Ms. Hancock's Fabulous Firsties!: Growth Mindset and The Dot by Peter Reynolds

Mindset is a simple idea discovered by world-renowned Stanford University psychologist Carol Dweck in decades of research on achievement and success—a simple idea that makes all the difference.

In a fixed mindset, people believe their basic qualities, like their intelligence or talent, are simply fixed traits. They spend their time documenting their intelligence or talent instead of developing them. They also believe that talent alone creates success—without effort. They’re wrong.

In a growth mindset, people believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work—brains and talent are just the starting point. This view creates a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment. Virtually all great people have had these qualities.

We learned about Growth Mindset as we read the book:

The Dot by Peter Reynolds

The Dot is a beautiful story about a girl named Vashti who is encouraged by her teacher to take a risk. Vashti does not believe she can draw. She is filled with self-doubt until her teacher gently persuades her to, “just make a mark and see where it takes you.” This inspirational story shows how one reluctant learner gains self-esteem with just one dot.

Following the story I asked the children to make a picture, design, pattern or whatever they wanted to create with dot stickers.

Next the children water painted over the dot stickers:

This video helped us understand the Power of YET!
When I hear a student say "I can't..." I have taught them to end the statement with YET!

While their masterpieces were drying, the children completed the following worksheet about Growth Mindset. They needed to write about 3 things that they can do, and one thing they can't do...YET!

We discussed how the little girl in the story, Vashti didn't think she could draw. However, she was encouraged to start small, with just one mark on the paper and she became an amazing artist!