ISG Jubail Puts Growth Mindset Into Action

ISG Jubail middle school students brought plenty of energy to their recent assembly as they explored what it means to have a growth mindset and put the idea into practice through a series of challenges.

The assembly began with middle and high school counselor Tricia Jordaan, who reflected on September’s Profile of Graduates focus, Growth Mindset. She encouraged students to think about what growth mindset means in their everyday lives and how approaching challenges with curiosity and determination can change the way they learn.

Students soon had the chance to put those ideas into action. Working in their advisory groups, they were given index cards and a limited amount of time to build the tallest tower they could using different approaches and strategies.

The room quickly filled with conversation, laughter and plenty of enthusiastic voices. Students were eager to test their ideas, adjust their plans and encourage one another as their towers took shape. The energy continued to build as groups combined their ideas and celebrated each other’s progress.

Then came a challenge that turned the tables. “You know what a growth mindset is, but do our teachers know? Let’s test them!” Mrs. Jordaan told the students. Teachers were invited to the stage and given a single piece of paper, scissors and a puzzling challenge. Their task was to figure out how to cut the paper in a particular pattern to create one enormous continuous loop that a person could actually step through.

The students were instantly invested. They cheered, called out encouragement and watched closely as their teachers tried different approaches. Superintendent Rhonda Norris joined the challenge too, adding to the excitement as teachers worked to solve the puzzle.

Math teacher Preetha Nataraj brought her mathematical thinking to the challenge and quickly worked out the measurements needed, helping her reach the solution and win the challenge.

The assembly gave students a chance to see growth mindset in action, with both students and teachers willing to experiment, rethink their approach and keep going when the first idea did not work. It was a lively celebration of learning that put September’s Profile of Graduates focus directly into practice.