The third-grade students of Abbott Elementary have been assigned a new project! Each student has chosen a historical figure and now must find answers to the following questions: What was their contribution to history? How has that contribution changed the world? 

Students must use the library’s databases to find answers to these questions. Amira is a third grade student that is having difficulty with this task…especially the more complex question that she must address: “how has her historical figure’s contribution changed the world?” 

Amira asks if she can simply search Google for the answers. 

Amira says she doesn’t need help, she just needs to be allowed to use Google. Googling her questions has always worked for her in the past.

Seeing her frustration, the librarian offers to help. 

The librarian senses Amira’s fixed mindset as it pertains to research tools. Wanting to encourage a growth mindset, the librarian says to Amira: “Google is a great tool, but let’s give the library’s databases a chance!” 

Amira replies “I already tried, but I couldn’t find the answer!” 

She looks around and sees the other students using the databases without any problem.

“I bet the answer is on Google,” Amira says. “I’m really good at searching for things on there. Can I just search on there instead?” 

To which the librarian patiently replies: “Trying new things can be tricky the first time. Why don’t I help you this time and see if we get a better answer?”