Unit Notes: Happiness Project To study in case you missed anything during the unit. 

Intelligence and Brain Plasticity What is intelligence? How do you know if someone is “smart”?

Is the person who can memorize the lyrics to all of their favorite songs smarter than the person who can fix the broken bike? Is a surgeon smarter than a Grammy-nominated singer? A racecar driver smarter than a mother of 4? An alligator rescue specialist smarter than a baker? Is the person who gets good grades on a math test smarter than the kid who can throw the ball the farthest in PE?

Many Types of Intelligence “An intelligence is the ability to solve problems, or to create products, that are valued within one or more cultural settings.” Howard Gardner, Frames of Mind (1983) Based on his study of many people from many different walks of life in everyday circumstances and professions, Gardner developed the theory of multiple intelligences.

Basics of Multiple Intelligences  Intelligence is more than IQ, getting good grades, or being great at math. We are all born with a capacity for each intelligence. We all have a unique combination of these intelligences. These intelligences are located in different areas of the brain and usually work together, but can work independently too.

Our Brains Change Neuroplasticity experience. – the brain’s ability to change in response to experience. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAzmyB9PFt4

Neuroplasticity means that everyone is able to become smarter in all intelligences. Every experience, choice, and action has a physical impact on your brain You can control how you think, feel and act by controlling what you focus on.

Changing How You Think Creates Physical Changes in your brain Neuroplasticity - Creating Stronger Neural Connections http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWMah7Io4qA Actual Neurons developing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nmvk3zlyQ2w

Attention and Experience What you focus on is what your brain thinks is important. It changes in response to these important experiences. Deliberately focusing on something creates new pathways in the brain.

Like muscles, repetition and use creates strength in the brain’s ability to function. Use it or lose it – the brain continuously makes room for what is important –what you focus on– by pruning out things you don’t use. You can create new habits and prune old ones using MINDFULLNESS – paying attention to your own thoughts. Animated model of Neuroplasticity: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJ93qXXYRpU

Recap Your brain changes physically in response to experiences-physical, mental, emotional Young brains are capable of changing fast Use it or Lose it New habits are made stronger by repeated use Pruning – pathways become weaker through less use Practice makes permanent – whatever you do, your brain changes to get better at it. Focus and repetition are key to strong neural pathways

Happiness Project: Mindset Multiple Intelligences Using your Strengths Neuroplasticity Using your Attention & Focus to Change your Brain Mind Set Positivity

Quick Write Think of a time when you had a hard time learning something new. Write about your reaction. Did you think – Wow, this is hard. I’ll have to try harder. Or Wow, this is hard. I feel dumb – this is not for me. Or ?...

Simple Version: Take some good notes! Growth Mindset by Hye Lim https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNWA3ZwJdLk

Growth Mindset Growth Mindset Introduction: What it is, How it Works, and Why it Matters  by Trevor Ragan

Consequences of Beliefs Fixed Mindset Growth Mindset Goal in School? Values effort? Reaction to Failure? So what are the consequences? They affect the goals students have, how they view effort, and how they respond to failure and setbacks. Blackwell, Trzesniewski, & Dweck 2007

Consequences of Beliefs Fixed Mindset Growth Mindset Goal in School? Look Smart Values effort? Reaction to Failure? For students with a fixed mindset, their goal in school is to show how smart they are, or hide how dumb they think they are. This makes sense right? If you think you’re just born smart or dumb, you want to make sure you show you’re smart. So this makes them much less likely to ask questions in class, or seek out help from peers or teachers because that would involve showing they don’t know something. Blackwell, Trzesniewski, & Dweck 2007

Consequences of Beliefs Fixed Mindset Growth Mindset Goal in School? Look Smart Learn Values effort? Reaction to Failure? Students with a growth mindset on the other hand have the goal to learn, so they’re more likely to ask a question if they don’t understand, or to seek out help or try a new strategy if they are struggling.   Blackwell, Trzesniewski, & Dweck 2007

Goals Looking smart is most important: “The main thing I want when I do my school work is to show how good I am at it." Learning is most important: “It’s much more important for me to learn things in my classes than it is to get the best grades.” Fixed mindset Growth mindset Goals? Look Smart Learn Values effort? Reaction to Failure? Students with a fixed mindset are more likely to agree with... “The main thing I want when I do my school work is to show how good I am at it. Whereas students with a growth mindset are more likely to agree with… “It’s much more important for me to learn things in my classes than it is to get the best grades.” Blackwell, Trzesniewski, & Dweck 2007

Consequences of Beliefs Fixed Mindset Growth Mindset Goal in School? Look Smart Learn Values effort? Reaction to Failure? What about effort? Students with a fixed mindset actually see effort as proof of low ability. They think that if you have to try hard that means you aren’t very smart.   Blackwell, Trzesniewski, & Dweck 2007

Consequences of Beliefs Fixed Mindset Growth Mindset Goal in School? Look Smart Learn Values effort? No Reaction to Failure? Whereas students with a growth mindset see effort as how you grow your abilities. Blackwell, Trzesniewski, & Dweck 2007

Consequences of Beliefs Fixed Mindset Growth Mindset Goal in School? Look Smart Learn Values effort? No Yes Reaction to Failure? Students with a fixed mindset are more likely to agree with… “To tell the truth, when I work hard at my school work it makes me feel like I’m not very smart.” Blackwell, Trzesniewski, & Dweck 2007

Value of Effort Effort is negative: “To tell the truth, when I work hard at my school work it makes me feel like I’m not very smart." Effort is positive: “The harder you work at something, the better you’ll be at it.” Fixed mindset Growth mindset Goals? Look Smart Learn Values effort? No Yes Reaction to Failure? Whereas students with a growth mindset are more likely to agree with... “The harder you work at something, the better you’ll be at it.”

Consequences of Beliefs Fixed Mindset Growth Mindset Goal in School? Look Smart Learn Values effort? No Yes Reaction to Failure? Responses to failure - Fixed mindset students tend to have a helpless response to failure or struggling with something they don’t immediately get. They give up because they see setbacks as evidence they ‘don’t have what it takes.’ Blackwell, Trzesniewski, & Dweck 2007

Consequences of Beliefs Fixed Mindset Growth Mindset Goal in School? Look Smart Learn Values effort? No Yes Reaction to Failure? Give Up Students with a growth mindset are more likely to work harder in response to a failure. Blackwell, Trzesniewski, & Dweck 2007

Consequences of Beliefs Fixed Mindset Growth Mindset Goal in School? Look Smart Learn Values effort? No Yes Reaction to Failure? Give Up Work Harder When students were asked how they would respond to failing a test, students with a fixed mindset are more likely to agree with these statements... “I would spend less time on this subject from now on.” “I would try not to take this subject ever again.” “I would try to cheat on the next test.” Blackwell, Trzesniewski, & Dweck 2007

Response to Failure Helpless “I would spend less time on this subject from now on.” “I would try not to take this subject ever again.” “I would try to cheat on the next test.” Resilient “I would work harder in this class from now on.” “I would spend more time studying for the tests.” Fixed mindset Growth mindset Goals? Look Smart Learn Values effort? No Yes Reaction to Failure? Give up Work Harder Whereas students with a growth mindset are more likely to agree with… “I would work harder in this class from now on.” “I would spend more time studying for the tests.”

Consequences of Mindsets Fixed Mindset Growth Mindset Goal in School? Look Smart Learn Values effort? No Yes Reaction to Failure? Give Up Work Harder Achievement Lower Higher Students with a fixed mindset tend to show declines in their performance over time, particularly when they transition to a new environment such as from elementary to middle school or middle school to high school. Students with a growth mindset typically show increases over time.

What about MISTAKES!??? Mistakes - To Get Better You Have to Get Ugly https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Nymq7IVFSE

How do you change a fixed mindset to a growth mindset? Getting Gritty

Mini- Quiz: Mindset What are the two types of mindset we studied? How can I change this sentence, I can’t do this, into a growth mindset?

The Happiness Project: The Power of Positivity

The Habit of Positivity http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXy__kBVq1M TEDxBloomington - Shawn Achor - "The Happiness Advantage: Linking Positive Brains to Performance" :10 – 3:01 5:23 – 6:25 7:36- 8:30 9:15- 11:07 11:07 – end

Positive Psychology You have a choice – you decide what to focus on Example – Baby Unicorn! vs. Ouch! The lense you use to view the world shapes your reality Your outlook shapes your happiness – not the opposite.

Happiness Project Happiness Project Multiple Intelligences Using your Strengths Neuroplasticity Using your Attention & Focus to Change your Brain Mind Set Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset Positivity Positive Psychology: Happiness is a skill

Science of Happiness Only 10% of long term happiness is dependent on external world 90% of your happiness is dependent on your outlook

Happiness Leads to Success Happy = Success, not the opposite Happiness Advantage Brain positive in the present = Intelligence Creativity Energy Every single outcome improves Positive Brains are Better, faster, more accurate – than negative, neutral or stressed.

Rewire your Brain for Happiness through Positivity Create lasting, POSITIVE change 21 days in a row 3 gratitudes Journaling Exercise Relaxation exercises Random Acts of Kindness

Habits of Mind Passive Vs. Active Positive Change – happens when you make it important Change process is simple, but not easy Start small – impact is exponential How do you talk to yourself? What patterns do you see? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qR3rK0kZFkg Jessica’s daily affirmation Carole King: Beautiful https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIBhzZxy3bs

Pruning Out Dead Weight Negative self talk: WMDs – Worry, Misery, Doubt – weapons of mass destruction. Tossing out the WMD’s – Negative thought patterns.

Day 23: Getting into the Habit Re-wiring our brains takes Self-COMPASSION, PATIENCE, And an absolute dedication to FOCUSING ON THE POSITIVE

Small Changes that Work Big Stop negative self-talk Toss words like “always, never,” – they are toxic! Focus on what is going right

Celebrating Small Steps Shamu

Changing Focus Focus on what you want more of Its impossible to make mistakes 24/7! Notice the “little” everyday things that are going right Practice, practice, practice – 10,000 hour rule

To Start: Neuroplasticity & Positivity: Reward the habit or pattern you want and ignore the habit or pattern you do not want Approximations: Reward the small steps involved in learning an entirely new, larger habit or pattern Incompatible habit or pattern: To get rid of an old habit or pattern, replace it with a new, positive habit or pattern that fills the same need

+ + = Mind + Body Connection Your brain needs physical exercise Your brain needs sleep Your brain needs good nutrition + + =

Recap Many ways to be smart – everyone has all of them Brain changes in response to what you make important Positivity increases learning Negativity decreases abilities Brain and body are connected – exercise, sleep and nutrition are vital for the brain to work at its best Simple, not easy Have to have a plan

Wise words… Mindshift- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fviFNrWKzZ8

End of Unit Foundation. Time to practice!

The Plan Create a Bullet Journal Decide what it is you want Break down big goals into small ones Decide what you have to stop and start Triggers – notice, record, be mindful ! Plan a different thing to do that satisfies the same need Need at LEAST 21 days, but we are going for longer Process – have compassion for yourself Drop the negative self talk Relently focus on the positive in yourself, no matter what

Recognizing Greatness When you See It