Character and Growth Mindset

(image from http://icanread.tumblr.com/)

In character class this month we have worked on several topics, one of which is the idea of a growth mindset, an idea brought into the educational spotlight by Carol Dweck. We discussed her analogy of the brain as a ball of rubberbands of varying lengths. This idea is easy for the boys to imagine, making the concept of brain plasticity more age-appropriate. We discussed that the long rubber bands are areas that come to each person more easily, and the short rubber bands are areas that are more challenging. We discussed that the only way to "stretch" our short rubber bands is by focusing on these short bands and working to improve them, instead of only working with our "long rubber bands." We will continue to refer to this idea throughout the year as we challenge ourself to improve in all areas!