Using Positive Affirmations to Promote Growth Mindset

One of the best things I started in my classroom was teaching about Growth Mindset.  My students are really loving it, and I'm loving hearing them using what they've learned in their conversations with their friends.  (Just today, I overheard one of my students tell another, "I'm making progress.")!!!!!!!

growth-mindset-positive-affirmations

growth-mindset-positive-affirmations

Basically, students with a Growth Mindset believe that their talents can be developed through hard work.  They don't believe their abilities are set in stone, and are therefore more likely to achieve greater goals than students with a fixed mindset. 

Right now, my growth mindset lessons consist of me introducing our positive affirmation of the the week, and reading a book that demonstrates that affirmation.  After the book and a short discussion, we make a circle on the carpet.  I ask a question pertaining to themselves and the affirmation, and then we take turns answering the question around the circle.  For example after reading the book Whistle for Willie to go along with the affirmation, "I work hard and try my best", I asked the students, "What is something you can work hard on today?" 

We review the affirmation throughout the day, and only have one per week so we can really concentrate on it.  I have all of the affirmations I want to use hole punched and bound with ribbon so I can just flip to the one I want to use and hang it up to display.

growth-mindset-positive-affirmations

I also wanted something the students could take home to show their parents so they could talk about what we'd been learning.  I created these student response sheets so they could easily draw or write about themselves and the affirmation.
Positive affirmations for a Growth Mindset - Student Response Sheets


These half-page posters and student response sheets can be found in my Teachers Pay Teachers store.
Positive Affirmations for a Growth Mindset


I also shrunk all of my Positive Affirmation posters to mini-size, and I tape the affirmation we are learning that week to the top of this little mirror.  We then pass it around the circle and each child repeats the affirmation as they look at themselves in the mirror. 
growth-mindset-positive-affirmations

growth-mindset-positive-affirmations




As I find new amazing books, I will be adding them to my lessons, but for now, here is a list of all of the affirmations and accompanying books I am currently using in my classroom.
(with affiliate links)

(Or you can click here to be taken to my Amazon store.)

“I can do hard things.”
The Dot, by Peter Reynolds

“Mistakes help me learn.”
The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes, by Mark Pett and Gary Rubinstein
Beautiful Oops, by Barney Saltzberg
The Book of Mistakes, by Corinna Luyken

“I work hard and try my best.”
Whistle for Willie, by Ezra Jack Keats

“I get better every day.”
The OK Book, by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

“I make good choices.” 
or 
"I have the power to choose."
What Should Danny Do?, by Ganit and Adir Levy
What Should Danny Do? School Day, by Ganit and Adir Levy

“I am brave.”
I Am Brave, by Suzy Capozzi
Jabari Jumps, by Gaia Cornwall
When You Are Brave, by Pat Zietlow Miller

“I am a problem solver.”
“I try new things.”
The Koala Who Could, by Rachel Bright
The Thing Lou Couldn’t Do, by Ashley Spires

“I spread kindness everywhere I go.”
I Am Kind, by Suzy Capozzi
The Caring Me I Want To Be, by Mary DiPalermo
Kindness is Cooler, Mrs. Ruler, by Margery Cuyler
Pass It On, by Sophy Henn 
Be Kind, by Pat Zietlow Miller 

“I am a good friend.”
Stick and Stone, by Beth Ferry
How Full is Your Bucket?, by Tom Rath
A Book of Friends, by Dave Ross
The Giving Tree, by Shel Silverstein
The Rainbow Fish, by Marcus Pfister
Llama Llama Time to Share, by Anna Dewdney
Little Critter, I Am Helping, by Mercer Mayer
Strictly No Elephants, by Lisa Mantchev


“I have a positive attitude.”
Be Happy, by Monica Sheehan
Boys Don't Fly, by Ryan Ehrenberg

“I do the right thing even when no one is watching.”
What if Everybody Did That?, by Ellen Javernick

“I can handle it!”
I Can Handle It, by Laurie Wright
When Sophie Gets Angry, By Molly Bang

“Feedback helps me grow.”
Thanks for the Feedback, by Julia Cook

“I won’t quit until I’m proud.”
The Most Magnificent Thing, by Ashley Spires
The Carrot Seed, by Ruth Krauss
How to Catch a Star, by Oliver Jeffers

“I don’t have to be perfect, I just have to try.”
Ish, by Peter Reynolds

“I have self-control.”
My Mouth is a Volcano, by Julia Cook
My Words Roar!, by Mary DiPalermo
Stay Cool at School, by Lori Lite

“I listen to my heart.”

“I can overcome challenges.”
After the Fall, by Dan Santat
When Sophie Thinks She Can't..., by Molly Bang



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