In EDLD 5318, we are given the opportunity to create a course in any LMS (Learning Management System) we choose. Below is the first draft of my plan for the course.
It is helpful to use backwards design such as Fink’s 3-column course map to plan so we know where we are working toward. The Fink’s 3-column course map provides learners with what the course will require of them. It also allows students to take ownership over meeting the course expectations It will also be helpful to establish goals and objectives to help students understand what is to be learned since they won’t have someone in person guiding their every move as they learn. I plan to use Google Classroom and I may try to incorporate a Google Site into the classroom so the resources can be shared with teachers and parents, not just students in my class.
Look below for the basic introduction, learning goals, desired result, and audience, and brief course outline.
Introduction
In this course, students will explore the growth mindset and discover how it can be developed to help students make sense of the world through mathematics and other areas of life. Students will first be introduced to the growth mindset and its importance. Then, students will compare the growth mindset and fixed mindset and learn which mindset they personally most identify with. Students will then be equipped with 5 steps to developing a growth mindset to keep in mind while they develop SMART goals for math class and life. Students will be provided with the opportunity to reflect and describe a time they worked hard to overcome a struggle. All of these components will be combined to create a growth mindset plan that students can use to work toward their goals. At the end of the course, students will be provided with a real-world experience that requires them to remember what they have learned as they work on a challenging math problem. To finish off the experience, students will take home questions to reflect on with their families regarding fixed and growth mindset.
Learning Goals
1. Learners will understand what a growth mindset is. Learners will make the connection between brain growth and a growth mindset. Learners will be able to explain the importance of a growth mindset while learning mathematics. Learners will comprehend the difference and similarities between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset. Learners will exhibit joy while learning something new. Students will need to identify if they have a growth mindset or a fixed mindset about mathematics. Learners will learn how to manage their time best through organizational skills.
2. Learners should see the relationship between a growth mindset and improvement in a skill. Learners will connect their growth mindset to their personal lives. Learners will learn how to independently set SMART goals to help them accomplish larger goals
3. Students will need to interpret and analyze data that supports the development of a growth mindset. Students will be required to create or find a real-world example of when it would have been helpful to have a growth mindset.
4. Students will need to learn how to manage their mindset and work to grow their brains. Students will be able to learn about choices they make and how what they think (their mindset) can affect their learning/ successes. Learners will learn how to use the growth mindset to retrain their brains (change fixed mindset to growth mindset). Learners will learn steps to take to combat a fixed mindset.
5. Learners will exhibit appreciation for the nature of learning new topics in mathematics. Learners should be able to understand the benefit to creating a growth mindset plan for themselves individually. Learners will discover how to be better stewards of their talents and skills with the growth mindset. Learners will use the growth mindset to help them make informed decisions in their lives. Students will create a presentation regarding a real-world application of the growth mindset while interacting with a low floor, high ceiling math problem.
Desired Results
Learners will be able to:
- Recognize the important, real-world purpose of the growth mindset and conceptually understand the importance of it while making sense of the world and the struggles they experience while learning in school and extracurriculars.
- Use the knowledge to make informed decisions and goals (one mathematical and one personal) for their lives.
- Be equipped with a Growth Mindset plan that incorporates strategies for working toward goals while combating a fixed mindset.
- Prepare for and excel with challenging experiences and problems by retraining their brains to have a growth mindset.
Audience
- Students: 120 students, 6 class periods
- Secondary level, 7th grade and 6th grade
- 45-minute class periods Monday- Thursday, Friday’s classes are 33 minutes in the morning and 45 minutes in the afternoon.
- Delivery method: asynchronous course
- The classroom is a standard general education classrooms
- We have one-to-one Chromebooks with updated Wifi for in-person students. Virtual students will be connected to their personal Wifi Networks of varying strength and connectivity issues.
My Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG) for the course is:
Students will explore the growth mindset and discover how it can be developed to help students make sense of the world through mathematics and other areas of life.
Standards:
6th grade
6.2 Learning process standards. The student uses mathematical processes to acquire and demonstrate mathematical understanding, demonstrating the mental habits of precise, determined, careful, and accurate questioning, inquiry, and reasoning.*
- 6.2A apply mathematics to problems arising in everyday life, society, and the workplace
- 6.2B use a problem-solving model that incorporates analyzing given information, formulating a plan or strategy, determining a solution, justifying the solution, and evaluating the problem-solving process and the reasonableness of the solution
- 6.2C exhibit joy at solving difficult mathematical problems and operations*
7th grade
7.2 Learning process standards. The student uses mathematical processes to acquire and demonstrate mathematical understanding, demonstrating the mental habits of precise, determined, careful, and accurate questioning, inquiry, and reasoning.*
- 7.2A apply mathematics to problems arising in everyday life, society, and the workplace
- 7.2B use a problem-solving model that incorporates analyzing given information, formulating a plan or strategy, determining a solution, justifying the solution, and evaluating the problem-solving process and the reasonableness of the solution
- 7.2C exhibit habits of thinking quantitatively and in an orderly manner, especially through immersion in mathematical observations found within creation*
- 7.2F exhibit appreciation for the ongoing nature of mathematical inquiry and develop lines of inquiry to understand why things are true and why they are false*
Outline:
3 Column Table
BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal) – Overarching Course Goal
Students will explore the growth mindset and discover how it can be developed to help students make sense of the world through mathematics and other areas of life.
| Learning Goals | Learning Activities | Assessment Activities |
| Building a Foundation:Learners will understand what a growth mindset is. Learners will make the connection between brain growth and a growth mindset.Learners will be able to explain the importance of a growth mindset while learning mathematics.Learners will comprehend the difference and similarities between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset.Learners will exhibit joy while learning something new.Learners will exhibit appreciation for the nature of learning new topics in mathematics. | Youtube Videos Using a Venn Diagram | Flipgrid video Independent Venn Diagram Activity |
| Applying Knowledge: Students will need to interpret and analyze data that supports the development of a growth mindset.Students will create a growth mindset plan to help them carry out the training their brain must undergo to move towards a growth mindset regarding various topics.Students will need to identify if they have a growth mindset or a fixed mindset about mathematics. Students will be required to create or find a real-world example of when it would have been helpful to have a growth mindset.Students will certainly need to learn how to manage their mindset and work to grow their brains. | Youtube Videos Student questionnaire Activity Create SMART goals | Students write a story and share it with cohort Turn in final copy of SMART goals |
| Integration:Learners should see the relationship between a growth mindset and improvement in a skill.Learners will connect their growth mindset to their personal lives.Learners should be able to understand the benefit to creating a growth mindset plan for themselves individually. | Discussion via discussion board/ Flipgrid response SMART Goals creation | Assessment Reflect on how the 5 steps will support students as they work towards their SMART goals.. |
| Human Dimension:Students will be able to learn about choices they make and how what they think (their mindset) can affect their learning/ successes. Learners will discover how to be better stewards of their talents and skills with the growth mindset. | Conversations/Discussion post Discussion/ interview with family. | Reflection on discussions and conversations with classmates. |
| Learning How to Learn:Learners will learn how to manage their time best through organizational skills.Learners will use the growth mindset to help them make informed decisions in their lives.Learners will learn how to use the growth mindset to retrain their brains (change fixed mindset to growth mindset).Learners will learn steps to take to combat a fixed mindset. Learners will learn how to independently set SMART goals to help them accomplish larger goals.Students will create a presentation regarding a real-world application of the growth mindset while interacting with a low floor, high ceiling math problem. | Using student Google Classroom Calendar/ agendas Feedback/ discussion from classmates regarding presentation Project planning pages Activity Page | Final “project” summative assessment Growth Mindset Plan (graded with rubric) Reflection on Activity Page |
Session 1:
Part 1
Neuroplasticity Video by Sentis
Growing your Mind by Khan Academy
Students complete questionnaires from p. 12 from Mindset. The new psychology of success by Carol Dweck. Self Efficacy Formative Questionnaire or Dweck Mindset Instrument
Students then respond to Flipgrid video of me leading students through the questions and sharing results with a phrase that describes how they felt while choosing their mindset.
Part 2
Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset by Sprouts
EdPuzzle on Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset
Using a Venn Diagram, students will click and drag fixed mindset vs. growth mindset statements.
Embed Seesaw Venn Diagram (Create Account and Embed Activity)
Session 2:
Flipgrid video recording of students- students share out the name of their favorite athlete and the reason for his/ her career success.
5 Steps to a Growth Mindset (find resource ideal for mathematics/ middle school students)
Growth Mindset Plan (Introduce Activity)
Discussion Post- Students share out some goals they want to achieve (one in math class and one outside of school) and how they will achieve their goals.
SMART Goal video. Students fill in Google Doc Worksheet prompting students through SMART goal steps.
Session 3:
SMART Goals due.
Discussion Post- How does growth mindset affect school performance?
Newslea Activity (Does SMS have access?)
The Power of Belief- Mindset and Success by TEDx Talks
Flipgrid video of story teacher experienced working hard to get good at something.
Students create story of a past time they worked hard/ overcame a struggle. Students can choose Google Doc, Google Slides, Flipgrid to share the idea.
Share / Brainstorm Strategies for when we struggle (Flipgrid Video written responses or monitored Padlet).
Session 4:
Story of Struggle is due.
Revisit 5 Steps to a Growth Mindset (find resource ideal for mathematics/ middle school students)
Students will create a Growth Mindset Plan with the provided template. Students further develop their growth mindset plan by identifying how they will achieve their two SMART goals and reflect on how the 5 steps will be necessary as they work toward their goals.
Session 5:
Turn in Growth Mindset Plan
Students are exposed to a math problem from Mindset Mathematics by Jo Boaler where they have to use skills they just discussed to maintain a growth mindset.
Reflection on experience in Flipgrid. Students respond to one more video (can be a message or video response).
Share about experience with family/ family interview about fixed vs. growth mindset.
Education with Meaning 