Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset Activity - Freebie Finding Mom - Free Printable

It looks like you've uploaded a worksheet titled "I CAN TRAIN MY BRAIN", which is designed to help students develop a growth mindset—the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort, good strategies, and persistence.

The worksheet has two columns:

- "What I Should Tell My Brain" – positive, growth-oriented thoughts.
- "What I Should NOT Tell My Brain" – negative, fixed-mindset thoughts.

Below the table, there are several statements. The task is likely to sort these statements into the correct column based on whether they reflect a growth mindset (should tell your brain) or a fixed mindset (should not tell your brain).

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Let's analyze each statement:

1. "Learning is fun!"
- ✔ This is a positive, encouraging thought.
- It promotes engagement and enjoyment in learning.
- ➤ Should Tell My Brain

2. "I am not that smart."
- ✘ This is a fixed mindset statement. It labels ability as unchangeable.
- ➤ NOT Tell My Brain

3. "I'll try a different strategy."
- ✔ Shows flexibility and problem-solving.
- Reflects a growth mindset: trying new approaches when something doesn't work.
- ➤ Should Tell My Brain

4. "This is too hard for me, so I give up."
- ✘ Gives up easily when challenged.
- Fixed mindset thinking.
- ➤ NOT Tell My Brain

5. "I will keep working hard."
- ✔ Emphasizes effort and persistence.
- Key trait of a growth mindset.
- ➤ Should Tell My Brain

6. "I will fail all my tests."
- ✘ Pessimistic and self-defeating.
- Assumes failure without effort.
- ➤ NOT Tell My Brain

7. "I believe in myself."
- ✔ Encourages confidence and self-efficacy.
- Growth mindset:相信自己能成长和成功。
- ➤ Should Tell My Brain

8. "I can't do hard work."
- ✘ Avoids challenge; implies inability.
- Fixed mindset.
- ➤ NOT Tell My Brain

9. "I'll learn how to do this."
- ✔ Focuses on learning and mastery.
- Growth mindset: focuses on process and improvement.
- ➤ Should Tell My Brain

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Final Answer (Fill-in-the-Table):

| What I Should Tell My Brain | What I Should NOT Tell My Brain |
|-----------------------------|----------------------------------|
| Learning is fun! | I am not that smart. |
| I'll try a different strategy. | This is too hard for me, so I give up. |
| I will keep working hard. | I will fail all my tests. |
| I believe in myself. | I can't do hard work. |
| I'll learn how to do this. | |

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Explanation:

This activity helps students recognize self-talk and understand how their internal dialogue affects their learning. By choosing empowering thoughts ("I'll try a different strategy") over limiting ones ("I'm not smart"), students build resilience and a growth mindset—key components of academic success and personal development.

✔ Key Takeaway: Encourage students to reframe negative thoughts into positive, effort-based beliefs. For example:
> Instead of "I can't do this," say "I can't do this *yet*."

This small shift fosters perseverance and lifelong learning.