How do videos like this one help students to "make friends with their mindsets"?   Think about the expectations that you have for your students in your classroom.  Could any of these expectations develop into scenarios that might set off the flight or fight reactions described in this video?

At the end of the video there are some techniques highlighted as coming attractions in the next video.  What do you think these techniques might involve?

How does the "Backwards Brain Bike Challenge" video illustrate some of the growth mindset ideas that we have been reading about and discussing in our class? Be specific in your descriptions of scenes and the growth mindset ideas that they trigger for you. 

A couple of high school math teachers have taken this video and built their own Backwards Brain Bike and recorded their journey of learning to ride the bike in front of their students.  They have issued the challenge to all teachers to choose a skill that they would like to learn while allowing their students to witness the journey.  If you took the challenge, what would you choose to learn?  How do think this would affect your students?  How do you think learning in front of your students and peers would affect you?

Watch the video and consider the questions below.  Share your thoughts on both subjects.

When do you feel smart? When you're doing something flawlessly or when you're learning something new? How can you make striving, stretching, and struggling into something that makes you feel smart?  How can you do the same for your students?

Have you ever trusted someone's negative evaluation of your ability or talent?  Think about it now.  How could they judge your potential?  Does our public education system attempt to do this? In what ways? Brainstorm agents of change to address this situation.

After viewing the video above, write a complete response to the following questions and comment on at least two other responses submitted by other members of our Growth Mindset study group. 

Can  you think of a time when you or someone you know faced an important opportunity or challenge with a fixed mindset? What were your/their thoughts and worries---about your/thier abilities?  about other people's judgments? about the possibility of failure? Describe them vividly. 

Now, can you take that same opportunity or challenge and switch into a growth mindset?  What are the plans and strategies that could support a different outcome?