 How many of you have heard a saying such as this, “Everything in life changes according to context.”  Think about how you might complete this sentence with the word(s) you think might be appropriate:  “Everything in life – including ___________ - changes according to context.”  An example I might use is this:  “Everything in life, including the human attitude, changes according to context.”  Share with your table.

 At tables, please talk about the following:  How might this statement relate to starting a new school year?  How does this statement you discussed relate to our summer read, Mindset ?  Take a few minutes to discuss this.

 “…everything in life – including how things taste - alters according to context.”  Q: Do you believe that?  Now it’s time to ask you to leave.  The Dining Hall.  For real…

 In groups of 2 or more, we want you to discuss your thoughts about Mindset… but we want you to take a walk and enjoy the remaining summer air.  One caveat; try a fun experiment…

 Let’s test this research.  On your way outside, we’d like to ask that at least one person per discussion group taste something inside the dining hall (drink or food) and then taste it again outside and see if it tastes the same.  Come back in 15 minutes prepared to analyze your findings and share your discussion with others.

 We are going to ask that you not sit at a table with people you walked outside with.  Please sit with a new group of people.  Now take a few minutes and discuss your thoughts around the book Mindset and the findings of the experiment…

 “You can see how the belief that cherished qualities can be developed creates a passion for learning. Why waste time proving over and over how great you are, when you could be getting better? Why hide deficiencies instead of overcoming them? Why look for friends or partners who will just shore up your self- esteem instead of ones who will also challenge you to grow? And why seek out the tried and true, instead of experiences that will stretch you? The passion for stretching yourself and sticking to it, even (or especially) when it’s not going well, is the hallmark of the growth mindset. This is the mindset that allows people to thrive during some of the most challenging times in their lives.”

 Which sentence resonates the most for you and why?  What did people come up with?  Now discuss at your table which 5 words are the most important throughout this paragraph and discuss why that is.  Thoughts?

 Brings the entire school together to create a common language  Emphasizes the importance of context and school culture  Implications for teaching and learning  Implications for how we engage with students, parents, and each other as members of a professional community

 To encourage that we all take on a growth mindset no matter what role we have at Kent Place,  and to explicitly articulate that stretching ourselves, effort, reflection, and nurturing a professional learning community of lifelong learners is crucial in a world that is evolving and changing each day.

 Complete Self-assessment ›  Checkpoints this year to assess our growth mindset