Increasing Academics through a Growth Mindset
Presenter Name(s)
Tierney E. Langdon
Target Audience
Counselor Educator, Supervisor
Abstract
Students considered "at risk" often show academic gaps in their fundamental skills necessary in education. Poor Academic performance can be a contributing factor to an adolescents negative self image. Students who gain support in academics, while learning to have personal value will increase their efforts in educational work and self assurance. In this session students begin to understand Growth Mindsets, and how Growth mindset language can positively impact a students attitude and success in education.
Description
The goal of this Unit is for at risk students in the in the area of Math and
Literacy to be able to increase their Math and Literacy skills through the review of foundational skills, as well as
increasing their self image through Growth Mindset Language.
Strategies to be utilized in achieving this goal will consist of a nine week long small group unit that includes progress monitoring activities, growth and fixed mindsets lessons, as well as familiarity with Growth Mindset Language. Students will meet one time a week for approximately 9 weeks, for a duration of 30 minutes a session.
Students will set a personal End of Year grade goal and track their individual grade performance. Students will have
the oppportunity to reflect on their academic performance, celebrate success and recieve small group encouragement
to do the best they can. Students will also have the opportunity to increase their literacy skills through the use of
character education readings and activities. Students will participate in activities focusing on differentiated learning and peer collaboration. Lesson one will begin with a group opening, norms, a Mindset Survey for a pre test and an introduction to fixed vs. growth mindsets. Lesson 2 wil utilize a short video explaining the differences between growth and fixed mindsets. Lessons 3 through 6 will involve hands on activities that assist in how the brain learns, changing fixed mindset language to growth mindset language, illustrating a growth mindset and a poster project on growth mindset language and their meanings. Lessons 7 and 8 will require working together and utilizing a growth mindset, and participating in a cup stacking challenge. Finally lesson 9 will summarize the Unit by reflecting on observations, open discussion through the triangle response to questions craft.
The skills and insights participants should be able to gain are as follows:
Process data- students who are chosen for small group are defined as academically at risk students based on the beginning of the school years academic performance on core pre-tests.
Perception data- Students will have a stronger motivation for learning and working through academic challenges. Through the use of growth mindset language, students will be able to self motivate and increase their academic participation and performance.
Expected Outcome data- students in the group will increase their math and language arts performance from first semester to second semester. Academic performance will be measured through progress monitoring, and an end of semester 2 percentage grade of a 70 or high in the area of Math and Language Arts.
The content of this unit includes materials from three different references. Items were recieved from
Carol Dweck's book titled "Mindsets: The New Psychology of Success
as well as video slides from youtube: Star wars exerpt- exemplifying growth Mindset from Yoda (lesson 2- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYUJxzh8Raw); Will Smiths Top 10 rules for Success (lesson 5-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBsT9omTeh0); Video "how to" on cup stacking challenge(lesson 8- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tejbh-dxHTQ)