PMI (Plus, Minus, Interesting)

This month students were introduced to the PMI (Plus, Minus, Interesting) thinking strategy. This strategy is a creative lateral thinking tool developed by Edward de Bono. The PMI tool can be used to critically examine texts, analyze the implications or consequences of actions and to stimulate the sharing of thoughts and ideas.

Upper elementary students used this tool to explore and share their thoughts and ideas about failure; lower elementary students explored and shared their thoughts and ideas about mistakes. After using this tool, students heard either the story Salt in His Shoes (upper elementary) or The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes (lower elementary) and reflected upon how their thoughts and feelings around mistakes or failure can affect their mindset.  We talked about how embracing mistakes and seeing failure as a chance to learn and grow is a part of “growth mindset” and how being willing to fail and make mistakes can help you move forward in growing your brain. Older students then watched this quick video about Growth Mindset.