Growth Mindset Introduction

Overview

This 60-minute lesson introduces Year 9 Business students in New Zealand to the concept of a growth mindset, emphasising its critical role in entrepreneurship. Students will explore how cultivating a growth mindset can positively influence their ability to innovate, persist, and succeed in business contexts. The lesson aligns with the New Zealand Curriculum’s vision, principles, values, and particularly supports the development of key competencies in managing self, thinking, and relating to others.

Curriculum Links

Learning Area: Social Sciences / Business Studies (Year 9)

Key Competencies:

Managing self: Students develop perseverance and resilience by understanding the growth mindset.
Thinking: Students analyse and apply the concept of growth mindset to entrepreneurial situations.
Relating to others: Students communicate and collaborate through group discussions.
Using language, symbols and texts: Students articulate and reflect on ideas about mindset and entrepreneurship.

Relevant Curriculum Aspects:

Developing enterprising attitudes and capabilities through exploration of entrepreneurial concepts.
Encouraging personal and social development needed for success in business and innovation contexts.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

Define growth mindset and distinguish it from a fixed mindset.
Explain why a growth mindset is important in entrepreneurship.
Reflect on their own mindset and identify areas for growth.
Recognise how perseverance and learning from failure contribute to entrepreneurial success.

Lesson Structure and Timing

Time	Activity	Description
0-10 mins	Starter Activity: What’s Your Mindset?	Interactive quiz or simple statements on growth vs fixed mindset. Students raise hands/respond to identify their initial understanding of mindset types.
10-20 mins	Teacher Explanation & Video	Short teacher-led introduction of growth mindset concepts referencing Carol Dweck's theory. Followed by an age-appropriate video illustrating growth mindset in action, with a focus on entrepreneurial stories. (Use real-life NZ business/startup examples if possible.)
20-30 mins	Class Discussion: Growth Mindset & Entrepreneurs	Guided discussion on how entrepreneurs face challenges and learn from setbacks. Use open questions to link growth mindset attributes to entrepreneurial traits like innovation, risk-taking, and resilience.
30-45 mins	Group Activity: Mindset Scenarios	Students in small groups (4-5) discuss given business-related scenarios where entrepreneurs succeed or fail. Each group identifies where growth mindset or fixed mindset behaviours are displayed and reports back.
45-55 mins	Personal Reflection & Goal Setting	Individual students write down one personal example where they exhibited a fixed mindset and how they could adopt a growth mindset instead. Then, set one goal to improve in this area during the unit.
55-60 mins	Recap and Exit Ticket	Quick quiz or written response: “What is a growth mindset? Why is it useful for entrepreneurs?”

Detailed Activity Descriptions

Starter Activity: What’s Your Mindset?

Present statements such as "I am either good at something or I am not," and "Mistakes help me learn," for a ‘thumbs up’ or ‘thumbs down’ response.
Briefly discuss the two mindsets and ask students which they mostly agree with.

Teacher Explanation & Video

Define growth mindset: the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed with effort and persistence.
Contrast with fixed mindset: the belief that abilities are static.
Present examples of famous entrepreneurs who initially failed but persisted (locally where possible).
Play a 4-5 minute video illustrating growth mindset in everyday life/business.

Class Discussion: Growth Mindset & Entrepreneurs

Possible questions:
Why do you think entrepreneurs need to be resilient?
Can failure help someone succeed later? How?
How does believing in your ability to improve help in business?

Group Activity: Mindset Scenarios

Provide short written scenarios modelling fixed and growth mindset behaviour in entrepreneurial settings.
Groups discuss and label mindset type and behaviours.
Groups share findings with the class.

Personal Reflection & Goal Setting

Use guided reflection prompts:
Think of a time you gave up on a challenge.
How could a growth mindset help you in this situation?
What is one small action you can take to show a growth mindset in this unit?

Recap and Exit Ticket

Collect to inform understanding and plan future lessons.

Resources Needed

Printout or slide of mindset statements for starter.
Video about growth mindset and entrepreneurship.
Scenario cards for group activity.
Student reflection worksheet.
Pens and paper.

Assessment and Feedback

Informal assessment through observation of group discussions and participation.
Exit tickets provide evidence of student understanding.
Reflection activity supports self-assessment and personal goal setting, linked to managing self competency.
Use reflections for teacher feedback and to guide next lessons.

Teacher Notes

Explicitly model a growth mindset by sharing your own learning experiences or challenges in entrepreneurship/business topics.
Make connections to the New Zealand entrepreneurial environment to increase relevance.
Be culturally responsive, recognising different student backgrounds and tailoring examples.
Encourage positive language and peer support during discussions.

This plan embraces the vision of the New Zealand Curriculum by nurturing confident, connected, and actively involved learners, equipping students with entrepreneurial mindsets for lifelong learning and contribution to their communities.

If you need any further lesson plans in this unit or additional resources, feel free to ask!

Teaching Instructions