The Most Important Ingredient for Change in Education Part 2

The  Most Important Ingredient for Change in Education Part 2

In this post I discuss the facets of Dweck’s Mindset Theory as I explain it to my middle schoolers and share some resources that you can use to introduce it in your classroom!  You may want to read Part 1 explains the theory and rational  before you move on to Part 2. 

The facets of Mindset, according to Dweck’s theory are as follows: 

Intelligence and talent remain pretty much the same VS Intelligence and talent can be grown and developed

Challenges are to be avoided VS Challenges should be sought out

Effort is fruitless VS Effort is necessary for mastery

Criticism is ignored VS Criticism is used for improvement

Success of others is viewed as a threat VS Success of others are used as role models

You can see Dweck explaining her theory here.  

In my middle school classroom I follow up the lesson in Part 1 with the explanation below as students self assess each of the facets, analyze their “fail” that they discussed with the class,  and discover their strengths and weaknesses. 

Intelligence and talent remain pretty much the same VS Intelligence and talent can be grown and developed

How many of you have ever said “I am just not a math person” or “I am just horrible with directions”?  Those are examples of fixed mindset thinking where it is believed that your intelligence and talent remain pretty much the same throughout your lifetime.  If you don’t think you can change, you won’t and you really won’t ever be a “math person” or “good with directions”.  If you believe that you can grow and develop then you are more likely to reach your goals.  Oh, and those of you who still don’t think you can change you talent or intelligence, brain science has proved you wrong!  Researchers tell us that the synapses, the connections in our brain that help us to think better, grow throughout our lifetime.  The more do and learn, the more connections you make and the smarter you become.  So that means you can teach an old dog new tricks!

Challenges are to be avoided VS Challenges should be sought out

In high school I had a friend who told me that he was amazing at basketball and couldn’t wait for me to see him play.  I finally came to see him play in his community.  Instead of the regulation height hoops, these looked like the ones you would see at an elementary school.  I though that was strange, especially since he was 6’3!  It was even stranger when his opponents that he was playing with really did look like they were in elementary school!  I covered my eyes out of embarrassment for him when he dunked on one of the fifth graders and cheered himself on.  Clearly he didn’t have much of a challenge against these opponents. 

On the other hand, World Class soccer player, Mia Hamm did just the opposite.  She played with the older boys in her neighborhood and that helped her to become the star she is today.  Sometimes coaches have their players “play up” by going up to the next division to help them advance their game.  What does that have to do with school?  In high school you can “play up” by  taking  challenges in school like honors and advanced placement classes.  You can choose a more challenging science project instead of an easier one.  You can challenge yourself go for all A’s instead of being satisfied with C’s.

Effort is fruitless VS Effort is necessary for mastery

Let me know when you know this famous athlete.  When in the 9^th grade, he was cut from the freshmen basketball team.  After that, he worked hard to make it on the team and eventually become an NBA player, probably the best ever.  He also tried his hand at baseball and dabbled as an actor.  In case you still don’t know, a lot of you are wearing his shoes.  Many people think that Michael Jordan could probably skip every practice and just show up at the games because, well, he is Michael Jordan!  Actually, Jordan had the reputation for being first in training sessions and last one out---his hard work is what MADE him the Michael Jordan we now today and not the reject from the freshman team. 

Scientists have a term for this illusion.  It is called the Floating Duck Syndrome and was coined by researchers at Harvard.  Imagine if you will, a duck floating on a lake.  It seems to float so peacefully and naturally on the water, but what we don’t see is all of the work that goes on underneath.  The duck is actually moving his flippers vigorously just to stay above water (readers miss seeing me make a fool of myself by moving my arms in a modified breast stroke).   So, what in the world does a duck have to do with school?  That’s right, that smart kid who just seems to know all of the answers does a lot of work to stay above the water, I mean stay at the head of the class.  You can be the “smart kid” too, if you are willing to do the work.

Criticism is ignored VS Criticism is used for improvement

Does this situation sound familiar?  You work hard on an essay in Language Arts class, get it back with a bunch of red, purple, or green words on it with a big C- (or worse!) on it, and toss it in the garbage.  Well, you just missed out on a valuable opportunity to learn.  Your teacher didn’t write on your paper to make you feel bad, but to help you improve.  Kind of like what Dad did when he pointed out the A-, he wanted me to improve to be the best I could be.  The students who have an 99% and want to know why they got that one question wrong, have the right idea.  Always listen closely when a teacher goes over a test so you understand how to do better next time. 

Success of others is viewed as a threat VS Success of others are used as role models

Ok, how many of you are secret “haters”?  Don’t look at me all crazy!  I know that some of you secretly get jealous when a friend does better than you on a test or makes the team while you got cut.  Some of you aren’t all that secret about it either, shouting our “Nerd!” or trying to sabotage someone.  Instead of focusing your energy on jealousy, focus it on your improvement.  Really look to the success of others to see what you can learn.  It is said that you learn a lot from mistakes, but you can also learn a lot from successes.  Make them your secret role models.  I have many people that I consider role models, from our principal, to other teachers, and of course my parents.  Surround yourself with positive role models.  You are who you hang out with—your momma is right!

Resources for teaching your students about Mindset

Larry Ferlazzo has an extensive list of resources on the internet for teaching students about Mindset here.  I highly recommend that you read his blog! Go there immediately!  

You can see the powerpoint that I use with this explanation here!

In the next post I will discuss the importance of teachers having a Growth Mindset and why it is an important leverage point for educational change.