Building Self-Efficacy Through Critical Thinking: Fixed vs Growth Mindset

Critical thinking is one of the Six Cs that can help you grow your belief in your ability to succeed (also called self-efficacy).

Did you know that your brain is like a muscle that can grow stronger? This activity will help us understand how we can "train" our brain to change our mindset and believe that we are unstoppable!

The stories we tell ourselves are powerful. These stories can alter our behaviors and change the way we see ourselves and the world! By understanding what stories we are telling ourselves, we can become the author and redefine what we want our story to be. When we have a fixed mindset, we put ourselves into a box and believe that our stories cannot change. When we have a growth mindset, we don't allow ourselves to be put in a certain box. Instead, we believe that we can change and grow!

Watch this video to learn more about growth mindset and "The Power of Yet."

Materials Needed: For this activity, you will need a tube of toothpaste and a piece of paper!

For this activity, you will fill out the worksheet as Katie and Mojo from "The Power of Yet" video. In the Fixed Mindset row, show how Katie would respond to the Challenges, Obstacles, Effort, Criticism, and Success of Others after falling behind in her science class. In the Growth Mindset row, show how Mojo responded to the same categories after getting stuck on his project.

You can fill it out three different ways:

Option 1: Pen or pencil Paper (Copy the worksheet by hand)
Option 2: Computer (Download and type your responses)
Option 3: Printer, pen or pencil (Download and print the worksheet)

After you fill out the worksheet, think about these questions:

1. How did Katie and Mojo respond differently to their obstacles?
2. Did you notice how their mindsets affected their success?
3. How can you use growth mindset the next time you face a challenge or start to put yourself in a box?

Share On Social

After you finish the worksheet, share something you learned about growth mindset on social media! Hashtag your post: #VirtualSpark and tag a friend or follower to complete this activity!

Download Fixed Vs Growth Mindset Worksheet

Download Here

Did you know our Spark Kits have more activities like this?

Check It Out!

Check Out More Resources

Featured

Impact Highlights, Juvenile Justice, Programs, Ring the Bell, Six Cs, Self-Efficacy

Impact Highlights: Reflecting on Impactful Moments for Girls Empowerment Network's 2022-2023 School Year

Impact Highlights, Juvenile Justice, Programs, Ring the Bell, Six Cs, Self-Efficacy

At Girls Empowerment Network, each year marks a celebration of our impact, a moment we call 'Ring the Bell.' This year, our journey with 4,889 girls through workshops, camps, and conferences was a testament to our commitment to empowering young minds. This journey isn't just about numbers; it's about the growth we witness in every girl, empowering them to express, create, and envision possibilities. Join us in igniting the power in girls and making a lasting difference in their lives.

Impact Highlights, Juvenile Justice, Programs, Ring the Bell, Six Cs, Self-Efficacy

Self-Efficacy, Six Cs

The Rally Cry: A Collaborative Zine Project Created by Girls Empowerment Network and Texas Youth

Self-Efficacy, Six Cs

"The Rally Cry” is a one-time zine publication by Girls Empowerment Network made up of submissions from Texas youth in grades 3-12.

Self-Efficacy, Six Cs

Self-Efficacy, Six Cs, Adult Resources, Mental Health, Advocacy

State of Girls Mental Health

Self-Efficacy, Six Cs, Adult Resources, Mental Health, Advocacy

Mental health is a state of well-being in which a girl can cope with the normal stresses of life, participate effectively in activities like school, and contribute to her community. While mental illness can affect all children and youth, research shows girls are at greater risk for certain mental health conditions. Self-efficacy, a girl’s belief in her ability to succeed, enhances a girl’s sense of well-being and promotes good mental health.

Self-Efficacy, Six Cs, Adult Resources, Mental Health, Advocacy

Impact Highlights, Self-Efficacy

Ring the Bell: Building Girls’ Self-Efficacy – Impact Highlights 2020-2021

Impact Highlights, Self-Efficacy

Our programs reach a broad range of Texas girls in many grades and districts, but you may wonder who the average Girls Empowerment Network Girl is. For our 2020-2021 program year, she is in 5th grade (17.5%) and attends Girl Connect at a school in Austin ISD. She is Latina (37.4%) and is from a low-income household (82.4%). She arrives at our programs with strengths in collaboration and creativity but needs to build her coping skills and communication to build her self-efficacy or her internal belief she can be successful. She will attend Girl Connect on average 6 times and by the end of the program will have grown her self-efficacy in all Our Six Cs (communication, confidence, coping skills, critical thinking, and creativity).

Impact Highlights, Self-Efficacy

Six Cs, Self-Efficacy

Building Self-Efficacy Through Critical Thinking: Fixed vs Growth Mindset

Six Cs, Self-Efficacy

Did you know that your brain is like a muscle that can grow stronger? This activity will help us understand how we can "train" our brain to change our mindset and believe that we are unstoppable!

Six Cs, Self-Efficacy

Self-Efficacy

How Media Representation, Gender Stereotypes & Self-Efficacy Connect

Self-Efficacy

Media representation and gender stereotypes can affect girls in negative ways. On average, teenage girls use media for 9 hours and 19 minutes each day, the majority of their waking hours. Whether girls are scrolling through Instagram or watching Netflix, the images and narratives they consume online have a measurable impact on their perceptions of themselves and others. Media matters…

Self-Efficacy

Self-Efficacy, Activities for Girls, Adult Resources

Grow Her Self-Efficacy- Articles, Activities and Resources

Self-Efficacy, Activities for Girls, Adult Resources

We know girls are powerful and it’s our mission for them to know it too. Throughout this year, albeit a weird one, we wanted girls and people who support them to have the tools and knowledge to continue to grow her self-efficacy. See articles written by our girl experts, activities taken from our curriculum, and more resources on self-efficacy.

Self-Efficacy, Activities for Girls, Adult Resources

Self-Efficacy, Six Cs, Activities for Girls

Building Self-Efficacy Through Coping Skills: 5,4,3,2,1

Self-Efficacy, Six Cs, Activities for Girls

Using a self-efficacy grounding technique like “5,4,3,2,1” helps us come back to the present moment when our thoughts and feelings take over.

Self-Efficacy, Six Cs, Activities for Girls

Self-Efficacy, Six Cs

Six Ways to Build Self-Efficacy in Middle School Girls (Six Cs)

Self-Efficacy, Six Cs

Girls Empowerment Network understands that the difference between cultivating self-efficacy and having self-esteem is important. The distinction allows us to widen the doors and be creative in the ways our activities let girls practice developing their skills and abilities that increase self-efficacy.

Self-Efficacy, Six Cs

Six Cs, Self-Efficacy, Activities for Girls

Building Self-Efficacy Through Communication: Toothpaste Social Media Safety

Six Cs, Self-Efficacy, Activities for Girls

Can what we post today affect our future? This activity will help us understand how our social media activity creates our digital footprint and online identity.

Six Cs, Self-Efficacy, Activities for Girls