Growth Mindset and Daily News

Recognize Positive Character Traits and Teach Growth Mindset with Daily News

Would you like a powerful no-prep way to start the day? What if it supported multiple ELA standards and also encouraged positive character traits as well as growth mindset?

What kid doesn't want to be a super hero? Help them see positive character traits and growth mindset as superpowers!

Here's a really simple way to start. . . Introduce one of these posters designed to encourage positive character traits and growth mindset. Give students a moment to turn and talk about what this means to them. Some days, challenge them to think of a way they can display the trait. Other times, ask them to think of a time they noticed a classmate displaying the trait. 

Write, using Interactive Writing, with the class about ways students can show these traits. As you write, reinforce the concept of using complete sentences, with a capital letter at the beginning and punctuation at the end. Take time to model stretching words to hear the sounds. Chant the spelling of sight words the group is learning.

There are many ways to manage this. I always like the craft sticks with kids' names. After kids have had a chance to turn and talk, you could pull a couple sticks. Or - if you hear something during turn and talk that you'd really like to highlight, call on that child to share!  

When you're done, you'll have some authentic text to use for shared reading with the group. Some kids will read along throughout the text. Others may just be excited to recognize their own name in print.

Want to help parents understand some of your social-emotional goals?  Print this sheet out, perhaps at the end of the week - and send it home!  In doing this, the entire class grows to see themselves as collective authors.  

Here's a sample of what a page of daily news might look like:

The posters, which are available in my TpT shop, include 18 topics to get started. You can find the Kindness Counts posters here and the Growth Mindset version here. 

In writing this daily news, there are so many ELA standards that can be addressed.  Here are just a few examples: 

• Use a combination of drawing, dictating, and writing to compose informative/explanatory texts in which they name what they are writing about and supply some information about the topic. (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.K.2)
• Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about kindergarten topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups. (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.1) 
• Speak audibly and express thoughts, feelings, and ideas clearly. (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.6)

Want to carry the learning a bit further?  These daily news charts can be the foundation of an amazing class memory book! As you create these with your class, add them to a simple 3 ring binder. I'm guessing this will quickly become a favorite.

If you ask for supplies, consider asking for a 1 inch binder with a clear pocket on the front. As you approach the end of the year, three hole punch these and place them in the binder. Give kids blank sheets as well, and have them add more examples of ways they display these traits and/or see their classmates display these traits. These can easily become an amazing memory book!

Wishing you a wonderful year!

Anne Gardner (NBCT, Literacy)