ACTIVITY OF THE MONTH Vacant Lot Growth Mindset

Seeing Possibility Where Others See Problems 

September marks a season of change. The school year is fresh, routines are settling in, the leaves are starting to turn, and the air is starting to cool. It’s a time when we naturally notice shifts all around us—the perfect backdrop for helping students see change as an opportunity rather than an obstacle. 

Just like the seasons, our communities are always changing too. The empty storefronts and vacant lots we pass each day can feel like symbols of decline, but they can also serve as invitations to imagine something new. That’s the heart of this month’s Activity of the Month, Vacant Lot Growth Mindset. This activity challenges students to look past the surface, reframe problems, and envision the potential of what could be. It not only invites students to imagine change in their communities—it gives them a voice in shaping what that change could look like. 

How “Vacant Lot Growth Mindset” Might Be Used

In Vacant Lot Growth Mindset, students work in small teams to imagine solutions for a photographed vacant lot or building. They identify problems, empathize with community needs, and brainstorm ways to transform the space into something that creates value. Using sticky notes and markers, they illustrate their solution right on the photo and then pitch their idea to classmates, practicing the important skill of using their voice to influence and inspire others. 

The activity builds from simple brainstorming into deeper reflection, with prompts like:

  • What responsibility do we have to help our communities thrive?
  • Why is it important to see ourselves as changemakers?
  • How can mindset shift the way we approach problems? 

By the end, students don’t just see an empty lot—they see opportunity. It’s not just about celebrating a strong finish – it’s about helping students see the journey that got them to the finish line. 

Why Teachers Like This Activity

Like all of our activities and resources, this Activity of the Month gives students a chance to explore and gain confidence incorporating Foundational Principles into their learning. Vacant Lot Growth Mindset can introduce and reinforce:

  • RESPONSIBILITY Students see that we all have a role in contributing to our community.
  • PASSION Learners discover how personal motivation fuels creativity and problem-solving.
  • OPPORTUNITY Participants learn to see potential – not obstacles – in the challenges we face.
  • SOUND JUDGMENT Kids can gain experience weighing trade-offs within proposed solutions.
  • WIN-WIN FOCUS Young people practice solving problems for both them and their community.

This activity offers a concrete way to practice growth mindset: reframing setbacks and emptiness as spaces where new possibilities can grow into something meaningful. By sharing their solutions out loud and engaging in dialogue, students learn that their voices matter—that they can contribute ideas that create value for others. 

Educator Spotlight – Michele Holmes

Montana educator Michele Holmes loves how Vacant Lot Growth Mindset helps students think about their own community and how they could make it better.

“It has the flexibility for individual or group participation, and students start to see their ideas in action—growing confidence in both their thinking and their ability to share with others,” she explained. 

To spark creativity, Michele adds materials like LEGO® blocks, Play-Doh, or TINKERTOY® pieces. “Students think of it as play, but really it’s a chance to share ideas in ways that make sense to them.” She’s even invited local business owners and community leaders to hear student presentations—turning the activity into a real-world showcase of what young people can imagine when given the opportunity. 

Tips for Implementation 

Even before adding your personal spin, the activity is flexible and powerful. A few ideas to make it your own:

  • Use photos of actual/local vacant lots or empty storefronts for a stronger connection;
  • Encourage “Yes, and…” responses during share-outs to keep things collaborative;
  • Offer students ways to model their ideas – some teachers use boxes for dioramas, Michele Holmes gives kids building blocks, and California Empowered Educator Jason Collar has students use Minecraft; and
  • Extend learning by connecting the activity to larger concepts like economics, urban planning, and/or community service projects.

Keeping Growth as the Focus

Vacant Lot Growth Mindset is more than a one-day brainstorming exercise. It’s an invitation to your students to see themselves as changemakers. When we help students recognize that their ideas matter—that they can design solutions for real problems—we nurture not only creativity but also agency, responsibility, and hope. 

This month, give your students the chance to transform an “empty lot” into a vision for something greater. You may be surprised at the possibilities they uncover—not just for the photo in front of them, but for their own futures. Just as September reminds us that change is all around us—in the turning leaves, the shifting light, and the start of a new school year—this activity reminds that their voices can shape what comes next. What looks empty or stuck can become the start of something new when students have the chance to speak, share, and lead. 

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS

What got you excited about this activity? How did you adapt the provided guide to make it more impactful for your students? How did it resonate with students? We, and others in our Educator Community want to know.

Share your feedback on Teacher Talk inside Empowered Hub. Be sure to add the hashtag “#AOTM” (Activity of the Month) to your comments.

POST ON “TEACHER TALK”

Useful Links

If you found this article helpful, we encourage you to go deeper on this topic by:

Like “ACTIVITY OF THE MONTH Vacant Lot Growth Mindset”? Check out these posts: