Overcoming Obstacles 7 th Grade: Growth Mindset Microsoft, 2011

Objectives Today we’re going to talk about overcoming obstacles that may stand in the way of sucessfully meeting your goals. We’ll reflect on our own experiences and learn about one student who was able to overcome tremendous obstacles to go to college.

Pre-Test 1.How does growth mindset relate to overcoming obstacles? 2.What is one goal you’d like to achieve that you think might be challenging? 3.What is a strategy that can help you overcome an obstacle that may stand in the way of you achieving that goal?

Think-Pair-Share Think of an obstacle you had to overcome in order to achieve something. – What were you trying to achieve? What was your goal? – How did you overcome that obstacle? What strategies did you use? – What made you keep going or persist? – Did you have any help or support?

Discuss What are some of the things the stories others just shared have in common? What were some of the strategies used to overcome obstacles?

Review Discuss: – What did we talk about last class? – What is the difference between growth and fixed mindsets? – How does overcoming obstacles relate to having a growth mindset?

One Student’s Story Consider the following questions as we read: – What obstacles did Sourena face? – What strategies did Sourena use to overcome those obstacles? – What kept Sourena going when he struggled? Why did he persist? – What does Sourena say that shows he has a growth mindset? Sourena Vasseghi Vasseghi, S., 2011

Think-Pair-Share What obstacles did Sourena face? What strategies did Sourena use to overcome those obstacles? What kept Sourena going when he struggled? Why did he persist? What does Sourena say that shows he has a growth mindset?

Strategies for Persisting Set a goal to achieve something that you really care about. Think Positively. Problem solve – think of possible solutions and try them out. Try your hardest! Do the best you can. Ask for help. Rather than saying “I can’t”, ask “how can I?”

Post-Test 1.How does growth mindset relate to overcoming obstacles? 2.What is one goal you’d like to achieve that you think might be challenging? 3.What is a strategy that can help you overcome an obstacle that may stand in the way of you achieving that goal?

Goal Take out a piece of paper. Write one new goal you’d like to achieve this school year. – Them write at least 2 strategies you will use to persist in the face of challenges that arise.

References Canfield, J.; Hansen, M.V.; & Newmark, A. (2008). Chicken Soup for the Soul – Teens Talking Getting in to College. Cos Cob, CT: Chicken Soup for the Soul Publishing, LLC. Microsoft Office Images. (2011). Retrieved from us/images/ us/images/ Vasseghi, S. (2011). Facebook. Available at