Help students reflect on mistakes: See it in action

In this video, watch a second grade teacher, Mari Montoy-Wilson, help one of her students reflect on a mistake.



In this video, Mari asks her second grade student to reflect on how she felt after making a mistake in math.

One way to help students develop a growth mindset is to change the way they think about mistakes. Research shows that we learn the most when we're engaged in challenging work, make mistakes, and learn from those mistakes. Unfortunately, many students are afraid to make mistakes and avoid them at all costs. This means they miss out on the opportunity to learn from those mistakes. One way to help students get comfortable with mistakes is by talking about them. 

Strategy: Help students understand that mistakes are opportunities to grow. When students make a mistake that might help advance their conceptual understanding of a topic, celebrate it. And help students reflect on the value of making mistakes.

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