Growth Mindset

Photo credit: Metrfit

As part of our school's evaluation process we are asked to create a yearly Student Learning Goal.
My goal this year is Growth Mindset.

I set the goal that by April 2023, at least 75% of my students in will demonstrate a growth mindset in in one of the following components of their art-making.:

• Observational Skills
• Design-Thinking (Process / Planning / Problem-Solving)
• Creative Thinking
• Expression
• Aesthetics -- Terms and Concepts - Elements and Principles; Composition
• Skill-Building (Craft) -- Media and Techniques

 
In demonstrating a growth mindset, they will:

• be persistent when faced with obstacles
• believe that "talent" (skills) can be improved
• welcome new and different challenges
• be motivated by the success of others
• accept that successful art-making takes practice and effort
• learn from others' feedback
• be encouraged by trying new techniques/methods/mediums
• see failed attempts as a way to gain knowledge and experience

To measure their growth mindset, students were be assessed by using the following resources: 

Growth Mindset Questionnaire
​Growth Mindset Survey

We discussed what growth mindset looks like in the art room:

For example:
Growth Mindset believes Believes talent can improve
vs.
Fixed Mindset believes that Believes talent is fixed

Students created SMART Goals and utilized the following questions to engage in a thoughtful conversation about growth mindset. The template is from the Art of Education. 

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Students took a survey on Growth Mindset as well.

Here is a comparison of this student's work from the beginning of the year to the spring time.
​You can see the growth and level of improvement in his work.

Here is a another student who demonstrated growth in observation skills, aesthetics and composition

Here is another student who demonstrates growth and development in her work. Her goals include observational drawing, composition and expression.