Skills for Life

Food for Thought...

Dear Teacher,
I am a survivor of a concentration camp. My eyes saw what no man should witness:
Gas chambers built by learned engineers; children poisoned by educated
physicians; infants killed by trained nurses; women and babies shot by college and
high-school graduates; so I am suspicious of education. My request is: help your
students to become human. Your efforts must never produce learned monsters,
skilled psychopaths, educated Eichmanns. Reading, writing and arithmetic are
important only if they serve to make our children more human...
5 Ways to Wellbeing…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yF7Ou43Vj6c
1. Support 1. Daily mile 1. Rich, engaging 1. Daily 1. Modelling and
during 2. PE twice a curriculum mindfulness recognising
playtimes week 2. Wow days 2. Talking about acts of
Social groups 3. Range of 3. New what we kindness in
2. Nurture activities at experiences notice school
groups 4. Open 2. Charity
break times 3. Talking about
3. Well-being questioning fundraising
4. Regular how we feel
lunch time 5. Teaching 3. Working with
drop-in (Weds) movement 4. Noticing the our local
resourcefulness
4. Citizenship breaks little things community e.g.
6. Avoiding spoon
curriculum feeding e.g. acts of links with
5. Speaking and kindness Bartlett’s
listening residential
opportunities home
6. Restorative
justice
 Fleas in a Jar

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-Dn2KEjPuc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=ElVUqv0v1EE
 So What Can We Do?

• All stakeholders completed an initial questionnaire and

recorded results
• Educate about growth mindset and its value, the
importance of teaching skills and the strategies we
can use in school and at home
• Apply strategies
• Measure impact – annual questionnaires
 In-School Strategies

• Brainology first – educate about neuroplasticity and

Growth Mindset (Mojo)
• Healthy learning habits – diet, exercise, sleep mindfulness
• Once a week – Skills for Life assembly where skill is
introduced
• Whole school and class displays
EYFS
 Daily Teaching Strategies

•Tie in Learning Power of the week into planning wherever

possible
•Displayed in class
•Draw on skills wherever possible after focus week
The Dip
 Terminology
•Use growth mindset terminology in framing and feedback
Questioning

•Use open questions – ‘could’ and ‘might’ rather than closed

Higher Order Thinking Activities

•Odd One Out: Which might be the odd one out

between a circle, square and rectangle?

•Would You Rather: Would you rather be a full

stop, a comma or a question mark?

•Who Might Win?: Who might win in a fight

between a Viking, an Ancient Greek or an Ancient
Egyptian? Why?

•If …. is the Answer: If condensation is the

answer, what might the question be?
For all activities, children are encouraged to explain their
reasoning.
Challenge For All
•Teachers plan activities which allow all to access the learning
but progressive challenge through activities
•Children choose their challenge – ‘Mild’, ‘Spicy’, ‘Hot’ tasks
•No glass ceilings
•Assessment for learning crucial in order to train children to
choose a task which will put them in ‘The Dip’ and challenge
them
 What Can You Do?
Parents support their children’s learning both inside and outside the classroom.
They partner with teachers and respond to outreach. They worry less about
advocating for their children to get good grades and focus on making sure they
are being challenged and put in the effort needed to grow.

•Ask open-ended questions to solve a problem or achieve a goal

•Use specific feedback that identifies what the child accomplished

•Encourage children to take a risk

•Be persistent and growth-orientated yourself

•Don’t worry about the small stuff

•Encourage your child to teach you about growth mindset!

 Growth Mindset Resources
For videos/activities for children:
Big Life Journal: https://biglifejournal.com/

Class Dojo Growth Mindset Clips:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zrtHt3bBmQ

Sesame Street Clips (for younger children):

https://www.youtube.com/results?
search_query=sesame+sreet+growth+mindset

For further information:

Mindset works:
https://www.mindsetworks.com/science/

Carol Dweck TED talk (for background information):

https://www.ted.com/talks/
carol_dweck_the_power_of_believing_that_you_can_improv
e