Use this collection of thought-provoking questions to challenge your students’ current beliefs and mindsets. These thought/writing prompts encourage students to practice critical thinking and gain an understanding of alternate viewpoints.

180 Ready-to-Use Growth Mindset Prompts provides a tool for teachers to incorporate a growth mindset into their everyday lessons. Each prompt challenges students to reflect on their thinking about their own abilities and beliefs by asking them to analyze quotes, consider difficult situations, or recall a story from their own experiences.

Prompts can be used as daily bellwork, discussion starters, journal entries, exit tickets, or in support of individual lessons.

Organized by theme, these growth mindset prompts help students:

• View learning as a process, one that requires effort, support, and failure
• Recognize the mindset they are in, and shift mindsets when needed
• Persist through challenges and recognize the power of the word “YET”
• Gain control over their negative thinking and reframe problems using positive self-talk
• Understand how struggle and failure can grow their abilities
• Develop social and emotional skills of optimism, resilience, and flexibility

Sample prompts:

• How confident do you feel in your ability to succeed? Why?
• What reading activities or strategies in class have helped you grow as a reader?
• What would motivate you to go beyond what was expected of you?

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About the Author

Dr. Sara Hoeve is a high school and college instructor with over 15 years of teaching experience. She has also worked as an instructional coach and a writing consultant, supporting both pre-service and experienced teachers. She has led workshops on growth mindset pedagogy at NCTE, MCTE, and CEE conferences. Currently, Dr. Hoeve is the director of Ambassador High, an experience-based Big Picture high school in West Michigan. She lives in Hudsonville, Michigan, with her husband, Mitch, and their three children.