Can Your Brain Get Stronger? Lesson Plan

Download this lesson

Academic Standards

 

Reading Objective:

Children will discover how having a growth mindset can help their brain.

 

Social and Life Skills:

self-management

 

ELA Skills:

key details, vocabulary, writing, decode words

 

Page 4 Skill:

read a bar graph

 

Vocabulary:

growth mindset, challenges, mighty

 

CCSS:

RI.2.1 key details; RI.2.2 identify the main topic; RI.2.4 determine meanings of words; RI.2.10 read informational texts; RF.2.3 decode words; W.2.1 writing; SL.2.1 collaborative conversations; SL.2.3 ask and answer questions

 

Lexile level:

440L

Download TEKS Standards
Download Common Core Standards

Provide students with some background on overcoming challenges and developing a growth mindset.

Build background knowledge (10 min.)

Watch our video "Get a Growth Mindset!" After children have finished watching the video, discuss the following question:

  • What is the difference between a growth mindset and a fixed mindset?

Set a purpose for reading (5 min.)

  • Pass out the issue, and discuss the cover. Are any students surprised to learn that their brain can get stronger?
  • Next, read the As You Read prompt on page 3: ““Think about something difficult that you would like to learn to do.” Encourage children to think about this prompt as they read.

Read together (20 min.)

Pass out the Read and Think skill sheet. Use it to check comprehension as you read the issue together, pausing to ask the questions. 

Review vocabulary (3 min.)

Next, play the online vocabulary slideshow. This issue’s featured words are growth mindset, challenges, and mighty.

Assessment: Reading Quiz 

Pass out the Reading Quiz to review key concepts from the issue and assess students’ proficiency on key nonfiction reading skills.

My Strong Mind by Niels Van Hove and The Magical Yet by Angela DiTerlizzi (20 min.)

Both of these texts will introduce readers to having a growth mindset. They can be revisited throughout the year as academic concepts become increasingly challenging or rigorous. Challenge students to set a goal for themselves after reading!

  • Students can practice punctuation while cheering on the brain in the “Go, Brain, Go!” game.

You can use our printable worksheets to focus on ELA skills. Here’s how.

ELA Focus: Vocabulary (15 min.)

  • Use the Word Work printable to deepen students’ understanding of the words growth mindset and challenge.

Editor’s Pick: Writing (15 min.)

  • The Letter to Myself skill sheet is an empowering writing project that helps students develop and keep their own growth mindset. Have students think of something they’d like to be able to do but can’t yet.
  • Then have students use the skill sheet to write themselves a letter of encouragement. As they work toward their goal, they’ll have a wonderful confidence booster they can reread anytime!

ELA Focus: Decode Words (15 min.)

  • Students practice using a key and decoding high frequency words with the Color by Word skill sheet.

 Here are two past issues you can use to extend your lesson on overcoming challenges and developing a growth mindset:

  • “The Power of YET,” September 2020. Students will discover how one small word can help them overcome challenges.
  • “You Can Do It!,” September 2018. Students analyze difficult scenarios and explore ways to use a growth mindset in frustrating moments.

You can find a higher-Lexile-level and a lower-Lexile-level version of the article online here:

  • Higher Lexile level: 540L
  • Lower Lexile level: 400L