EDIN 5461 Curriculum Creativity and Design WebQuest Design Template by Malika Alimova

Introduction

 

The topic is “Rethinking your mindset” and the lesson is for 8th-grade school students. In this lesson, students learn about how brains work, how neurons are created, and what is neuroplasticity.

As a “hook” of the lesson I decided to show a short video about Neuroplasticity and ask the following questions:

• What is neuroplasticity?

• How does neuroplasticity work?

• How can you “rewire” your brain?

 

Materials needed

• Projector or Large Monitor

• Laptop/Computer, internet connection, access to YouTube

• Markers

• Poster-sized paper

• Optional: Pencils and paper for students

 

Procedure:

 

  1. Introduce a topic and deliver the importance of our brain and mindset with the help of a presentation.
  2. Demonstrate a video about types of mindset.  
  3. Once they differentiate between types, I encourage them to make a two-column poster on the beliefs and behaviors of a growth mindset and how it compares to a fixed mindset. Urge students to map out how beliefs influence behaviors which ultimately lead to results.
  4. Then, I show a video about “Growing your mind” and encourage my students to have a discussion on the following questions:

• How do people become more intelligent?

• How does the diagram of the neurons “At birth vs. At age 6” demonstrate this?

• What about the second diagram of the nerves of the animal living in a cage vs. an animal

living with other animals and toys?

• How are our brains like muscles?

• When do our brains grow the most?

  1. Personal discussion. Discuss a time when you overcame a struggle in learning and learned to solve a

problem. As a teacher, I share a personal story about a time I had to work hard to get better at something and relate it to the video. In this story, the followings need to be highlighted:

1. Hard work

2. Strategies

3. Help from others

6. To finalize my lesson, I call my students for an online competition on Kahoot platform in which they have to answer multiple choice questions in 10 minutes about everything we discussed in the lesson.

 

 
Task

I decided to include more informational context to provide them with Essential knowledge about the brain and mindsets.

Moreover, I engage them to actively take part in the lesson by creating posters, speaking in discussions, and sharing experiences in written form to develop writing skills as well.

To summarize the gained knowledge I give them an interactive way of showing their understanding. This is not a usual paper test or a task, but a digital competition among students.

Learners process the information, analyze it with discussions, share what they had, and demonstrate what was gained.

 

Process

 

  1. Warm-up activity. The quick video about neuroplasticity. (5 minutes)
  2. Explanation of the topic (20 minutes)
  3. Video about types of mindsets. (5 minutes)
  4. Two-column poster to differentiate the types of mindsets. (10 minutes)

 Here is an example how a poster looks like:

 

  1. A video about “Growing your mind” and encourage my students to have a discussion on the following questions:

• How do people become more intelligent?

• How does the diagram of the neurons “At birth vs. At age 6” demonstrate this?

• What about the second diagram of the nerves of the animal living in a cage vs. an animal

living with other animals and toys?

• How are our brains like muscles?

• When do our brains grow the most?

  1. Personal discussion. (10 minutes). Discuss a time when you overcame a struggle in learning and learned to solve a

problem. As a teacher, I share a personal story about a time I had to work hard to get better at something and relate it to the video. In this story, the followings need to be highlighted:

1. Hard work

2. Strategies

3. Help from others

7. Online competition in Kahoot (10 minutes)

 

 

 
Evaluation

 

The learners’ performance will be evaluated on an online platform ClassDojo according to the right answers.

Then, students will be listed according to how well they did on the test.

ClassDojo also makes it possible to give credit to them by giving titles according to how they performed during the test. For example, Malika Alimova- the fastest student. 

 

ClassDojo. (n.d.). ClassDojo. ClassDojo. Retrieved July 20, 2023, from https://www.classdojo.com/ru-ru/?redirect=true

 

 

Rubric:

Category

3

2

1

Point

Comprehension

The student is able to accurately answer all questions posed by a teacher

The student is able to accurately answer a few questions posed by a teacher

The student is unable to accurately answer questions posed by a teacher

Unable to answer at all

Content

Shows a full understanding

Shows a good understanding

Does not seem to understand very well

Unable to answer

Speaking

Speaks clearly and distinctly (100-95%)

Speaks clearly and distinctly (100-95%) but mispronounces sometimes.

Often mumbles or can not be understood.

Unable to answer

 

 

 
Conclusion

In conclusion, this lesson refers to mindfulness and a person’s mental well-being. By learning the above-provided information and completing tasks students will achieve my lesson outcomes and be aware of how their brains work, what should they do to create more neurons, and have a growth mindset.

This lesson is about health, psychology, and mindfulness. It covers many aspects of our life. If they have healthy reasoning skills, they may build flourishing businesses, have a good lifestyle, and own good mental health.

Credits

 

Neuroplasticity. (2012, November 6). Neuroplasticity. YouTube. https://youtu.be/ELpfYCZa87g

Growing your mind. (2014, August 19). Growing your mind. YouTube. https://youtu.be/WtKJrB5rOKs

Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset. (2017, March 26). Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset. YouTube. https://youtu.be/M1CHPnZfFmU 

ClassDojo. (n.d.). ClassDojo. ClassDojo. Retrieved July 20, 2023, from https://www.classdojo.com/ru-ru/?redirect=true 

 
Teacher Page

Before the lesson, it would be better if students knew:

  • The definition of mindset
  • Have basic knowledge about the brain
  • Know about brain neurons
  • Meditation
  • Mental health

ISTE

Curriculum Standards

SAMR Elements

Creative Elements

 

I TRIED TO make effective use of technology in my teaching process.

 

I combined technological tools – projector, computer, interactive board, and online platforms like Kahoot, YouTube, and ClassDojo, and encouraged my students to use them as well. 

 

Moreover, with the help of my lesson, my learners will become EMPOWERED LEARNERS, DIGITAL CITIZEN, AND GLOBAL COLLABORATORS.