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Math PK-2 > Strategies > Foster Growth Mindset

Foster Growth Mindset

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Overview

Teachers can help students understand that learning involves effort, mistakes, and reflection by teaching them about their malleable brain and modeling their own learning process. When students are taught about brain malleability and that intellectual ability can be developed over time with effort, they are more resilient when they struggle. Showing students that teachers, too, are learners who struggle and persist through challenging work also models the importance of continuous growth. Research has shown that a growth mindset is particularly supportive of students with math anxiety and at-risk students, especially for math achievement.

Use It in the Classroom

  • A critical way to embed growth mindset is to frame assessments as opportunities for students to show what they know and can do versus a test of their ability. Research has shown this strategy is particularly effective in reducing the impact of Stereotype Threat on student performance. A related strategy is to have students do an expressive writing task before an assessment to help them reappraise their negative emotions and learn to move past them.

    • Design It into Your Product

  • Products that focus on the learning process and encourage mistakes convey the importance of a growth mindset. One way to do this is to provide open tasks that have more than one answer so students focus on process and strategies, helping foster a learning-focused Math Mindset. Letting learners set individual goals also encourages Motivation and Self-Regulation.
    • View References

    Resources

    Below are additional examples, research, and professional development. These resources are possible representations of this strategy, not endorsements.
    Examples

    Growth Mindset Videos

    ClassDojo video series on the impact of having a growth mindset

    Examples

    Math Mindset Course

    Free student course from Jo Boaler to foster growth mindset in math

    Examples

    Mindset Kit

    Lessons and practices for fostering adaptive beliefs and a growth mindset

    Professional Development

    Developing a Growth Mindset

    Tips for developing teachers' growth mindset

    Professional Development

    Guide for Growth Mindset

    Set of Teaching Channel resources for modeling growth mindset

    Research

    Growth Mindset

    Explanation of growth mindset from Carol Dweck

    Research

    Self-Efficacy

    Subtopic that includes research on the factors that lead people to develop self-efficacy on Digital Promise's Research Map

    Research

    Student Confidence in Math

    The importance of embracing errors as learning, emphasizing reasoning, and relating math to student strengths from Digital Promise's Ask a Researcher

    Research

    Student Goals

    Subtopic that explores how student goals relate to academic achievement and their motivation to learn on Digital Promise's Research Map

    Research

    Teacher/Student Relationships

    Subtopic that includes research on the characteristics of positive teacher-student relationships on Digital Promise's Research Map

    Factors Supported by this Strategy

    Numeracy and Mathematics
    Cognition
    Social and Emotional Learning
    Emotion
    Motivation
    Self-Regulation
    Social Awareness & Relationship Skills
    Stereotype Threat
    Student Background

    More Teacher Modeling & Support Strategies

    Accessible Vocabulary & Syntax

    Teachers support language development by using and providing vocabulary and syntax that is appropriately leveled (e.g.

    Brief Instruction Steps

    Content that is provided in clear, short chunks can support students' Working Memory.

    Building Trusting Relationships

    Building positive and trusting relationships with learners allows them to feel safe; a sense of belonging; and that their academic, cognitive, and social and emotional needs are supported.

    Discussing Emotions

    Teaching students how to label, identify, and manage Emotion helps them learn Self-regulation skills.

    Encourage Student Self-advocacy

    Overtly encouraging all students to seek support and ask questions creates a safe space for risk-taking and skill development.

    Growth Mindset Feedback

    Providing feedback that focuses on the process of developing skills conveys the importance of effort and motivates students to persist when learning.

    Incorporate Students' Cultural Practices

    Learning about students' cultures and connecting them to instructional practices helps all students feel like valued members of the community.

    Model Assignment or Skill

    By talking through their thinking at each step of a process, teachers can model what learning looks like.

    Model Positive Connections to Math

    Teachers sharing math-to-self, math-to-math, and math-to-world connections models this schema building.

    Predictability: Environment & Structure

    Maintaining consistent classroom routines and schedules ensures that students are able to trust and predict what will happen next.

    Student Choice

    Providing students a voice in their learning is critical for making learning meaningful.

    Wait Time

    Wait time, or think time, of three or more seconds after posing a question increases how many students volunteer and the length and accuracy of their responses.

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