Mindset Makeover Guide Teacher Resource Small Group Series
Mindset Makeover
A 6-session small group curriculum for 7th graders designed to build resilience, manage anxiety, and cultivate a growth mindset.
Why This Matters
Early adolescence brings rising anxiety; teaching growth mindset and coping skills in a small group builds emotional resilience, improves self-confidence, and supports overall well-being.
At A Glance
Audience: 7th Grade StudentsDuration: 6 Sessions (30 mins each)Format: Small Group (Tier 2 Support)
Preparation Checklist
Print Handouts
Ensure enough copies of all 6 session handouts, the Anxiety Journal, and the Growth Mindset Poster.
Setup Environment
Arrange seating in a circle to foster open discussion and eye contact. Have a whiteboard and markers ready.
Review Slides
Familiarize yourself with the visual presentation and teacher notes for each session.
Mindset Makeover Series Guide
Sessions 1 - 3
Session 1: Understanding Anxiety
30 MINS
Steps
Welcome students and conduct a quick check-in.
Define anxiety and brainstorm common triggers as a group.
Complete Identify Your Anxieties handout.
Discuss early warning signs (physical and mental).
Assign Anxiety Journal for weekly tracking.
Materials
• Session 1 Handout
• Anxiety Journal
• Whiteboard
Session 2: Intro to Growth Mindset
30 MINS
Steps
Check-in: Students share one journal entry from the week.
Explain fixed vs. growth mindset using the Poster .
Complete Growth Mindset Statements handout.
Pair-share: Applying growth mindset to current challenges.
Homework: Reframe one challenge using growth mindset self-talk.
Materials
• Growth Mindset Poster
• Session 2 Handout
• Journal
Session 3: Coping Toolbox
30 MINS
Steps
Check-in: Share a high and a low from the week.
Group Brainstorm: List coping strategies on the whiteboard.
Review the Coping Strategies List handout.
Group Practice: Lead a deep-breathing exercise (e.g., box breathing).
Commitment: Choose one strategy to try at home/school.
Materials
• Session 3 Handout
• Whiteboard Markers
Sessions 4 - 6
Session 4: Challenging Thoughts
30 MINS
Steps
Check-in: Share experiences using the chosen coping strategy.
Teach the Cognitive Triangle (Thought -> Feeling -> Behavior).
Role-play scenarios provided in the session slides.
Complete Challenging Negative Thoughts handout.
Homework: Catch and reframe one negative thought pattern.
Materials
• Session 4 Handout
• Session Slides
Session 5: Cultivating Resilience
30 MINS
Steps
Check-in: Discuss insights from the thought-tracking journal.
Share resilience stories (personal, historical, or fictional).
Complete Resilience Reflection Sheet .
Identify personal strengths and brainstorm lessons from setbacks.
Homework: Record a resilience story in the journal.
Materials
• Session 5 Handout
• Optional: Resilience Videos/Bios
Session 6: Action Plan & Closure
30 MINS
Steps
Check-in: One key takeaway from the resilience session.
Guided planning: Complete the Action Plan Template .
Accountability Pair-Share: Students share their plans in pairs.
Group Celebration: Highlight specific progress and growth observed.
Closure: Final feedback and encouragement to keep journaling.
Materials
• Session 6 Handout
• Celebration Certificates/Small Treat
Pro Tip
"Consistency is key. Use the first 5 minutes of every session to establish a safe routine where students feel heard. The more they practice sharing their 'lows' and 'growth moments,' the more resilient the group dynamic becomes."
Mindset Makeover Slides Small Group Workshop
MINDSET
MAKEOVER
Managing anxiety, building resilience, and growing through challenges.
The Roadmap
01
Understanding Anxiety
Triggers and warning signs.
02
Growth Mindset Intro
Fixed vs. Growth thinking.
03
Coping Toolbox
Practical stress management.
04
Challenging Thoughts
Cognitive triangle & reframing.
05
Cultivating Resilience
Bouncing back from setbacks.
06
Action Plan
Personalized tools for the future.
Session 01
Understanding Anxiety
1
Check-in: How are you feeling?
2
Defining "Anxiety"
3
Common Triggers
4
Activity: Identify Your Anxieties
Key Insight
"Anxiety is a normal response to stress. When we understand our triggers, we can take control of how we react."
Session 02
Intro to Growth Mindset
Fixed Mindset
"I'm not good at this."
Avoids challenges.
Gives up easily.
Ignores feedback.
Growth Mindset
"I can improve with effort."
Embraces challenges.
Persists through failure.
Learns from feedback.
Session 03
Building Your Toolbox
Breathing
Box breathing and deep belly breaths.
Positive Talk
Reframing "I can't" to "I can try."
Support
Talking to a friend or trusted adult.
Session 04
The Cognitive Triangle
Thoughts
What we think.
Feelings
How we feel.
Behavior
What we do.
Session 05
What is Resilience?
It’s the ability to bounce back from stress, challenge, tragedy, trauma, or adversity.
It's NOT:
Never feeling pain or difficulty. It's not "just being happy."
It IS:
Working through emotional pain and suffering to find a way forward.
Final Session
Your Action Plan
Today we will:
Set one specific personal goal.
Choose our favorite coping tools.
Celebrate how far we've come!
You've got this!
Anxiety Journal Template Anxiety Journal
Daily Reflection & Tracking
Student Name
Today's Date
Intensity (1-5)
1
2
3
4
5
1. What triggered my anxiety today?
Describe the situation or thought that set it off.
2. Physical signs I noticed
e.g., racing heart, sweaty palms, shaky hands.
3. Thoughts running through my mind
4. How did I respond?
My behaviors or actions
5. Coping strategy used
If any
Final Reflection
What could I try next time to manage this even better?
Identify Your Anxieties Worksheet Session 01 Handout
Identify Your Anxieties
Name:
Date:
1
Common Anxiety Situations
List three situations when you often feel anxious. Be as specific as you can (e.g., "before a math test," "walking into the cafeteria").
01
02
03
Physical Signs
How does your body react?
Mental Signs
What thoughts or feelings come up?
4
Reflection and Next Steps
1. Choose one situation from Part 1. What usually triggers your anxiety in this situation?
2. What is one small strategy you could try next time? (e.g., deep breathing, positive talk)
3. How will you know if it's helping? What will you notice?
Growth Mindset Statements Worksheet Session 02 Handout
Growth Mindset Statements
Name:
1
Label the Mindset
Read each statement and write Fixed or Growth next to it.
“I’ll never get better at this.”
“I can’t do this math problem.”
“Challenges help me learn.”
“Mistakes mean I’m not smart.”
“I can improve with practice.”
2
Reframe Statements
Choose three fixed mindset statements from above. Rewrite each as a growth mindset statement.
Original (Fixed)
Reframe (Growth)
3
Apply to Your Own Challenge
Describe a challenge you're facing right now:
Fixed thought about it:
Growth mindset reframe:
Growth Mindset Poster Visual GROWTH MINDSET
Believe you can. Work for it. Grow from it.
Fixed
• "I'm not good at this."
• Belief that ability is set in stone.
• Avoids challenges to stay "smart."
• Gives up easily when it gets hard.
• Sees effort as pointless.
• Ignores feedback and criticism.
Growth
• "I can improve with practice."
• Belief that effort builds ability.
• Embraces challenges as learning.
• Persists when facing setbacks.
• Sees effort as the path to mastery.
• Learns from feedback and mistakes.
Key Phrases to Remember
"I can't do this... yet!"
"Mistakes are proof that I'm trying."
"Challenges help me grow."
"My brain is a muscle."
Coping Strategies Worksheet Session 03 Handout
Coping Toolbox
Name:
1
Brainstorm Coping Strategies
List at least eight different coping strategies you know or have heard of.
2
Reflect on Strategies
1. Choose one strategy you have tried before. Which one?
How did it help? Describe what you noticed in your body or thoughts.
2. Choose one NEW strategy from your list above. Which one?
Why do you think this might work for you?
3
Plan to Practice
When will you practice it? (e.g., “Before a test”)
What will remind you?
How will you know if it's helping?
Challenging Negative Thoughts Worksheet Session 04 Handout
Challenging Negative Thoughts
Name:
1
The Cognitive Triangle
How your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors connect. Fill in each box with an example from a recent situation.
Event (What happened?)
Thought (Mindset)
Feeling (Emotion)
Behavior (Action)
2
Challenge Your Negative Thought
Evidence FOR this thought
Evidence AGAINST this thought
Balanced Alternative Thought
Combine the evidence to find a more realistic way of thinking.
What is one thing you learned about how challenging thoughts helps manage anxiety?
Resilience Reflection Worksheet Session 05 Handout
Resilience Reflection
Name:
1
Share a Story of Resilience
Choose a time when you or someone you know faced a challenge and bounced back.
Who showed resilience? (Person’s name or “me”)
What was the challenge faced?
How did they respond?
2
Identify Strengths
What qualities did this person use? (e.g., bravery, patience, asking for help).
3
Lessons Learned
What lesson can you take from this story and apply to your own life?
4
Your Resilience Plan
Upcoming Challenge:
Strength(s) to use:
Specific Action Steps:
Action Plan Template Worksheet Session 06 Handout
My Action Plan
Name:
You’ve learned many tools to manage anxiety, challenge negative thoughts, and build resilience. Use this template to create a personalized plan you can follow after our group sessions end.
My Primary Goal
What is one specific thing you want to achieve? (e.g., "Use deep breathing before every test")
Concrete Steps
01
02
03
Potential Obstacles
Challenge & Solution
Support Network
Who can help:
How they support:
Tracking Success
Measure:
Review Date:
A Promise to Myself
How does having this plan make you feel? Why will it help you grow?
