better than others

When the going gets

tough… give up, it’s

hopeless

Watch short you tube video of Carol

Dweck discussing the benefits of having

a growth mindset:

http://youtu.be/arCdzdBhCcc

Two Beliefs on a spectrum of intellectual

ability

Innate ability Effort-based ability

Inborn intelligence is the

main determinant of

success

Consistent effort and

effective strategies are

the main determinants

of success.

Ashmount Primary mindset

We believe that everyone can get better at anything…when they put in the effort and work at it.

•If children hear ‘I can’t do maths’ from

parents, teachers, friends they begin to

believe it isn’t important

•People become less embarrassed about

maths skills as it is acceptable to be ‘rubbish

at maths’

Pause for thought….

Activity 2: Discussion Task

Reflect on your own childhood

experiences of learning – parents,

teachers, peers

Has your childhood experience had an

impact on your mindset related to

learning?

Impact of praise on pupil attitude

and achievement

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTXrV0_3Uj

Y

Fixed and growth mindset praise

Activity 3: Look at the praise statements and sort

them into those that promote a fixed mindset and

those that promote a growth mindset.

You can subtract

really quickly,

you’re a natural

mathematician!

I like the way you tried to work

that out. Your answer is very

close-try aga in!

I am amazed that you have

finished the task a lready-you

are such a fast worker !

Well done on your maths test,

you have learnt from the

feedback I gave you last week and

have improved.

Great ! You persevered and did

well in your subtracting

equations !

You scored 90% on your exam

which is an 'A' grade !You are

excellent at Maths !

\\\\\

\I enjoyed marking your work. You

got all the questions right! Youare

destined to be a mathematician

when you grow up!

I am impressed by how hard you

have tried to work this out !

Fixed mindset praise

I am amazed that you

have finished the task

already - you are such

a fast worker!

I enjoyed marking your

work. You got all the

questions right! You are

destined to be a

mathematician when you

grow up!

You scored 90% on

your exam which is an

‘A’ grade! You are

excellent at Maths!

Growth mindset praise

I like the way you

tried to work that out.

Your answer is very

close – try again!

I am impressed by how

hard you have tried to

work this out.

Great! You persevered

and did well in your

subtracting equations!

Well done on your maths

test, you have learnt from

the feedback I gave you

last week and have

improved.

4: The mindset

of pupilsThe main thing I

want when I do

my school work

is show how

good I am at it!

It is more

important for

me to learn

new things in my

classes!

The harder you

work at

something, the

better you will be

at it.

A growth

mindset

When I have to

work hard at

something, it

makes me feel

like I am not

very clever.

A fixed mindset

Famous role models

….Beethoven - a ‘hopeless composer’

….Michael Jordan – “not more talented than other

basketball players”

…..Walt Disney - lacked ‘creative imagination’

A growth mindset can be taught

and allows pupils…

• to embrace learning and growth

• achieve to their potential

• understand the role of effort in creating

talent

• maintain confidence and effectiveness in

the face of challenges and setbacks

Further information

The Power of Belief by Eduardo Briceno:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pN34FNbOKXc

Pupil praise:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wqo4c-FlFGE#t=13

“Believe to achieve” by Dr. Reuven Feuerstein – a

psychologist renowned for his theory of intelligence:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXopVpQwivY

Mindset book by Carol Dweck:

Dweck, C. (2006) The new psychology of success.

Random House Digital, Inc.