Growth vs Fixed Mindset

I read about this on one of the blogs I follow about people whom have a growth vs fixed mindset. 

It made me start to think about the students.  How can we foster a growth driven mindset into them, and get them out of this idea of fixed.  I think many of them,  more of them now then in the past, are stuck in this fixed mindset.  This is where excuses come from, such "I'll never get it, I'm just not talented". 

Perhaps through discussion and a safe learning environment we can foster this growth way of thinking.  That reminds me, I should start reading that book Drive by Daniel Pink.  Perhaps something in there will help as well.

Thoughts for the new year...

As I start planing for the new year, I find myself a little stuck at times.  I think mostly due to the fact that I am unsure what to expect from the students and what levels they are at.  I know that once school gets started and I get to know them, I'll have a much easier time planing for them.  Till then, I guess I'll just have to feel a little uneasy for now.

Things to do on the first day of class:
- Welcome students to new year
- Introduce myself and officers
- Go over grading policy, uniform requirements, required materials
- Rules and expectations of class/behavior
- Stand tags for each and every student (have them decorate maybe?)
- Questionnaire form (still need to create this)
- Procedures for entering/exiting class, bathroom, etc.

For the orchestra's I've been wrestling with the idea of using Sibelius (music notation software) to create my own warm-ups and exercises for them.  After speaking with a few people, I'm starting to think it'll be a really good idea.  I'm worried about finding the time to do it, and also the quality of my own work.  I suppose it'll be a learning process for me as well.

Still on the to-do list:
- Create syllabi
- Select pieces for orchestra
- Create questionnaire form for students
- Make bathroom sign-out sheet
- Stand tags...?

First Post - New Teacher Orientation

Just wrapped new teacher orientation at Moanalua High School.  Ready to start the 2010-2011 year... well going to be ready :)

I created this blog to serve as my place of reflection as I teach.  My goal: write in it at least once a month.  Hopefully I'll write in here at least once a week though.

So things I need to get done before school starts:
- Create syllabi for classes (Elden shared the grading policies with me today)
- Select a couple of pieces for the two orchestras

One last thing I'd like to share is related to the rigor, relevance, and relationship framework.  In my MSU studies, I'm working on a project to incorporate internet radio into my curriculum as a means of sharing new music with my students and also exposing them to exemplars of classical music.  I realized today that it ties in beautifully with the 3 Rs.  To read more about my research/epiphany click here.