"Mindsets are critically important because research has shown that they lead to different learning behaviours, which in turn create different learning outcomes for students"
I know that this blog is about mindsets in mathematics but excuse the tangent as I know blogs are also supposed to be about personal connections. After preparing for fitness shows I have realized the power of the mind. Our minds can be a very powerful tool that can work for us and unfortunately against us. If we tell ourselves that we can't do something then there is a good chance we won't. However if we tell ourselves that no matter how long it takes to get there or however small our steps forward might be we will get there eventually - we will! A part of that is allowing ourselves the opportunities to fail or even fall backwards and using them as learning experiences to keep moving forward. Too often we stumble or struggle and allow doubt to creep in and give up. I want my students to always understand that if they put their mind to something they can get there. I want them to abandon illusions that it will always be an easy road because we all know it won't. Sometimes we might need a break. Sometimes we might fall. Sometimes we might need help or encouragement. All the time we need to persevere and push forward. I want all students to come away with the believe that they can.
As I was reading your post, I couldn't help but think of the grade three female student who told her teacher and me that she's not smart but that she was going to try her best to get smart especially at math because she likes math. She said she needed our help and that she would start by trying to be brave to ask a question at the carpet when she doesn't understand something. Last week she approaches me while at the white board and says that things are starting to get better for her; that she likes when we go slow. Mindset is everything indeed but it's also the courage to change.
ReplyDelete"The courage to change" for BOTH students and teachers. I do believe very strongly that students do have this courage but we don't model this enough in the class. How many times have we let go of a 'planned' activity in class to let students take the lead. Growth mindset is a culture of change.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the personal connection Shannon! My 5 year old is playing with his Lego right now as I type this. I needed to stop watching him because I often get a sense that I need to jump in and help him when he gets frustrated that he can't put a piece together. I literally need to stop myself so he experiences this struggle and problem solves on his own. I know in the long run it will teach him to persevere and more often than not he beams with self-pride when he accomplishes something by himself. When applying this mindset in the classroom, be it math, spelling, collaborative work, I am beginning to see a shift in students' willingness to take risks. As their teacher, I believe it is my role to create a space where they aren't afraid to make mistakes. With that being said, I'm still learning how to let the students take the lead and am beginning to catch myself from giving away too much information. When a child perseveres, be it through guidance, discussion, collaboration, and you see that "Aha!" moment ... It's pretty cool! I wish I had the courage when I was a student to take risks ... I'm just happy now that I'm surrounded by people who push me to think differently about how I teach and have the courage change. #grateful
ReplyDeleteI've experienced that same feeling of wanting to jump in with my first son and my students. After awhile of making the conscious effort not to, it then becomes habit. It takes a great deal of practice and discipline. Working with others with a similar mindset definitely helps!
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