Mindset is a big deal in our classroom – really in our entire building! I love that our school encourages us to teach kids to be aware of their own thinking and feelings. We’re always looking for new activities for growth mindset. From kindergarten on, children in our building are using the words empathy, resilience, persistence, flexibility and optimism as if they’re just normal everyday words. By the time they get to me in 2nd grade, these big, adult-like words just flow out of their mouths during everyday discussions, book talks and even student conflicts. It’s crazy to see!
So how do you teach such huge, important concepts to such tiny people? Well, you can start with reading the book A Mindset for Learning, by Kristine Mraz and Christine Hertz. They give a true understanding of what empathy, resilience, persistence, optimism and flexibility mean AND what using them should look like in a classroom. These ladies know what they’re talking about! You can find the book HERE if you’d like to check it out.
As each year begins, it’s important to find activities for growth mindset that are engaging and fun that keeps the kids up and moving. You also want activities that include collaboration so the class can begin getting to know each other and start building a community.
This is why Breakout Boxes are PERFECT!
There are 4 boxes in total. Each box is left as a challenge for the class by “Mindset Man”. They get so excited to find out when the next box will show up!
The sneaky, secret deliverer of each box is this guy: Mindset Man.
I like to leave a little sticky note of encouragement from Mindset Man on the front of the envelope.
In each box he challenges the class to work together as a team to break into the box. In order to do that, they have a set of tasks that they must complete. After completing each task, they will get a clue for where in the room the next task is hidden.
After solving the final task, they receive the code (or key) to see what’s in the box! I like to use a backlight marker to write the code on the final card. You should see their faces when you pull out the code card they’ve worked so hard for and it’s blank! Surprisingly, it doesn’t take long for them to inform me that they flashlight found with the card is a black light flashlight and will make the code appear.
So what IS in the box?
1. Each escape room / breakout box activity includes a mindset stance card revealing the focus for that box. They look like this:
2. Each activity also includes badges / brag tags for each mindset stance along with a page to collect these on.
After that, it’s up to you! I like to put a book that relates to that particular mindset stance. That way we can read it later in the week in order to revisit what we learned. It’s so easy to make these activities for growth mindset fun! Here are some other ideas for each mindset stance box:
Empathy:
1. Anything with emojis on it – erasers, bracelets, stickers, etc
2. Anything with a heart on it
Persistence/Resilience:
1. bouncy balls
Optimism:
1. Glow sticks or bracelets
2. Anything bright or neon
Flexibility:
1. bubble gum or any stretchy candy
2. bendable straws
3. putty or slime – anything stretchy
I hope this post got you excited to teach fun, hands-on activities for growth mindset in your classroom! It’s such an important skill set that your students will use in all areas of life for years to come.
If you want to skip creating your own activity and want to use our Mindset Escape Room Breakout Boxes, you can our our Grace Over Grades Membership HERE!
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