Merton Park Primary School

Learning at Merton Park Primary

 

Growth and fixed mindsets

There are a number of skills and attributes that we believe children need to be lifelong learners. These things can be taught, both at home and at school, and help children to develop a growth mindset.  A growth mindset is when someone believes that they can get better at something if they keep on trying and learn from their mistakes.  There is no such thing as fixed intelligence – this can grow through hard work, concentration and a positive attitude to learning. 

A fixed mindset is when someone either believes that they can’t do something and isn’t willing to try or when someone feels they are already good enough at something and they aren’t motivated to improve.

At Merton Park we encourage a growth mindset by focusing on the following learning powers:

 

Concentrate

  • Manage distractions
  • Get lost in the task
  • Do one thing at a time
  • Break things down
  • Plan and think it through
  • Draw diagrams, jot down thoughts or things which help you think, mind maps
  • Remain on task, focus
  • Listen carefully

 Don’t give up

  • Work hard
  • Practise lots
  • Keep going - persevere
  • Try new strategies
  • Ask for help
  • Start again
  • Take a brain break
  • What can you do to get you out of the pit or over a hurdle?
  • Have confidence that you will get there

 Be curious

  • Ask questions
  • Notice things
  • Look for patterns and connections
  • Think of possible reasons
  • Research
  • Ask ‘What if?’, ‘How?’, ‘Why?’ etc
  • Investigate and extend the learning

Be co-operative

  • Listen to others
  • Say when you don’t understand
  • Be kind when you disagree
  • Be open to others’ ideas and be respectful
  • Explain things to help others
  • Contribute – don’t let others do all the work
  • Be tolerant
  • Be a good learning partner

  Have a go

  • Don’t worry if it goes wrong
  • Learn from mistakes
  • Be excited to try new things
  • Don’t be a passive learner – get involved
  • Be bold

 Use your imagination

  • Be creative
  • Let your imagination go
  • Think up new ideas and questions
  • Feed on others’ ideas
  • Make connections
  • Think outside the box

 Keep improving

  • Keep reviewing your work, be reflective
  • Identify your best bits
  • Improve one thing first
  • Try to be better than last time
  • Don’t compare yourself to others, only yourself!
  • Take small steps
  • Understand how you got there and what you need to do next to get even better
  • Listen to feedback and use it to help you get better
  • Celebrate when you do things well

 Enjoy learning

  • Feel proud of all your achievements
  • Feel your neurons connecting!
  • Imagine your intelligence growing by the minute!
  • Know you can do it if you practise and have support
  • Be enthusiastic
  • The school will ensure that every child experiences a range of learning opportunities and learning styles every day

 

By unlocking learning behaviours and talking the language of learning we aim to help our children develop their learning characteristics.

We aim to create classroom cultures and classroom environments that cultivate the habits and attitudes of curious, confident and independent learners.

We want all our children to be equipped with the learning habits and the qualifications to thrive in the 21st century and to be learners for life.

 

 

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