MINDSET RESOURCE

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Growth Mindset
2 SHORT PASSAGES

1 NONFICTION AND 1 FICTION PASSAGE

These 2 passages are a
part of the Growth
Mindset 20 Passages
resource.
The foll owing passa ges
are incl uded in the
larger Growth Mindset
20 Passa ges resource. Click here to see it in my store.
 research About
Growth mindset
Growth mindset
A growth mindset is a belief system that suggests that one’s
intelligence can be grown or developed with persistence, effort, and
focus on learning.

Learners with a growth mindset believe that they can learn anything.
It might take some struggle and some failure, but they understand
that with effort and perseverance, they can succeed.

The focus of a growth mindset is on an individual’s learning, not on

looking smart.

fixed Minset
A fixed mindset is a belief system that suggests that a person has a
predetermined amount of intelligence, skills, or talents.

For those students who struggle or do not perceive themselves as

smart, a fixed mindset will only further set them back. Because they
don’t believe that they can be successful, they will often give up and
not put forth the effort.

For those students who are advanced learners, they can become
consumed with “looking smart” at all costs. They may have coasted
through school without really putting forth much effort, yet they are
often praised for their good grades and strong skills. Usually,
advanced learners with a fixed mindset will start avoiding situations
where he/she may fail.

Source: Ricci, Mary Cay. Mindset in the Classroom.

Waco: Prufrock Press Inc., 2013. Print. © A Grace-Filled Classroom 2019
 a Growth mindset
learning environment
things to think
about
What you say and do with your class will carry a lot of
weight as to whether or not they develop a growth mindset.

The following are ideas to help you ensure you’re fostering a

growth mindset learning environment.

• Believe that all students can achieve at high levels.

• Give equitable access to advanced learning experiences
for all students.
• Believe in the ability to develop intelligence; explain to
students that the brain can grow and make stronger
connections.
• Instruct students on cultivating perseverance, resiliency,
grit, and persistence. (This is ongoing. Each new challenge
might require it from them.)
• Base feedback/praise on effort, process, and strategies
used.
• Look at failure in a positive light. What can be learned
from the error?
• Give students opportunities to set their own goal and
reflect on the outcome.
• Display student work that shows growth, redos, and
corrections.

Source: Ricci, Mary Cay. Mindset in the Classroom.

Waco: Prufrock Press Inc., 2013. Print. © A Grace-Filled Classroom 2019
 getting started
Teacher support

Use the passage on the following page to get your students

started with understanding growth mindset! I would
encourage you to read it whole class and use the guiding
questions as discussion topics.

I’ve also included books down below that I would

recommend as additional Growth Mindset resources for your
class.

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© A Grace-Filled Classroom 2019
 Growth mindset
passages
Table of contents The fiction passages support the
message of the nonfiction texts.

Highlighted passages are

included in this FREE resource.

page page
#
Nonfiction Passage #
Fictional Passage

1 Your Brain is Awesome 11 Getting Lost in New York

What if Superheroes Gave Up

2 Strengthen Your Brain 12
(poem)

The Truth about Math

3 Effort 13
Homework

A “Beary” Big Mess (comic strip

4 Make More Mistakes 14
style)

5 Power of Yet 15 Captain Yet

Engineering Champion
6 Take the Challenge 16
(interview)

7 Don’t be Afraid of Feedback 17 Mimi Moose Bakes a Pie

8 Thomas Edison Failed Big Time 18 Thanks Mr. Edison

9 Encouraging Others 19 Encouraging Stamina

Your Brain Believes What You

10 20 mateo’s self-talk
Think and Say
© A Grace-Filled Classroom 2019
 Growth Mindset

Kids who have a growth mindset understand that their talents and
abilities can be developed through effort, learning and
persistence. They believe everyone can get better and smarter if
they work at it.

Fixed Mindset

Kids who have a fixed mindset believe their basic abilities, their
intelligence, and their talents, are just fixed traits that cannot grow
and improve.

The more you learn about your mindset and 


how your brain works, the better you will be able 

to have a growth mindset.

Source: Brock, Annie, and Hundley, Heather. The Growth

Mindset Coach. Berkley: Ulysses Press, 2016. Print. © A Grace-Filled Classroom 2019
 Your Brain is Awesome
Nonfiction Text
Directions: Read the informational text below and answer the questions.

A human brain is awesome because it is always I can grow

changing. Every time that you learn something new stronger.
your brain grows and gets stronger.
Our brain is made up of brain cells called neurons.
We have billions of neurons, some connect, and
some are floating around.
When learning something for the first time, like
riding a bike or learning your facts, the connections
of the neurons are weak. But the more effort you give
and the more you stick with the learning, the stronger
the connections grow. With time, neurons that were
once weak get stronger.
Strong neuron connections mean your brain can
send messages faster. It means you have a clearer
understanding and the new learning isn’t new
anymore!
4. In the picture above, the brain is
1. According to the text, why is your
getting stronger. What are you
brain awesome?
learning in class that you would like to
strengthen your brain on?
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
2. From the text, neurons means
a. new brain
__________________________
b. floating brains
c. brain cells
__________________________
3. Reread the text. Highlight or
underline how you can make strong __________________________
connections in your brain.

page 1 © A Grace-Filled Classroom 2019

 Getting Lost in New York
Directions: Read the short story below and answer the questions.

Keisha and her family had moved to New York over

the summer. She liked to visit the museum, stop by the
deli for a sandwich and then go to the park to eat.
However, there were so many buildings and so many
streets that Keisha still had to use a map to find her
way around. “I’m always getting lost in the city,” she
complained to her mom.
“Don’t worry, sweetie. One day, you’ll be able to
walk these streets blindfolded,” her mom replied. “Give
your brain time to make those connections."
Keisha started school and didn’t have much time to
enjoy the city. One weekend, her cousin, Maya, came
to visit. Keisha showed her the whole city. They went to
the museum, the zoo, the toy shop, the park, and even
her favorite deli. “Wow, I would get lost in this city,”
exclaimed Maya. “How do you do it?”
Keisha looked up at her cousin with wide-eyes. She
realized she had guided Maya through the whole
town and never got lost! Her brain had finally made
strong connections!

1. Why does Keisha get lost in the city? 5. The text says, “Her brain had finally
made strong connections.” What does
that mean? Use evidence from the
__________________________ text to support your answer.

__________________________ __________________________
2. Highlight or underline Keisha’s
favorite places to visit.
__________________________

3. What advice does Keisha’s mom __________________________

give her.
__________________________ __________________________
__________________________
__________________________
4. What did the girls do together?
a. Go to the museum __________________________
b. Visit the deli
c. Go to the park
d. All of the above
page 11 © A Grace-Filled Classroom 2019
 hello
I’m Laura and it is my goal to help teachers,
that have a passion for teaching, to
encourage their students’ hearts and minds.

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