A Mindset for Learning: Teaching the Traits of Joyful, Independent Growth

by Kristine Mraz, Christine Hertz

"This book is a gem: vivid, fun and thoughtful. It's like sitting next to a skillful, experienced, focused teacher in a real classroom. Kristi and Christine draw on their years of teaching and their dedication to educating children to help students become more empathic and act more thoughtfully and to prepare them with the essentials for success in an uncertain future."

-Arthur Costa, author of Learning and Leading with Habits of Mind

We know how to teach content and skills. But can we teach the habits of mind needed for academic success, a love of learning, and agency in the world? We can, and A Mindset for Learning shows us how.

"We want our students to take on challenges with zeal," write Kristi Mraz and Christine Hertz, "to see themselves not as static test scores but as agents of change." Drawing on the work of Carol Dweck, Daniel Pink, Art Costa, and others, Kristi and Christine show us how to lead students to a growth mindset for school-and life-by focusing on five crucial, research-driven attitudes:

optimism-putting aside fear and resistance to learn something new
persistence-keeping at it, even when a task is hard
flexibility-trying different ways to find a solution
resilience-bouncing back from setbacks and learning from failure
empathy-learning by putting oneself in another person's shoes.

A Mindset for Learning pairs research-psychological, neurological, and pedagogical-with practical classroom help, including instructional language, charts and visuals, teaching tips, classroom vignettes, and more.

"This book holds our dreams for all children," write Kristi and Christine, "that they grow to be brave in the face of risk, kind in the face of challenge, joyful and curious in all things." If you want that for your students, then help them discover A Mindset for Learning.

Genres: Education, Teaching, Professional Development, Growth Mindset, Nonfiction

192 pages, Paperback

First published August 27, 2015

Reviews

[Brenda]

Such a relief to read a professional book that focused on learners and growing their capacities, rather than on lessons and growing a teacher's repertoire. We are full on into goal setting and preparing for student led conferences - I am so excited to give these ideas a try with my class. I think they'll be more connected and invested in their goals - as much as 8 and 9 year-olds can be. Thank you for your book!

[Jenny Hauss]

Every educator should read this book! It focuses on developing the whole child with a growth mindset. I appreciated that they had put it in actual examples from actual classrooms!

[Denise Shaver]

Great, practical read. I cannot wait to put some fresh ideas in place next year.

[Andrea]

If I could give it 6 stars I would! Such great insight into teaching students how to grow as people and learners. Teaching genius!

[Mandy Robek]

An amazing book about the WHOLE child, fostering a way of thinking through hard things to learn/grasp as a learner.

[Patrick]

Definitely will be using these stances with my new group of fourth graders this year. CAn't wait. Social curriculum so important!

[Carrie]

This book is great for what is it written to discuss: Empowering children in our classrooms to practice some important “soft skills” (optimism, resilience, persistence, flexibility, and empathy) in order to improve their levels of achievement in our classrooms as well as in their lives outside the classroom.

[Laura]

I teach preschool through 6th grade elementary music and the concepts in this book are wonderful…but incredibly difficult to apply in my area. I’m not saying it isn’t possible, but I do think it would take quite a bit of extra thought and effort to squeeze into my 40 minutes once a week.

[Andee]

Great book! Very applicable strategies to bring to your classroom. I got lots of great ideas to use once school begins in August!

[Leigh]

A great read for teachers who want to incorporate the Growth Mindset in their classrooms.

[Jamielipowski]

This book was a good read with useful information but it was also repetitive at times.

[Holly Esterline]

Easy to read; for a much more comprehensive teaching tool, look to the Habits of Mind -- this is HOM lite

[Karina]

I think this book is a good resource as far as how to implement a growth mindset, and the five stances (empathy, optimism, resilience, persistence, flexibility). Good book recommendations to teach the stances broken down by grade clusters. I'm excited to see if my school library has any of the books. I look forward to incorporating several of the ideas mentioned. It seems the suggestions are easily implemented during Community Circle (TRIBES), on L pages (reflection) in journals, sticky notes for goals.

Other than that, I think this book was geared more towards reading/writing teachers - especially those that use a workshop model. There are great resources in the appendices for conferring notes, student observations... not many reproducibles for math teachers - luckily I have a system of my own for documentation.

[Lynda Schmidt]

Good reminders throughout about what is important when making connections with kids and how to help them navigate through their days. Have used this primarily through my advisory time but also have enjoyed connecting via Twitter with the authors. Very accessible and enthusiastic about "talking" kids and how to make school more valuable for all. Will continue to use as a resource for sure.

[Sheila]

A practical resource for all educators! Mraz and Hertz give helpful 'Teaching Tips' for guiding children to independence. Love these authors! Reading this book felt more like having a conversation with good friends who are passionate about teaching.

[Laura]

Great book that reminds you of the importance of teaching the whole child at every age! These five traits will blend in nicely with the social curriculum I currently use and will enhance it in a beautiful way.

[Marysue Gulick]

I think because I've read Carol Dweck's book about Mindset several times, I had a hard time getting through this one. I have to say I got some great ideas from it, so I persevered and am glad I finished it.

[Jeni]

Great book for thinking about creating engaged and motivated learners. Practical ideas supported by research and classroom experience. I'm almost excited for summer to end so I can use some of this learning with my own students.

[Diana Pettis]

Can't wait to book talk this with my lab cohort teacher friends. Great book so much information.

[Jennifer]

Excellent book that combines principles from habits of mind, mindset, and grit all into one text for classroom application.

[Julie]

Insightful yet I wish that curiosity was included as a mindset. Without it, I felt that this provided a guide for teaching mindsets.

[Elisa]

A fantastic book which focuses on educating the whole child. A must read for educators!