Monthly Archives: July 2020

Growth Mindset

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In the BHPS PERMA wellbeing model, Growth Mindset (with the character strength, Persistence), belongs to the “Accomplishment” category.

WHAT IS GROWTH MINDSET?

We all have beliefs about our own abilities and potential. These beliefs are part of our mindset which is so powerful it can fuel our behaviour and predict our success. Mindset shapes our everyday lives, helping us interpret our experiences and future possibilities.

In her research at Stanford University, Dr. Carol Dweck identified two different types of mindsets, growth and fixed. Growth mindset occurs when we believe our intelligence and abilities can be improved upon with effort and the right strategies.

A willingness to confront challenges, a passion for learning and viewing failure as a springboard for growth are all characteristics associated with a growth mindset. Not surprisingly, this type of mindset is strongly linked to greater happiness and achievement in life.

In contrast, those with a fixed mindset believe their intelligence and abilities cannot be altered in a meaningful way. As a result, mistakes are often seen as failures rather than opportunities to grow and learn. When stuck in a fixed mindset, we may fear new experiences, avoid risks, and feel the need to repeatedly prove ourselves over and over.

https://biglifejournal.com/blogs/blog/teach-growth-mindset-kids-activities

The best thing about knowing about a growth mindset is knowing that you have the power to change your brain!

Your brain is like a muscle and the connections (neural pathways) between areas of your brain strengthen and grow with practise.

Mojo and Katie from Class Dojo

 

This clip uses the metaphor of a plant to explain the process…

 

Your Fantastic, Elastic Brain

Write and draw examples of when you have shown a growth mindset

Fairness and positive gender relationships

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This week we will be examining positive and fair relationships between males and females. Research has shown that by modelling and developing empathy is pivotal in preventing discrimination and unfairness in relationships between males and females. People who understand what is right and what is wrong are more likely to treat others with respect and fairness.

This is how Fairness and Positive Gender Relationships fits into the BHPS Wellbeing model

Relationships:
I accept, understand and empathise with others.

I can….

∙ be a positive bystander

∙ show respect to everyone
∙ be a bucket filler
∙ be open minded towards others and their ideas.
∙ be kind to everyone
∙ include others
∙ care about the feelings of others

The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch………
Princess Elizabeth is about to marry Prince Roland when a dragon kidnaps the prince and destroys her castle, burning all of her clothes. With nothing to wear but a paper bag, Elizabeth valiantly saves her prince – who is less than pleased at her un-princess-like appearance. But Elizabeth doesn’t care that she doesn’t fit the perfect picture of a princess.
THE MORAL OF THE STORY: True princesses are true to themselves.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pm7AUymn6WE

 

People who are fair treat everyone equally and give everyone a fair chance. Fairness is also about working cooperatively and applying rules fairly. People who are equitable treat males and females equally and have respect for all regardless of their gender. Another aspect of fairness is being a positive bystander.

This clip is about respecting others…

Kid President makes a new friend

This is about being a positive bystander (an UPSTANDER)

Self-Belief and Gender Equity

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Self-Belief and Gender Equity

This topic is an important component of  Respectful Relationships.

Children become aware of gender norms at an early age and as they learn about gender they may also  develop attitudes and beliefs such as that some games are for boys and some for girls.

Some ads on TV and some books show gender norms. Notice how in fairy tales, the strong male (prince) often comes to the rescue of the weak female (princess). Some people think that boys can’t wear pink or have long hair. Girls who like playing games with the boys can be called “tom boys”. Is this fair? Is this right?

It is important to show respect for everyone, regardless of their differences or gender.

People who show respect for others have self belief and they give others the opportunity to have self belief.

Draw a pilot, a surgeon and a nurse…

“It’s OK to be Different”

Thomas the Tank Engine

Respecting others and using kind words

 

Gender stereotype ads

 

Emotional Literacy

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This week at BHPS we will be looking at the Character Strength “Friendship” through the Emotional and Social intelligence lens.

Our Learning Intentions are for students to:

  • Recognise and identify their own emotions
  • Compare their emotional responses with those of their peers.
  • Describe the influence that people, situations and events have on their emotions
  • Investigate how emotional responses vary in depth and strength
  • Understand how to interact positively with others in different situations
  • Examine how success, challenge and failure strengthen personal identities.

There are many different words that can be used to describe your own emotions. You can also use these words to identify how others are feeling and empathise with them. Emojis are also a good visual to show a range of feelings or emotions, or symbols such as these.

It is not just your day to day interactions with others and identifying your own emotions that can benefit from having a bank of emotion descriptors.

Understanding a range of these words increases your emotional literacy and assists with comprehension, especially inference when reading. When writing, these words can be used to describe how characters are feeling which makes writing more descriptive and interesting to read.

Name That Emotion

Exploring Emotions

 

In My Heart

Meaning

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Meaning

 

What gives your life meaning?

Along with pleasure and engagement, research shows that having meaning in your life contributes to happiness or wellbeing.

In other words, Happiness + Meaning = Wellbeing

Meaning means having a higher purpose in life than yourself. Leading a meaningful life is when individuals using their signature strengths in the type of activities that contribute to the greater good.

There are so many activities that are purposeful and these can include hobbies, volunteering, teaching, looking after the environment and caring for others, to name a few.

Altruistic behaviour (doing things for others without expectation of receiving anything in return), such as participating in community service by, for example, raising money for a cause, leads to a greater sense of wellbeing. The sense of purpose obtained by taking opportunities to make positive contributions by helping others or improving the world (for example environmentally), involves not only social connection and community involvement, but carries the benefits of improved wellbeing.

At Barwon Heads PS, we are changing our wellbeing model to include “Meaning” along with the existing elements of Positive Emotions, Engagement, Relationships and Accomplishment.

An awareness of the activities you do that give your life meaning and purpose while using your chief character strengths should strengthen your life satisfaction and wellbeing.

“Focusing your life solely on making a buck shows a certain poverty of ambition. It asks too little of yourself. Because it’s only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you realize your true potential.”

-Barack Obama