Challenging Mindset
Why a Growth Mindset Makes a Difference in Learning – and What to Do When It Doesn’t
Corwin Teaching Essentials
"James Nottingham and Bosse Larsson offer an important and useful new addition to the ongoing conversation about mindset first introduced by Carol Dweck. Too often, theories such as mindset get reduced down to the simplest dichotomies and ideologies. Here, Nottingham and Larsson challenge our own mindset about the very idea of mindset theory itself, showing us what is possible if we really understand the theory and use it to challenge ourselves and our students."
Jim Burke,
Teacher, Burlingame High School, and Author, Common Core Companion Series
This book answers key questions about Carol Dweck’s theory of Mindset – What is a ‘growth mindset’ and what difference can it make? Why are growth mindset interventions not working in schools (yet) and what can be done to change this? What is a ‘failure mindset’ and why is it more influential than an adult’s fixed or growth mindset?
Drawing on their experiences of presenting alongside Carol Dweck on many occasions, James Nottingham and Bosse Larsson tackle head-on these questions with research-backed clarity, and share proven strategies for mindset success. Mindset doesn’t matter when things are easy; it is only when faced with challenges that working from a growth mindset influences learning.
Highlights of the book include:
- Comments and insights from Carol Dweck to enhance your understanding of her important work
- A detailed and nuanced examination of how mindset works and what you can do to make it more effective for your students
- An exploration of the relationship between mindset and grades
- Strategies to encourage a growth mindset during moments of challenge
- Comprehensive lesson ideas for teaching students about mindset
- Why praising ‘effort’ can be powerful but also problematic, with an identification of what type of praise is best
- Examples of how to make the most of mindset theory and practice
Everyone has a mindset that shapes their personality, motivation and development. This book shows you how to create the right conditions for a growth mindset to flourish in your classroom, your school, your staff and your students.
Free resources
Mindset Self-Reflection Tool
Use this tool from Chapter 1 of Challenging Mindset to learn more about the impact your mindset can have and the next steps toward change.
How Mindset Affects the Learning Challenge Journey
This diagram of the Learning Pit from Challenging Mindset describes the effects of mindset at each step the learning challenge journey.
Challenging Mindset Lessons
Try out these lessons from Challenging Mindset with your students. Each lesson is designed to engage your students in cognitive conflict about some of the important concepts connected with mindset: influence, self-efficacy, heritability, development, challenge, resilience, and talent.
"Nottingham and Larsson’s new book is accessible and inviting. It will help you navigate the world of mindset concepts and research, and focus on actions that can have high impact. I respect these authors and enjoyed the clarity and good humor they bring to their book—as will you. I highly recommend Challenging Mindset."
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"Changing mindsets is hard – but if it can be done, the directions are throughout this wonderful book. The book talks about when, how, and where growth mindsets matter, and it brings a refreshing perspective to this important but often misunderstood notion."
"James Nottingham and Bosse Larsson offer an important and useful new addition to the ongoing conversation about mindset first introduced by Carol Dweck. Too often, theories such as mindset get reduced down to the simplest dichotomies and ideologies. Here, Nottingham and Larsson challenge our own mindset about the very idea of mindset theory itself, showing us what is possible if we really understand the theory and use it to challenge ourselves and our students."
“Mindset is a word that has been thrown around a great deal over the years. Unfortunately, most educators who use the word didn’t understand the real context behind it. Nottingham and Larsson not only focus on the nuances of mindset, but offer practical strategies on how to use the research correctly so students can succeed! Challenging Mindset will be an important read for a very long time.”
“James Nottingham and Bosse Larsson have the unique ability to activate the thinking of their readers by bridging the divide between research and practice. The “Now Try This” sections encourage readers to engage with heart, head, and hand to relate what they are learning to their current practices and to share those ides with colleagues. They have masterfully deepened our understanding of Carol Dweck’s work and aligned her thinking to their work around The Learning Challenge.”
"Nottingham and Larsson provide a much needed clarification of growth mindset, grounded in research and illustrated through relevant classroom examples. The authors provide practical tools and strategies to support educators in the correct application of mindset to impact student learning. A must read for all educators!"
"Wow. Each one of the books in the Learning Challenge series deepens my understanding of how to be a better teacher, leader, and parent. We have all read the research on the importance of having a growth mindset but here lies a complete guide with visuals, strategies, and explanations for how to make it come to life in the classroom."
