1.17.18 Meeting Summary

The Central New York affiliate of NYS ASCD met at the Liverpool District Office on January 17th, continuing with the theme of mental health that began last year.

Beth Lozier and Sean Fahey from West Genesee Central School District shared some of the research about Growth v. Fixed Mindsets and provided us with some school applications of the research and literature. The research indicates that having a Growth Mindset can have a positive impact on many aspects of student life, including student achievement. Dweck’s Mindset: The New Psychology of Success and Mindsets in the Classroom were mentioned as helpful texts on the topic. Growth mindset believes in “yet.” A short video clip from the movie The Blind Side illustrates a Growth Mindset very effectively. Brain science has determined that the brain continues to grow and adapt -- it is not fixed. Growth Mindset is based on science.

Parents and students can learn about the brain science behind a Growth Mindset, in addition to educators. Mindsets in the Classroom provides mini lessons that can be used with students.

The language we use in schools is often from a fixed paradigm, such as: “You got it… I told you you were smart!” and “Foreign Language is just not your subject.” Report card comments sometimes also reflect a fixed mindset. It’s hard to change the language we use so commonly. Praise language that focuses on effort and process is better than “person praise.” Feedback should be focused on effort, strategies, and persistence.

Some recommended strategies:

Use the neuroscience language, especially during new learning.

Set goals by determining the necessary steps.

Recognize process more than outcomes.

Value work ethic.

Stay calm and growth mindset oriented in the face of setbacks.

Establish a regular time and routine for practice. Provide breaks.

Help your students become curious about errors -- see them as opportunity.

Redirect fixed mindset statements.

Several resources were shared at the meeting, including sample report card comments, an effort rubric, and a recent article from The Atlantic. There are also many connections with the Positivity Project (P2).

We also learned about NYS ASCD’s outreach effort to affiliate chapters as well as hearing about the latest State Ed news.

The next meeting is March 15th at East Hill Elementary School, 401 Blackmore Road, Camillus. The topic is: Anxiety and Children: Increasing Stakeholder Awareness and Responding Appropriately in the School Setting.