Introduction and Growth Mindset

Mustang Connection: 

GMMS Parents as Partners


Greetings Parents and Guardians! 

As part of the Governor Mifflin Middle School mission to partner with parents, I would like to introduce you to a periodic mini-newsletter you will be receiving. The intention of this newsletter is twofold. First, we believe it is important to keep you informed of the great things our school is doing to address equity and social-emotional learning. As some of you know, twice per cycle during their flex periods, the students participate in activities and explicit instruction regarding equity, diversity, social-emotional learning, habits of mind, collaboration, and academic advisement. We believe that the explicit incorporation of these things will help our students’ social and emotional development and connection to the school community. 


During these difficult times, it is more important than ever to address these skills with our students. Hopefully, these communications will give you a better understanding of the lessons and topics the students are learning during their flex time. The second intention of these communications will be to provide resources to you to help you navigate some of these topics with your children. Each communication will have a “theme” or focus area, as well as either a preview of upcoming lessons or a review of the activities and lessons from the previous week’s flex period. I look forward to partnering with you through these communications.  

Issue 1: Growth Mindset

At GMSD, we like to use the power of yet.

Research shows that success is heavily dependent upon mindsets or “habits of mind.” One specific mindset that Mustang Nation strongly embraces is the growth mindset. One of the leading researchers on the topic, Carol Dweck, distinctly differentiates between a growth mindset, and what she calls a fixed mindset. The difference between the two determines how one views and responds to challenges, obstacles, criticisms, and the success of others. According to Dweck, a fixed mindset leads to a desire to look smart and therefore a tendency to avoid challenges, get defensive or give up easily, see effort as fruitless or worse, ignore useful feedback, feel threatened by the success of others, and blame others for their own lack of success. Conversely, growth mindset leads to a desire to learn, and therefore a tendency to embrace challenges, persist in the face of setbacks, see effort as a path to mastery, learn from criticism, find lessons and inspiration in the success of others, and take accountability for lack of progress (Dweck, 2006). In a nutshell, people with fixed mindsets have fear of failure and tend to believe that they are either naturally talented or not talented at certain tasks, and that they have little control over certain aspects of their lives. On the other hand, people with growth mindsets believe that their success is directly correlated to the amount of effort they put into something, and failure is just a step towards mastery. While everyone may have some degree of both growth and fixed mindsets, one can learn how to shift towards a growth mindset through intentional reflection and practice. The first step is recognizing one’s own mindset! At GMSD, we like to use the “power of yet!” As seen in this video resource, using the power of yet works from the position that failure is a lesson to use in moving further towards one’s goals. Do you know your mindset? If you would like to find out, try this free 20 question “test” to get some research-based feedback on your mindset! 

Helpful Hints! - 5 things a parent can do to encourage a growth mindset (from A Parent’s Guide to Growth Mindset).
1. Allow For Productive Struggle
2. Encourage Persistence
3. “I Can’t Do This” Is Not Allowed
4. Talk About The Brain As A Muscle
5. A Positive Brain Is A Smarter Brain

We believe, by incorporating some of these practices, it will lead to stronger attributes of a growth mindset. Give it a try!



On the horizon and some additional resources!
Flex Period Schedule
Days 1 & 4 - SSR - Silent Sustained Reading - Learn More Here
Days 2 & 5 - iReady - Family Resource Page
Days 3 & 6 - SEL - Social Emotional Learning Schedule
* February 17th - Random Acts of Kindness Day: Students will recognize and communicate positive attributes about others through several teacher-led activities. We understand that while virtual students are not exposed to these in-person flex lesson, it may be of value to discuss them with your children and access the available resources from the school.

Thank you for your support and partnership in education!

Sincerely,

Chris Killinger
GMMS Associate Principal



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