Noticing Mistakes Boosts Learning by Alison Pearce Stevens

by Alison Pearce Stevens 2017

We've identified these texts as great options for text pairings based on similar themes, literary devices, topic, or writing style. Supplement your lesson with one or more of these options and challenge students to compare and contrast the texts. To assign a paired text, click on the text to go to its page and click the "Assign Text" button there.

The Wright Brothers: Air Pioneers

David White

Learn about how two American brothers beat the odds, inventing and building the world's first successful airplane in this biographical text.

Pair “The Wright Brothers: Air Pioneers” with “Noticing Mistakes Boosts Learning” and ask students to discuss the importance of mistakes. How did the Wright brothers make mistakes before building the world’s first airplane? How do students think the mistakes they made eventually led to their success? Do students think the Wright brothers had a growth mindset or fixed mindset? Why?

6th Grade Biography 960L

The Crow and the Pitcher

Aesop

In this fable of Aesop, a thirsty crow is desperate for a drink of water.

Pair “The Crow and the Pitcher” with “Noticing Mistakes Boosts Learning” and ask students to compare the main ideas of the two texts. How does the crow learn from his mistakes and eventually succeed in his efforts? How do students think the crow’s actions would be different if he ignored his mistakes instead of learning from them?

5th Grade Fable 910L

A Quick Note on Getting Better at Difficult Things

Ta-Nehisi Coates

In "A Quick Note on Getting better at Difficult Things," Ta-Nehisi Coates shares his own experiences struggling with a new skill and why it's important to do so.

Pair “A Quick Note on Getting Better at Difficult Things” with “Noticing Mistakes Boosts Learning” and ask students to discuss the attitude they should have when trying something new. How does Ta-Nehisi Coates describe the right attitude to have when learning something new? How does this compare to the fixed mindset and growth mindset discussed in “Noticing Mistakes Boosts Learning”? How do students think Coates handles making mistakes when he’s learning a new skill?

6th Grade Opinion 690L

Identificar los errores estimula el aprendizaje

Alison Pearce Stevens

This text is available in both English and Spanish. Click here to view this text in the other language.

6th Grade Informational Text 790L

Can You Erase All Of Your Mistakes?

Wonderopolis

In "Can You Erase All Of Your Mistakes?," Wonderopolis explains how the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur is celebrated.

Pair “Noticing Mistakes Boosts Learning” with “Can You Erase All Of Your Mistakes?” and have students think about the importance of noticing mistakes both in the classroom and in life. According to “Noticing Mistakes Boosts Learning,” what are the different ways people respond to making mistakes? What have scientists found is the best way to deal with mistakes? How does this relate to how Jewish people observe Yom Kippur in “Can You Erase All Of Your Mistakes?” How does this holiday relate to having a “growth mindset” as explained in “Noticing Mistakes Boosts Learning”?

5th Grade Informational Text 1250L

Turkey Trot

Isabella Gallo

In "Turkey Trot" a boy reluctantly agrees to run with his family during a Thanksgiving Day race.

Pair “Noticing Mistakes Boosts Learning” with “Turkey Trot” and have students talk about how both texts discuss what it means to have a fixed mindset and the benefits of having a growth mindset. How does “Noticing Mistakes Boosts Learning” describe a fixed mindset compared to a growth mindset? What are some ways people can shift their thinking from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset? How is Micah in “Turkey Trot” an example of our ability to move from having a fixed mindset to a growth mindset? What are some ways Micah changes his way of thinking?

5th Grade Short Story 710L

Learning How to be Patient: the Marshmallow Experiment

Melissa L. Weber

In "Learning How to be Patient: the Marshmallow Experiment," Melissa L. Weber discusses the findings of a famous experiment that tested the behaviors of young children.

Pair “Noticing Mistakes Boosts Learning” with “Learning How to be Patient: the Marshmallow Experiment” and have students talk about how both texts discuss what it means to have a fixed mindset and the benefits of having a growth mindset. How does “Noticing Mistakes Boosts Learning” describe a fixed mindset compared to a growth mindset? What are some ways people can shift their thinking from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset? How are the subjects of the experiment in “Learning How to be Patient: the Marshmallow Experiment” an example of our ability to move from having a fixed mindset to a growth mindset? What are some ways both texts suggest we can change our way of thinking?

5th Grade Informational Text 840L

Inside the Eye of the Clumsy Dragon

Patrick Harris II

In "Inside the Eye of the Clumsy Dragon," a teenage boy learns an important lesson about perseverance after participating in a martial arts class.

Pair “Noticing Mistakes Boosts Learning” with “Inside the Eye of the Clumsy Dragon” and have students talk about how both texts discuss what it means to have a fixed mindset and the benefits of having a growth mindset. How does “Noticing Mistakes Boosts Learning” describe a fixed mindset compared to a growth mindset? What are some ways people can shift their thinking from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset? How is Mehki in “Inside the Eye of the Clumsy Dragon” an example of our ability to move from having a fixed mindset to a growth mindset? What are some ways Mehki changes his way of thinking?

5th Grade Short Story 660L

Paired Texts > Noticing Mistakes Boosts Learning