Growth Mindset Class Activities for K-8 Students by Jessica Zimmerman

Mindset Survey

jlrobe10 — 2024-09-16 22:31:42 UTC

Students take a brief survey on iPads to assess their current mindset. After completing the survey, discuss the results as a class and introduce the concept of growth vs. fixed mindset.

Brain Plasticity Demonstration

jlrobe10 — 2024-09-16 22:31:42 UTC

Use a pipe cleaner to represent neurons in the brain. Show how learning creates new connections by twisting and bending the pipe cleaner. Have students create their own brain models using pipe cleaners.

Growth Mindset Charades

jlrobe10 — 2024-09-16 22:31:42 UTC

Write various scenarios on sticky notes (e.g., 'struggling with math homework', 'learning to ride a bike'). Students act out the scenario and how they would approach it with a growth mindset.

Failure Résumé

jlrobe10 — 2024-09-16 22:31:42 UTC

Older students create a 'failure résumé' on their iPads using Keynote, highlighting challenges they've faced and what they learned from each experience.

Growth Mindset Superhero

jlrobe10 — 2024-09-16 22:31:42 UTC

Students design and draw their own 'Growth Mindset Superhero' using art supplies. The superhero should have powers that represent growth mindset qualities (e.g., 'Persistence Power', 'Mistake Eraser').

Before and After Skills Collage

jlrobe10 — 2024-09-16 22:31:42 UTC

Create a two-part collage showing 'before' (when they couldn't do something) and 'after' (when they learned to do it) using magazines and art supplies.

Growth Mindset Jar

jlrobe10 — 2024-09-16 22:31:42 UTC

Decorate a jar and fill it with popsicle sticks. On each stick, write a growth mindset phrase or affirmation. Students can pull a stick when they need motivation.

Dear Future Self Letter

jlrobe10 — 2024-09-16 22:31:43 UTC

Students write a letter to their future selves about a skill they want to improve or a goal they want to achieve. Include steps they'll take and how they'll overcome challenges.

Growth Mindset Journal

jlrobe10 — 2024-09-16 22:31:43 UTC

Start a daily or weekly journal where students reflect on their learning experiences, challenges faced, and strategies used to overcome them.

Reframe the Statement

jlrobe10 — 2024-09-16 22:31:43 UTC

Provide a list of fixed mindset statements. Students rewrite each statement to reflect a growth mindset perspective in their notebooks.

Growth Mindset Video Gallery

jlrobe10 — 2024-09-16 22:31:44 UTC

Curate a collection of short videos showcasing examples of growth mindset in action. After watching, students discuss the videos in small groups and share their insights.

Digital Vision Board

jlrobe10 — 2024-09-16 22:31:45 UTC

Using Keynote on iPads, students create digital vision boards representing their goals and the growth mindset strategies they'll use to achieve them.

Podcast Interview

jlrobe10 — 2024-09-16 22:31:45 UTC

Students pair up and conduct mock podcast interviews using iPads. One student is the 'expert' on growth mindset, while the other asks questions about overcoming challenges and developing resilience.

Give Students This Growth Mindset Quiz

jlrobe10 — 2024-09-16 22:35:12 UTC

Elementary or Junior High Students Could Complete This

reneeb2 — 2025-06-27 23:40:47 UTC

This is a collection of STEM activities to build a growth mindset. It might be tricky at first, but each activity really shows them the power of "yet" and gives them a chance to really problem solve.

Success Iceburg

2025-07-09 02:26:50 UTC

"A success iceberg is a picture of how people usually see success. People mainly see the iceberg's tip, which is the outcome of their efforts and hard work, but they seldom ever notice the failures, setbacks, disappointments, and attitudes that lie beneath it. Kids and teenagers can benefit from using this downloadable Success Iceberg Poster as a motivating tool and reminder. It shows some of the fundamental traits and practices of successful people who have a growth mindset."

Growth Mindset Resource

2025-09-25 18:05:06 UTC

Student Reflective Journal

jlrobe10 — 2025-12-26 02:12:19 UTC

2026-01-18 23:50:42 UTC

2026-01-18 23:51:41 UTC

Class Dojo

2026-03-12 19:37:20 UTC

There are videos and lessons on Class Dojo that teach Growth Mindset, and the students really enjoy them.

Growth mindset activities

sdinclan — 2026-03-21 23:15:37 UTC

One that stuck out to me on here was the "rewrite your own story". Students write a real experience that did not end like they wanted. They then rewrite it adding "if only I had" where they show what they could have done and the new end result. This shows kids they may have not accomplished what they wanted-but they can always try again-reflecting on what changes they can make to reach their goal!

Growth Mindset k-2

2026-05-26 17:59:28 UTC

After watching this video give students examples of things kids say and have them decide if they reflect a growth or fixed mindset.

Growth Mindset Game - Free on TPT

2026-06-15 05:42:35 UTC