Students at Glenwood Elementary School Learn About Growth Mindset

In Mr. Sharp's Art Class, students created a school-wide Growth Mindset mural based on our mascot - Woody, the lion. Students were shown a Powerpoint on Kelsey Montague, an artist who creates murals that invite people to interact with them by having them stand in front of the mural with wings and take a picture. The theme – “What Lifts Them Up?” Students were introduced to growth mindset by telling them that from time to time we all get upset and frustrated with our work, which prevents us from achieving our goal. Students were asked what do they hear themselves and others say when they get frustrated and upset with their work? I can’t do this. This is too hard. I’m not smart enough. I give up. I keep making mistakes. Students were then asked what positive message could they say to themselves or to others to turn their thinking around and lift them up and get them to achieve their goal? I can do this. Mistakes help me learn. I’m on the right track. I’m not going to give up. I’ll put my mind to it. I'll keep at it. Students were then asked to select one phrase that they wished to use in a design. Since our mascot does not have wings as in Kelsey Montague’s work, but instead is a lion, students were asked to help create a part of the hair in the lion’s mane. Each student drew a long tear drop type shape to represent a hair or section of the mane. On the painted shape they wrote their growth mindset message and added pattern. Afterwards, the lion was assembled and displayed in the hallway. We will continue to refer to our growth mindset way of thinking throughout the year.

Shown in the picture left to right are students: Leo Xi, Leah Ajisafe, Chase Hamilton, and Amna Irfan.