Tag: growth mindset

image shows a stack of picture books in front of a mug with smiley faces; the title above says, "My 3 Favourite Picture Books about Growth Mindset" by Minds to Grow Blog on www.mindstogrow.ca/blog
Teaching

Growth Mindset Picture Books: My Three Favourite Books

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Teaching your students to develop a growth mindset can help them to face challenges in learning and life with more confidence. It can help students view making mistakes as an opportunity to reflect and do things in a different way. Using  picture books to teach growth mindset is an awesome way to introduce this way of thinking to your students.

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Just like with learning anything new, learning about growth mindset took some time for me to understand and start applying in my professional and personal life. Going from having a fixed mindset to a growth mindset requires adjustment in one’s self-talk, patterns of thinking, and actions.

Picture Books for Growth Mindset?

The first time I learned about growth mindset, I was intrigued and excited because I saw so many benefits to having a growth mindset in my personal life and professional life. I was eager to teach my students about it, too. 

But how could I do this in a simple way? 

How in the world do you teach it to young students?

Enter one of my favourite ways of teaching big ideas to my students: picture books.

My Three Favourites!

I am going to share three of my personal favourite books that can help you talk about growth mindset with your students. Each time I read these books to a class, they often refer back to the stories when they find themselves going through a learning struggle or thinking of doing something in a different way. Picture books are simply the best!

Click here for a simple Growth Mindset template.

Why Picture Books?

Reading picture books to young students about growth mindset helps them build an understanding. Once young readers have a baseline to refer to in their mind, then it’s easier for them to grasp the concepts we wish to help them develop and learn.

Also read: How Will I Grow My Brain Today?

Book #1

When Sophie Thinks She Can’t (Written and Illustrated by Molly Bang)

Sophie is a young student who knows what she can do well, yet she also knows that a certain subject is really difficult for her. At the start of the story, she struggles to complete a challenging task at home. Some unkind words from her sister discourage her and she feels like giving up. At school, her teacher presents a math challenge to the class. Sophie has a hard time believing that she can figure it out. She soon discovers that struggling through difficult tasks can lead her to believe in herself, feel more open to solving problems in different ways, and see the benefits of persevering. 

This is a book that my students have asked to hear over and over again, year after year! I recently had a past student remind me of “that growth mindset” book that we read back in the day! 

Click here to purchase this book! *non-affiliate / unsponsored link*

Book #2

Your Fantastic Elastic Brain: Stretch It, Shape It (Written by JoAnn Deak, PhD, Illustrated by Sarah Ackerley)

This book is simply put, fantastic! This text helps readers learn about the parts of the brain and how the brain works. It shares some great examples of how to make your brain “grow”. I like how the book explains that making mistakes helps us to learn and grow our brain. This book is a great one for young students,  as well as people of all ages who want to learn about the brain and growth mindset. 

Click here to purchase this book! *non-affiliate / unsponsored link*

Book #3

The Dot (Written and Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds)

Vashti is not confident in her drawing abilities. With some gentle encouragement from her teacher, she tries to draw something. Vashti soon becomes curious about drawing in a multitude of different ways. 

This story is a class favourite. When I read this story this past year, I was so pleased when my students recognized that the main character had a fixed mindset (e.g., thinking she couldn’t do something) then developed a growth mindset (e.g., believing that one can reflect on their learning or mistakes and grow from them). 

Click here to purchase this book! *non-affiliate / unsponsored link*

Picture Books for the Win!

In conclusion, using picture books is an amazing way to help students understand key concepts and big ideas. The three books shared above are my own personal favourites for introducing Growth Mindset to my students. What books have you used to teach Growth Mindset?

Thanks for reading about these three super books. To stay updated on future blog posts, quick ideas, and resources, please connect with me on social media:  Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Twitter. 

Thanks for dropping by. See you next time!

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Teaching

Perseverance: What A Roller Coaster! Teaching In a Pandemic

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Amused by Amusement Parks

Memories of my childhood include trips to amusement parks with family and friends. It would either be an amusement park that had a specific, stationary location (e.g., Canada’s Wonderland) or a small carnival that would be set-up in a mall parking lot for a short period of time. Whenever cousins from abroad would visit, I would always look forward to putting one on my list as a “Place to Go”.

I recall going one year to Canada’s Wonderland with a group of cousins. One was adamant about us going on a roller coaster. I wasn’t so thrilled with the idea, but agreed that I would try going on one of the smaller roller coasters. So, we went, and once the coaster got to the top of the first drop, I remember the intense fear I felt, the loud screaming (from myself and others), and my glasses having difficulty staying still on my face. There were even moments of laughter as I began to enjoy parts of it…until it started going down a steep incline once again. At the end of it, I was thankful it was over, yet amazed by the array of emotions from start to finish in the short ride.

 

 

Once Upon a Time…

Fast forward to March 2020.

Prior to that point in time, working in education always had its unique challenges.  When I reflect on classroom experiences from prior to March 2020, I catch myself thinking about them as the “good old days” when we could do this or do that at school.

So much was taken for granted in those much more simple times. Who would have thought that we would even consider that short while ago as much more simple times?

 

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We took so much for granted. Once upon a time, we could…

  • be in our school and classroom without masks
  • smile at others while showing our teeth (e.g., a mask-free smile)
  • share materials with peers without a second-thought
  • sing songs during class time
  • give a High-Five or fist bump without immediately thinking about sanitizing or washing hands
  • put desks in groups of 2 or more
  • attend whole-school assemblies in the gym
  • have group games or clubs after school

The list goes on and on.

As I said before: those were much more simple times, yet ones that were actually really special. I truly treasure those experiences now more than ever.

The pandemic has caused education to rapidly change (and it continues to do so each day). Post-Pandemic (whenever that will be), our classrooms, schools, and approach to teaching will permanently be different, too, compared to our Pre-COVID-19 world. We just have to keep riding out this roller coaster-of-an-experience to see what it will look like for teachers, staff, students, families.

 

A Roller Coaster Ride of Epic Proportions…

Every educator will surely have their own unique story to tell from this experience of teaching during a pandemic. In short, this is how my 2020-2021 school year has played out so far:

  • In-Person (September to December)
  • Online (January to Mid-February)
  • In-Person (Mid-February – Early April)
  • Online (April to whenever more details are available)

Switching from in-person teaching to online teaching has been interesting. So many things that can be done rather quickly or easily in-person, needs to be adjusted to fit the various media being used online (e.g., laptop, iPad, cell phone, etc.) Just the same, there are many things that can be done while learning online, that would be more difficult to do in-person.

I never imagined my particular situation this year would include switching back and forth twice (so far).

It truly has felt like being on a roller coaster of epic proportions.

So many highs, lows, a range of emotions, moments of fear, excitement, and more.

It would be easy to focus on just the lows and moments of fear, yet, I choose to focus on some of the highs because it has helped me to learn so much (and also facilitate learning for my students).

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pixel cells, idea, visualization

Perseverance: Moments of Growth During the Ups and Downs

Here is just a small sample of the amazing things that have come out of this difficult time of a global pandemic for my Grade 1 students and me:

  • They love reading and continue to show growth in their reading!
  • They are all Rock Stars simply because they continue to show such resilience each day. They are my heroes as they tackle this challenging time and adjust as needed. Side note: A favourite word in my classroom is flexible. We use it daily!
  • I have learned how to maximize my teaching time even more. Following all of the important and necessary health and safety protocols takes a lot of time out of our day. Mini lessons are powerful!
  • I have learned how to set-up and teach in a virtual classroom setting. There has been ample time to practice, refine, and practice some more.
  • My students, although just 6 years old, know how to navigate many platforms such as Zoom, Google Classroom, Google Slides, and more!
  • We focus a lot on the 4 C’s in my classroom (communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity). My students have surely been strengthening their critical thinking skills and enjoy doing things creatively simply because we sometimes don’t have a choice but to be creative!

I smile as I think of other Ups during this time of so many Downs, but I will share more another time.

One of the most important things my students and I have held onto this year is having a Growth Mindset. It has helped us, and continues to help us, persevere and not give up when things get tough. We recite a Growth Mindset pledge each morning and I truly hope they will remember it for the rest of their lives because it’s simply powerful Self-Talk.

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Hold On! We’ll Get Through This Together!

This pandemic has been totally challenging for every one experiencing it. Despite it all, we can still find some beauty in our experiences. There are glimmers of hope and new learning that has emerged as a result of this time.

I know it’s been hard and continues to be tough, yet you have made it this far. This Pandemic Roller Coaster is one that has squeezed us and exhausted us in ways we never imagined, yet we are here.

Let’s continue to hold on because there are brighter days ahead. We will get through this together.

Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after the other.

Walter Elliot
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Professional Growth for Teachers, Self-Care and Wellbeing for Teachers

Encouraging Words: Keep Going. Keep Growing.

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Image shows a wooden pathway surrounded by trees. There is some sunlight shining through the trees onto the pathway. Words, "Keep going, keep growing" by www.mindstogrow are at the bottom of the picture.

Keep going. Keep growing.

Some days may feel tougher than others, but be encouraged to keep going.

This past year has surely been and continues to be challenging, yet we have been gifted with being here now.

To the teacher who feels frustrated by all of the changes that need to be made in order to create learning experiences for students during this time: keep going.

To the parents who feel more exhausted than ever, trying to balance their own work at home along with remote learning for their children: keep going.

To the students who may feel confused about the times we live in and feel isolated because they cannot connect with their friends as before: keep going.

It’s harder to think so on some days, but it will get better.

It’s my hope (today or one day) that we can see the experiences we have gone through (and continue to go through) as ones where we grew because we kept going.

One step at a time. One day at a time.

Let’s keep encouraging one another.

Keep going. Keep growing.

#grow #growthmindset #keepgoing #keepgrowing #pandemic #pandemiclife #teachers #teaching #learningathome #betterdays #encouragement #thoughts #youmatter #blessed #grateful #mindstogrow

Personal Growth for Teachers, Professional Growth for Teachers

How Will I Grow My Mind Today?

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Every year when teachers get their class list for the following school year, we start planning in our minds about how we can reach this future group of students. We think about what worked well (and what didn’t work well) in the past year. We think about new strategies, lessons, and activities that we can use to help facilitate learning with our next class. 

A few years ago, as I was preparing to teach Grade 2, I looked at my new class list and recognized some familiar names. One name in particular got me thinking about how I would be able to help that learner. You see, that student had some difficulties with learning and as a result, was also struggling with low self-esteem. It’s not easy seeing your peers learn new concepts that you consistently have a hard time understanding. When I saw the name, I knew that I had to focus on building self-esteem and to help shift their thinking in order to help create a space for learning and growing. 

Enter Growth Mindset. I was determined to find a way to help that particular student from the very beginning of the school year. Once I learned more about Growth Mindset, I knew that it would not only (hopefully) encourage that student in question, but also benefit all of my students. In my mind, it was worth the effort to teach lessons on Growth Mindset and just watch what happens.

Well, I’m happy to say that it not only helped that child’s self-esteem, but it also strengthened the self-esteem of my other students! Growth Mindset revolutionized my classroom and helped me become a better teacher, too. It’s something that has also been a blessing to me personally as well. I am truly looking forward to exploring and sharing more about Growth Mindset through my Minds to Grow blog, website, and other social media. 

A question I like to ask myself each day is, “How will I grow my mind today?” Sometimes it’s just a small task (e.g., learning a Life Hack) and other times, a larger one. I love learning new things and for that reason, it’s exciting to challenge myself to do things that I may have thought were too difficult to do in the past.   

So I ask you today, too: How will you grow your mind today? What do you have in mind to try out that you’ve wanted to try, but perhaps felt too afraid to try in the past? 

Let’s encourage each other and watch each other grow!

How will I grow my mind today?

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What is Minds to Grow?

Introducing Minds to Grow: Here We Grow

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Thanks for visiting my blog on Minds to Grow! I’m so glad that you’re here!

My name is Kris. Since I was a little girl, I always dreamed of becoming a teacher. I feel so blessed to be able to live out that dream and be an educator to primary-aged students.

Through Minds to Grow, I help primary teachers save time with tips and resources for the classroom so they can also focus on personal and professional growth.