THE SCIENCE OF GROWTHPart 2

•2nd BIG IDEA•1. Emotional Integration

2. NEUROGENESIS

ADOPTION STUDY 4-6 yr olds

•IQ IS NOT FIXED!

•TEACHERS

•CHANGE

•BRAINS!

•FIXED AND

•GROWTH

•MINDSETS

• My intelligence is a fixed trait - I have a certain amount and that’s it. [“So I worry about how much I have. I must look clever at all costs.”]

• I feel clever when things are easy, where I put in little effort and outperform my peers.

[“Effort and difficulty call y intelligence into question, so I feel stupid.”]

• I need easy successes to feel clever. [“Challenges threaten my self-esteem, so I won’t engage in them.”]

• I don’t want to have my inadequacies and errors revealed. [“I will withdraw from valuable learning opportunities if I think this might happen.”]

• Even if I’m doing well initially, I won’t be able to cope with a problem or obstacle. [“I really disengage from tasks when obstacles occur.”]

Characteristics of a ‘Fixed’ Mindset

• Intelligence is something I can increase through my own efforts. [“I am keen to work hard and learn as much as I can.”]

• I acknowledge that there are differences between people in how much they know and how quickly they master things.

[“I believe everyone with effort and guidance can increase their intellectual abilities.]

• I love to learn something new. [“I will forego the chance to look clever in favour of learning something new.”]

• I am excited by challenge. [“I throw myself into difficult tasks and stick with them. I set goals and make sure when I have strategies to reach them.”]

• I feel clever when... [I am fully engaged with a new task, exerting effort to master something , stretching my skills and putting my knowledge to good use. eg. helping other pupils learn.”]

“Active Learning Through Formative Assessment” by Shirley Clarke Hodder Education

Characteristics of a ‘Growth’ Mindset

YR 6 Angi Gibson Tyneside, England

Initial evaluation September 2006:

• 18% had a growth mindset• 11% were borderline and • 71% were fixed.

Case Study

“We need to transform ‘difficulty’ into ‘new or deeper learning’ and

avoid expressing sympathy when children encounter failure or

difficulty. We need to show enthusiasm about challenging tasks

and ensure that failure is followed up by celebration of what has

been learnt by the experience, in terms of new strategies needed.

By doing this we help ensure that challenge and effort are things

that enhance self-esteem rather than threaten it.”

Shirley Clarke

Modelling a GROWTH Mindset

Techniques:

1. Build self-esteem and belief in self-ability

2. Reinforce and encourage steps of learning

3. Celebrate an awareness of self-recognition

Case Study

Strategies:• Peer teaching• Meaningful praise• Highlighted how the wrong answer is a positive thing - something to learn from.• More pupil talk• Increased belonging, self-worth and importance• Problem-solving/ mind-mapping • Higher order questioning• Collecting facts before making judgements• Regular post-analysis of work• Goal setting• Parent information• Teach how to assess own work• Music for mood and atmosphere• Talk about emotions during learning• Teach relaxation (& brain gym)• Celebrate all successes...

Case Study

YR 6 Angi Gibson

In January 2007, (3 months later) Retested:

• 85% growth mindset• 4% borderline• 11% fixed

Case Study Results

Impact on Learners...

“The effect of this on their learning was phenomenal. Most totally tuned into learning – hungry for it. They were no longer just content with finishing a piece of work – it had to challenge them…. Their confidence and self-belief was overwhelming and they were not scared of challenges any more – they were welcoming them.”

‘Active Learning Through Formative Assessment’ by Shirley Clarke p 28

NOTES TO SELF: [These things promote Neurogenesis]

• Provide enrichment [Variety is the magic key]

[multi-senses, novelty, challenge & feedback, nutrition

positive social bonding]

NOTES TO SELF: [Implications for my teaching]

• Provide enrichment

• Physical activity

6000

5000

4000

3000

2000

1000

0

with exericse without exercise

5000

4000

3000

2000

1000

0

Experiment Shows Exercise Doubles Production of New Brain

Cells

NOTES TO SELF: [Implications for my teaching]

• Provide enrichment

• Physical activity

• Reduce stress

How much can environments affect brain structure?

Effects of acute environmental stress on growth of new neurons

Bars = Number of New Neurons

Normal Stressed

3500

3000

2500

2000

1500

NOTES TO SELF: [Implications for my teaching]

• Emphasize deep focus [critical thinking]

eg. The intellectual rubberband

• Provide challenge, feedback and novelty

• Provide meaning and relevance to learning tasks

• Chunk knowledge [multiple pathways]

• Provide enrichment

• Physical activity

• Reduce stress / provide good nutrition

Arrange SUCCESSES for them.

We teach CHILDREN, not subjects.

CELEBRATE them

In CONTENTIn PROCESS

•“It’s not one single strategy, its not a single great day or activity that creates success stories. It’s the aggregate of relentless, sustained, positive, enriching, skill-building that transforms students.”

•Eric Jensen

•“Do not neglect your gift... be diligent in these matters, give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.”

•1 Tim 4: 14,15

THE SCIENCE OF GROWTH

NOTES TO SELF: [These things promote Neurogenesis]

• Provide enrichment [Variety is the magic key]

Positive social bonding

Mice Study

1) remained in home cage 2) 12 hrs daily of restraint stress 3) social reorganization

All infected with respiratory virus

Match the 3 groups abovewith their mortality rates below:a) 8% b) 15% c) 70%

(Padgett and Sheridan, 1999)

NOTES TO SELF: [These things promote Neurogenesis]

• Provide enrichment [Variety is the magic key]

Positive social bonding Study Results:

1) Remained in home cage

a) 8% mortality

2) 12hr. daily of restraint stress

b) 15% mortality

3) Social reorganization

c) 70% mortality!