Introduction

Each fortnight we will review and discuss a different section of the book. You may want to record some of your thoughts and opinions as comments on this blog. Purely optional.


Here are the discussion questions you may like to consider... 


The Six Keys - (P1-13 in the print version I have)

  • What are you hoping to learn from reading the book? What are you excited for?
  • In this section, Jo defines growth and fixed mindsets. Describe your own experiences with growth and fixed mindsets in school and beyond.
  • Jo shares that when she speaks to adult learners, educators, or parents, many of them recall a limiting experience they had as a child or young adult when they received a fixed praise message, such as being called "smart" (P10). 
    • When have you received a fixed message (praise or otherwise) about your abilities? How did it make you feel and what impact did it have on your life?
    • When have you received a growth message about your abilities? How did it make you feel and what impact did it have on your life?
    • When have you given fixed praise to others? When have you given growth praise?
  • Jo reminds us of a widely shared insight, "Everything you ever wanted is on the other side of fear" (p.12). What are your thoughts about this quote?

Comments

  1. Mr GormanMay 10, 2022 at 5:06 PM

    Well - I think it is great to work out how to inspire others to achieve beyond what they percieve as their capabilities.
    I've seen so many... many teachers, downplay their abilities in various areas... often Mathematics. I've also witnissed them giving damaging praise to students labelling them as smart... and at the same time relegating those who haven't recieved similar feedback to feeling dumb.
    I remember messaging around my ability for sing... as a child I was told I was off pitch a few times... I shut my mouth and didn't sing for years! I was always musical. Learned Piano to a high level... and was doing school cert Music when the teacher cast me in the school musical. I had two solo lines... I was so scared!!! I practice and practice and practiced! Now - you can't shut me up! I sing loud and proud - and pretty well! I regularly sing solos at Church, have been in a number of choirs and confidently lead full school singing.... Yes from about 8 - 15 I did not think I could sing... and therefore I didn't sing!

    The final quote - "The other side of fear" - is accurate - but scary! I'm not sure if it is a quote I would use widely - because of the negative connotations of fear... However - standing on the other side of it - knowing that fear of failure is fear of a learning opportunity - I can appreciate the message.

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  2. Mark EllisMay 16, 2022 at 3:50 PM

    Well, fear is the great inhibiter. Our potential is unlimited but we must create a positive view of ourselves and to do that we really must understand our learning styles and preferences while learning. I am hopeful this will give me a greater insight to how I can change some of my bias and self talk so I can move on and challenge my learning and next steps in education.

    I am also hopeful the more educators who look at material like this will develop a growth mindset approach to encourage our learners to embrace their strengths and build on their weaknesses. It's exciting to be involved in this informal discussion. Thanks for the opportunity.

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  3. AnonymousMay 17, 2022 at 5:34 PM

    Wow, there is so much in these first 12 pages to chew the fat the over. I have spent a lot of time reflecting on my school experience and how that shaped the beliefs I had about myself. It has also been somewhat daunting reflecting on some of the feedback and messaging I have given students of mine over the years.

    I love the quote, "The other side of Fear" too. Fear focuses on the barriers in front of us, courage looks at solutions, and we should always be teaching our tamariki to be solutions focused.

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  4. Sharyn de JongeMay 18, 2022 at 1:42 AM

    Thanks Ben for getting us underway. I enjoyed the conversation today with Shaun, Meredith, Kathryn and Maureen. We reflected on the way we approach challenges and the role our internal voices play in this process. These internalisations hold some people back from opportunities while for others their internal monologue strengthens their resolve to have a go, to persist. We wondered whether this is a type of resilience?
    The introduction provided great opportunity to reflect on the effect of comments we make that can stay with a person and shape their future actions and decisions - powerful stuff. Over the next week or so I thought I'd tune myself into teacher/adult talk a little more closely across the school and consider 'what stories will our students take with them from our school?' This could lead to some good staff conversations.
    On 'unlocking potential' I hope that this book will help me unlock potential within our teachers - we can't authentically support our students to unlock their potentials, if we are not invested in practising this for ourselves (and then we need to bring parents on board too). Yep - big expectations and I'm only at the introduction!

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