Monday Musings - January 19, 2015

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As I'm reading through the student survey analysis forms, I'm enjoying reading your professional reflections on your students' responses/perceptions and next steps if needed. One area of the student survey that I have read a number of people focus on is the student statement about being able to do the work in the classroom. Some of you have expressed concern or surprise by students feeling as though they can't do the work and I wonder how much of it is something to be concerned with or is it that our students responding this way do not have a growth mindset?

If a teacher teaches a lesson the "old school way" of getting in front of the class to deliver content, passes out an assignment and then feels that their job is done ("I taught them"), then we do have something to be concerned about. But, I don't think that's the case, because I've never observed that type of teaching in our building. Great teaching includes modeling and a gradual release to the students to be able to work independently ("I do, we do, we do, you do."). Great teaching also includes formative checks throughout a lesson (i.e. calling on both volunteers/non-volunteers, turn-and-talk, written responses for the teacher to see or direct observation) before turning it over to students to try independently. Great teaching is responsive to students, sometimes taking a turn from what was originally planned, based on students' responses (maybe they're not ready yet or they need to be challenged more). Great teachers never give students an assignment without knowing that they're capable of doing on their own...otherwise the student could just do it all wrong and then have many misconceptions/misunderstandings that will take even longer for the teacher to re-teach.

I observe this kind of great teaching everyday when I'm in classrooms, which makes me think that maybe we have an issue of students with a fixed mindset instead of a growth mindset. (I've previously written about Mindset for you all HERE).  A student with a fixed mindset might feel as if they're "not smart at math" or "not a good reader" and feel like they can't do the work you give them. However, it's the student with a growth mindset that knows that even if you give them something challenging that they can keep trying, ask for help and keep improving their knowledge and skills.

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So, how can you help your students develop a growth mindset? Start by talking to them about the difference between the two. I've seen some of our older students make some amazing progress after their teachers simply shared the concept and asked students to reflect/write about their mindset.

Here's a great article: Students Benefit from Learning that Intelligence is Not Fixed

Here's a short video clip about the impact praise has on mindset:


Here are some other video clips that might be helpful for talking about Growth Mindset with students: