Felisha Cortez
Gifted and Talented
3rd – 5th Grade
fcortez@mckinneyisd.net
Agenda:
1) Discussion on Intelligence
2) Malleability and
Neuroplasticity of the brain
3) Strategies and activities for
maintaining a growth mindset
and building neuroplasticity
• Article from: http://steve-wheeler.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/unfix-yourmind.html?m=1
Intelligence
After you complete this on your own
discuss with your table then we will share
out.
Think to yourself whether or not you
agree or disagree with the following
statements:
• Our intelligence is one of our fundamental
traits.
• We can all learn new things, but we
cannot really change how smart we are.
What is neuroplasticity?
• -the ability of the brain to change, adapt, and
"rewire" itself throughout our entire life.
• -works both ways; it creates new connections and
eliminates connections that are not used very often.
Neuroplasticity in action
• Example: Stroke Patients
• What happens once a patient has a stroke?
– Neuroplasticity begins ASAP: the brain begins the
rewiring process for the patient to be able to
speak and become mobile again.
– The growth mindset aspect is the hard work the
patients put into physical therapy to enable
themselves to gain function.
The brain is remarkably plastic
• -Even in middle or old age it is still actively adapting
to it's environment.
• -All of your brains are physically growing and
changing every time you learn something new and
there are ways to keep that happening.
• -Intelligence isn't fixed, rather it's forming and
developing through our lives.
• Educating students about the brain
has a huge impact on their effort and
motivation.
• Every time you work hard and learn
something new your brain grows and
gets stronger.
• Pre-Assessment and background knowledge on:
– Brain
– Fixed and Growth Mindsets
• Building a Neural Network
• Guess Box Activity
• Concept Placemats
Building a neural network
I need volunteers, who wants to be a neuron?
1. Who in here has learned something new lately?
2. What is something someone has learned but is
getting better at through practice?
3. What is something that someone has mastered?
During the summer:
• Neuroplasticity can drastically change for students.
• Low SEC students tend to lose brain connections due
to the fact they may not have homes filled with
books or internet access/other means to advance
their knowledge therefore, connections in their brain
go unused.
Neuroplasticity
• Students need to constantly be reminded that
they have the ability to get smarter and that
each and every brain has an elastic quality to
it.
• Tell students “Once you build a strong
connection, you have added density to your
brain and actually made yourself smarter!”
Guess Box Activity
• Based on Concept Attainment Model by
Jerome Bruner.
• Deductive and inductive reasoning.
• A box in which the contents are unknown is a
good vehicle for concept attainment and
critical thinking.
• Can be used with any concept.
Guess Box Activity
Attributes of a ___________
?
Concept Placemats
•
Inspired by the concept formation model.
• Builds a more abstract concept.
• Relates to making connections, seeing
relationships and defining a concept.
Mindsets
• A mindset is a set of personal beliefs and is a way
of thinking that influences your behavior and
attitude towards yourself and others.
• As educators mindset directly influences how a
child feels about him or herself and how he or
she views him or her as a learner.
Growth vs Fixed Mindset
Growth:
• Your brain is malleable
• Talents and abilities can be developed through
effort and persistence
• Everyone can get smarter with work
• Embrace failure
• Persevere even in the face of barriers
Growth vs Fixed Mindset
Fixed:
• Abilities and intelligence are fixed
• Goal is to look smart, not dumb
• Dread failure and feel it reflects upon
themselves
• Intelligence is static
• Avoid challenges, give up easily due to
obstacles
Praise
• The power of “not yet.”
• Use words that praise students effort, process,
strategies, focus and perseverance.
Responding to Failure
• Have students develop a failure chart.
• When a student doesn’t perform as well as they hoped or
they have “not yet” mastered the concept having a journal or
chart may be helpful.
F-irst
A-ttempt
I-n
L-earning
• Every time students push and go outside of their
comfort zone new neurons form and connect.
• Through continued effort and perseverance,
overcoming challenges is when they become
smarter.
– Neurons grow
Edutopia: Freedom to fail forward
Resources and Ideas-included in handout
• What are some possible factors that may
effect student’s having a fixed mindset?
• How can we as educators handle these
situations when students bring them up in
class?
– Activity: Situational Cards
References
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Borovoy, A.E. (2015, March 13). Edutopia Five Minute Film Festival: Freedom to Fail Forward.
Retrieved from from
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/film-festival-learning-from-failure-resilience
Dweck, C.S. (2014, January 30). A Study on Praise and Mindsets. Retrieved 2015,
August 3 from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWv1VdDeoRY
Dweck, C.S. (2014, December 17). The Power of believing that you can improve.
Retrieved 2015, August 3 from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_X0mgOOSpLU
Joyce, W., Lasseter, J., Spencer, C. (Producers), & Anderson, S.J. (Director). (2007).
Meet the Robinsons [Motion Picture]. United States: Disney
Nieforth, K. (2014, May 30). Keep Moving Forward. Retrieved 2015, August 3 from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmW3H-EXYS0
Ricci, M.C. (2013). Mindsets in the Classroom. Waco, TX: Prufrock Press Inc.
Sentis Brain Animation Series. (2012, November 6). Neuroplasticity. Retrieved
Retrieved 2015, August 3 from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELpfYCZa87g