Do you have a fixed mindset or a growth mindset?  Does it depend on the situation?  Do you believe you are born with innate talents and gifts?  Find the answers to these questions and more by checking out the resources below.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your language arts mini spark recording page: #30: Growth Mindset Part 1

2. Watch this video from John Spencer. On your recording sheet record 3-4 details that were new to you, interesting, or sounded important.

3. Watch the 3D animated short short Soar. Write a detailed description of the tiny flying machine, focus on component parts.

4. Respond to 2 of these prompts on your recording sheet after watching the video, Soar.

• A theme is the message or lesson that the author wants you to learn from the story. The theme is often inferred. What themes are present in this animation?
• What did the characters learn?
• Did all the characters learn the same thing?
• How did the characters grow throughout the animation?
• How does this animation fit with what we know about growth vs. fixed mindset?
• What message can we take from this animation and how might it apply to our lives?

5. Read this article, “A Quick Note About Getting Better at Difficult Things”. Record the answers to questions 1-4 on your recording sheet, question 5 is optional.

6. Read the poem, “I PRACTICED” by JonArno Lawson.  Choose 1 of these prompts and respond with 5 sentences.

•  Think of an activity or skill that you have practiced a lot. Why do you practice it? Do you think becoming perfect at a skill should be the goal of practice? Why or why not?
•  Do you think practicing a lot makes you successful? Why doesn’t the speaker succeed at the skill even though they practice all the time?
• In the poem, the speaker describes practicing a new skill, but not doing it. How do you think fear could stop someone from trying a new skill or activity?

7. Share your language arts mini spark recording page with your teacher/EY coordinator.

Check out the Growth or Fixed Mindset Badge at the EY Website

Step 1: Watch this Brain Pop video, Setting SMART Goals for Kids. What does the acronym SMART stand for?

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Step 2: Write down three goals you have for the upcoming year.

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Step 3: Focus in on one goal and complete (or recreate) this graphic organizer.

Enjoy this spark? Try the Go Get Your Goals badge!

Across the country, many teachers and students have transitioned into some form of distance learning. This is a big adjustment for most of us. You probably miss seeing your friends and teachers, going to special events like games and dances and even participating in ordinary parts of the school day, like lunch or short breaks. You might also miss — without realizing it — the routine that school brings to your life.

A school-day schedule helps us structure our time. It tells us when the day begins and ends, and how to spend all the hours in between. The school day builds in time for learning, physical activity and play, creativity, socializing, eating and taking breaks, too. Without this routine, a day at home can feel endless. Luckily, there are steps you can take to create a daily routine that works for you and provides some of the structure you’re missing. You’ll want to make sure your new routine allows you time for both productivity and rest.

Step 1: Read the rest of the Newsela article, Establishing a new routine for distance learning.

Step 2: Create a chart that includes the activities in your morning, afternoon, and evening distance learning routine. You may use a table in Google Docs or create a presentation in Google slides. Include clip art or photos that go along with each part of your day.

AFTERNOON EXAMPLE

Step 3: Post your distance learning routine chart/slides in your home work space to keep you on track and get the most out of your distance learning journey!

November 13th is World Kindness Day but you can celebrate all year long! Complete this mini spark to explore ideas of sharing kindness and making it a daily practice.

Step 1 – Read this article that highlights 20 acts of kindness.

World Kindness Day

Step 2 – Write down 3 things from the list that you can do today!

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Step 3 – Once you have completed your 3 acts of kindness, snap a photo of one of them and send to your EY Coordinator.

In this video, boost your superpowers of calm and focus by breathing as Puffer Fish keeps time. Try playing this mindful game when you are overly excited or are in a meltdown. It is also helpful to play this game when you feel already feel relaxed to build the muscles of calming down in more stressful situations.

1 – Practice Square Breathing by watching this video and following along.

2 – Remember what you learned about square breathing the next time you feel stressed or upset. Share this technique with a friend or family member.

Do you sometimes feel stressed from juggling school, friends, family, and extracurricular activities? If so, don’t worry! You’re not alone. We’ve got you covered! Sal from Khan Academy has recorded a few short meditations to help you relax.

You may be wondering—what is meditation? Why should I do it? Meditation, a simple practice of mindfulness, can help you reduce stress and improve your focus.

1 – Practice by listening to “Guided Meditation for Students” with Sal.

2 – Set some reminders to meditate on your iPad. Maybe begin with a few times a week and eventually find a time each and every day to practice meditation. 

3 – Check back here every so often for a new guided meditation with Sal.

Source: KhanAcademy

1 – Watch this video on Growth Mindset.

This is a story of two seeds – both planted on the same day, in the same soil, in the same garden bed. One has a growth mindset—with a curious desire to grow and reach the outside world—while the other has a fixed mindset—filled with fear and choosing the remain stagnant in its soil.

This video explores the characteristics of a fixed mindset and a growth mindset. It busts the myth of perfection and teaches you to appreciate mistakes and failures. The video explains that fear is a natural universal emotion, how challenges help you grow, and provides tips on how to switch on their growth mindset.

Source: ClickView for Schools

2 – Think of a time that you were challenged and frustrated. What did you do to get through the situation? Write at least a paragraph (on iPad or paper) about this personal experience and what you learned from it. At the end of your paragraph, write some tips for developing a growth mindset.

3 – Keep your story for a reminder when you face your next challenge. If you would like to share your story, email your document or a photo of your written work to your EY Coordinator.