Crumpled Paper Mistake 94 Objective You will participate

Crumpled Paper Mistake 9/4 Objective: You will participate in an experiential activity that simulates the synaptic brain activity of making a “mistake”.

First step • Take out 2 clean pieces of paper. • On the first one write about a mistake you made this week and how it made you feel. You do not need to write in complete sentences, nor do you need to discuss it with anyone.

Second & Third steps: • Take the second piece of paper (clean)-write your name on it, crumple it up and throw it at the front board – use all the feelings you had when you made the mistake. • Go get your paper-un-crumple it-see all the lines and creases? Color them-these represent all the synaptic activity that happens when you make a “mistake”.

Fourth step: Ponder this: • How do you feel when you make a mistake? Why? • How do you think other people see you when you make a mistake? • Have you ever discovered something new from making a mistake? • Have you ever felt proud of making a mistake? • Has a mistake ever made you think more deeply about a problem? • Now ….

Lastly • View failure in a different light: see failure as an opportunity to learn from your experiences and apply what you have learned next time around. • Place the crumpled-synaptic paper in your notebook as a reminder of how much your brain GROWS and LEARNS every time you make a “mistake”-how will you view this experience? • Hand out: 8 principles of growth mindset/25 suggestions to build yours!