Hand Students the Reins; They Will Impress You

My middle school team has been having an ongoing dialogue with our students about the benefits of a growth mindset.  We have looked a little at how the brain works while learning and have explored goal setting as a tool that helps one to grow. We have been trying to encourage our students to push themselves, persevere, and be less concerned with a grade than with learning.

Recently we decided to have them explore growth and fixed mindsets once again.  This time we gave them a series of fixed mindset statements.  They brainstormed growth mindset statements which they could think and say to develop their growth mindset.  Ultimately, they were charged with developing a bulletin board poster that would show the value of a growth mindset.

They struggled initially, but eventually, they blew me away.  The students’ idea for the bulletin board was phenomenal and a true collective effort.  They divied the responsibilities and then went at it.  I am immensely proud of their final product and am tremendously pleased at how they pulled off the complex task.

The original goal was for the students to reinforce a growth mindset and expose the rest of the school to the ideas as well.  But what they achieved through their teamwork and efforts also reminded me that, when given responsibility and power in learning...when handed the reins, students will impress the teacher.

Making the growth mindset character.

Creating the title.

Working on our goals.

Starting to put the pieces together.

Working with the puzzle they created.

Nearing completion.

Putting the poster up.

The final product.