Methods at SSA: Positive Learning Environment - Growth Mindset, Grit, and Resilience

 
 

How Our Classroom Atmosphere Helps Students Learn

One of the things that sets us apart is our belief in creating a positive learning space and the influence that that has on the quality of learning that kids are able to have. Negative thoughts and surroundings hinder the learning process of many students and actually make it harder for their brains to make new connections in the classroom; it inhibits learning! That is why we take extra care to make sure that our students build confidence and gain self-assurance.

We encourage a growth mindset!

I’m sure you’re familiar with Carol Dweck from Stanford. She’s done Ted Talks and published a lot of studies about the power of Growth Mindset: the idea of “not yet!” So, rather than thinking: “I’m not good at math,” think: “I’m not good at math...yet!” Then, you’ve rephrased it and you’ve allowed yourself to get better some time in the future.

 
 

We focus on grit and resilience!

I’m sure you’ve read Angela Duckworth’s book about grit. Grit and resilience is the power of, getting back up when you’re pushed down. We try to emphasize this and we strive to let the kids know at every opportunity and every juncture that learning is an opportunity to fail and get back up. Nobody is perfect; nobody comes out of the starting-gate knowing everything and you actually retain more information if you are wrong than if you are right. Part of learning is remembering things halfway and forgetting things. All that is part of a learning process, that’s all okay, and that’s part of the journey to get you better.

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