Mrs. Flier Finally Proves Growth Mindset is a REAL THING!!

 I've been telling 2nd graders for a while now that I am going to show scientific proof that growth mindset is a real thing and not something I just made up!  We have been talking about parts of the brain so we can understand the basics, and our last lesson we talked about neuroplasticity.  Yes.  Second graders can pronounce that!! 

I demonstrated using pipe cleaners between three "neurons" and how when we first try something, the "pathway" for this activity is a thin connection.  If we push through the challenge and continue to practice, the pathway gets thicker - thus, the activity gets easier. We talk about if we were to give up and have a fixed mindset about something hard, that neural pathway would remain rather weak... but if we continue to practice, the pathway for that activity (math, reading, riding a bike, shooting a basketball) becomes stronger and you don't even have to think about it because your brain has such a thick neural pathway for that! 

Next time your 2nd grader is saying "I just can't do this!!", remind them that they need to strengthen the neural pathway for it ;)

Kindergarten Learns Protective Behaviors!

 Kindergarten has wrapped up the three Protective Behaviors lessons in Life skills.  We have talked about 8 common rules ("Never Never Rules") how to stay safe by "Reconizing, Reporting, and Refusing" and how to be assertive in saying no to things that are unsafe or that make us feel uncomfortable. 

It's not all serious business though - we always had time to DANCE to the 8 Never Never Song.  Be warned - it is very catchy and will be stuck in your head :)

Success with Sensory Paths!

We have been very fortunate to use Sensory Paths in our building for the past few years!  See the transformation below - from our original sensory path to our more permanent one, and even a new one this year on our catwalk!

Willow River Original Sensory Path

Sensory Path with New Nature Theme

Catwalk Sensory Path

BRAINS in 2nd grade!

If your 2nd grader said "hippocampus" or "pre-frontal cortex" or "amygdala" around the dinner table, you can be proud of them for becoming little neuroscientists!  We have been learning about the difference between growth mindset and fixed mindset this year, but we are to the point where I finally get to "prove" to them why its a real thing and not just something I made up.  

Learning how the brain functions allows kids to understand what is going on when they feel certain ways.  As we dig deeper into the brains, we will be talking about neuroplasticity - how our neurons wire together to learn new things.  Which explains why when we do something for the first time, it is hard!  The wiring isn't solid yet.  But the more we practice, the stronger that connection gets, and that same new skills or task becomes easier and easier because it takes less brainpower to pull it off. 

I tricked the kids into thinking I had brought in a real brain.... as realistic as this was, don't worry - it was just jello :)  Still, the reactions were priceless!