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A Mindset for Learning: Teaching the Traits of Joyful, Independent Growth
"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.
-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.
192 pages, Paperback
First published August 27, 2015
24 people are currently reading
373 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 30, 2015
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!
August 17, 2016
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!
May 12, 2018
Great, practical read. I cannot wait to put some fresh ideas in place next year.
March 21, 2016
If I could give it 6 stars I would! Such great insight into teaching students how to grow as people and learners. Teaching genius!
July 9, 2016
An amazing book about the WHOLE child, fostering a way of thinking through hard things to learn/grasp as a learner.
September 5, 2016
Definitely will be using these stances with my new group of fourth graders this year. CAn't wait. Social curriculum so important!
June 7, 2025
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.
June 26, 2017
Great book! Very applicable strategies to bring to your classroom. I got lots of great ideas to use once school begins in August!
November 30, 2017
A great read for teachers who want to incorporate the Growth Mindset in their classrooms.
March 7, 2019
This book was a good read with useful information but it was also repetitive at times.
June 10, 2020
Easy to read; for a much more comprehensive teaching tool, look to the Habits of Mind -- this is HOM lite
February 10, 2017
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.
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.
March 21, 2016
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.
April 29, 2017
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.
July 31, 2016
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.
July 11, 2016
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.
August 5, 2016
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.
October 11, 2015
Can't wait to book talk this with my lab cohort teacher friends. Great book so much information.
July 19, 2016
Excellent book that combines principles from habits of mind, mindset, and grit all into one text for classroom application.
August 31, 2016
Insightful yet I wish that curiosity was included as a mindset. Without it, I felt that this provided a guide for teaching mindsets.
July 12, 2016
A fantastic book which focuses on educating the whole child. A must read for educators!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews