Growth mindset phrases poster (free printable)
Six phrase swaps down the page: the thought on the left, and a better one to try on the right. Change any of them to the words your students really say.
To save a PDF, choose Print, then “Save as PDF” as the printer. Only the sheet prints.
About this sheet
The idea behind this poster is simple: the words a child uses to talk about a difficulty shape how the child approaches it. I can't do this feels like a wall, and I can't do this yet feels like a door. The poster pairs each fixed thought with a phrase to try, in two columns with an arrow, so the swap is visible. The headings are editable too. Evidence that mindset programs raise achievement is mixed, so treat the poster as a reminder of useful language, not an intervention. It works best when you use the phrases yourself, out loud, every day, including when you make a mistake.
Grades: 1 to 8. Best in: August, September, January.
How to use it
- Edit the phrase swaps in the box, one per line, as the thought, a vertical bar, then the replacement.
- Print in color and post it where students look when they are stuck, near the math wall or the writing center.
- Teach one swap a week. Say it, show a time you used it, and ask students to catch you or a classmate using it.
Five ideas for class
- Model the language when you struggle: I can't figure out the projector yet. Let me try a different way. Students copy what they see more than what they are told.
- Collect the fixed thoughts students actually say, anonymously, and write the real ones on the poster instead of the defaults.
- Praise the strategy, not the child: you tried a new approach is more useful than you're so smart.
- Use a swap as a sentence stem in writing or math journals: Today I got stuck on… and next I will try…
- Take a swap off the poster when students no longer need it and add a new one, so the page always matches what they are working on.
Related
Questions
Does a poster change how students think?
On its own, not much. The language works when adults use it consistently and students practice it. The poster is a reminder, not a replacement for teaching.
Can I add my own phrases?
Yes. Write any pair in the box and the poster draws it. A line without a bar becomes a single wide statement across both columns.
Are the headings fixed?
No. Edit the two headings to say Instead of saying and Try saying, or whatever suits your class.
How do I save it as a PDF?
Choose Print, then pick “Save as PDF” as the printer. Only the sheet prints: the page around it is hidden. You can also save a sheet as a PNG image under the preview.
Can I print it in black and white?
Yes. Switch to Black and white beside the sheet: fills turn white and lines turn black, so it saves ink and photocopies cleanly.
Is what I type saved or sent anywhere?
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