Educators can support students in learning grit in the classroom by promoting alternative and out of the box thinking. Providing students the opportunity to understand this concept is key to allowing students to have positive experiences, even though they are faced with challenges.

<p>
  Imagine studying for a final test that is heavily weighted for the semester.
  We’ve all been there. The amount of nerves and stress accumulates and it all
  comes to a head right before the exam. Now, how would you feel if you knew you
  would get an opportunity to retake that same test? A 2023
  <a
    href="https://www.edutopia.org/video/improve-note-taking-skills-through-testing"
    rel="noopener noreferrer"
    target="_blank"
  >
    Edutopia article</a
  >
  shared about a high school teacher who created a system for taking tests that
  allowed students two different attempts. As a result, his students not only
  showed improved test scores, but also improved note taking and reading
  abilities¹. This is just one example of how educators can support students'
  effort and perseverance, a.k.a. grit.
</p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>
  Strategies that include choices and opportunities to be successful allow
  students to gain resilience, skills, and confidence. Scientist, Angela
  Duckworth, noted that, “Our potential is one thing. What we do with it is
  another,” when referring to grit and potential. Duckworth’s study defines grit
  as, “perseverance and passion for long-term goals,” which is “the achievement
  of difficult goals entails not only talent but also the sustained and focused
  application of talent over time”.³ Although talent can be an indicator of
  potential, it does not guarantee success. In Duckworth’s 2013
  <a
    href="https://www.ted.com/talks/angela_lee_duckworth_grit_the_power_of_passion_and_perseverance/c"
    rel="noopener noreferrer"
    target="_blank"
    >TED Talk</a
  >, she notes that grit involves
  <a
    href="https://www.crosscountryeducation.com/blogs/grow-a-growth-mindset"
    rel="noopener noreferrer"
    target="_blank"
    >growing a growth mindset</a
  >
  to improve your skill set.⁴
</p>
<p><br /></p>
<p>
  Educators can support students in learning grit in the classroom by promoting
  alternative and out of the box thinking. Providing students the opportunity to
  understand this concept is key to allowing students to have positive
  experiences, even though they are faced with challenges. Teachers can provide
  teachable moments, which can include letting students redo assignments or an
  opportunity to improve what they have already submitted. The goal is to foster
  a student’s continued efforts to preserve and accomplish their goals.
</p>
<h2>Strategies that Support Grit in the Classroom:</h2>
<ul>
  <li>
    Tell students that you expect them to succeed, but let them know you’ll help
    them get there.⁵
  </li>
  <li>
    Share stories of notable people who have shown grit to accomplish a goal.⁶
  </li>
  <li>Encourage students to track their accomplishments:
      <ul>
  <li style="text-indent: 1em;">
    Write down entries that reflect their goals and aspirations.
  </li>
  <li style="text-indent: 1em;">
    Reflect on assignments and projects they have completed.
  </li>
  <li style="text-indent: 1em;">
    Help them create and keep a portfolio of work that they are proud of.
  </li>
      </ul>
  </li>
</ul>
<p><br /></p>
<p>
  It was Phillip C. McGraw, who first said, “Life’s a marathon, not a sprint.”
  This quote encourages consistent and conscientious efforts towards your goals.
  Reminding students of what they have done will motivate students towards where
  they want to go.
</p>
<h4>References:</h4>
<ol>
  <li>
    How Testing Students Twice Can Improve Note-Taking Skills. (2023, April 28).
    Edutopia.
    <a
      href="https://www.edutopia.org/video/improve-note-taking-skills-through-testing"
      rel="noopener noreferrer"
      target="_blank"
      >https://www.edutopia.org/video/improve-note-taking-skills-through-testing</a
    >
  </li>
  <li>
    Moyer, J. (2022). Weekly Quote: Angela Duckworth, Author of Grit, on
    Potential — 24 Letters. 24 Letters.<a
      href="https://www.24letters.net/blog/weekly-quote-angela-duckworth-author-of-grit-on-potential"
      rel="noopener noreferrer"
      target="_blank"
    >
      https://www.24letters.net/blog/weekly-quote-angela-duckworth-author-of-grit-on-potential</a
    >
  </li>
  <li>
    Duckworth, A. L., Peterson, C., Matthews, M. D., &amp; Kelly, D. R. (2007).
    Grit: Perseverance and passion for long-term goals. Journal of Personality
    and Social Psychology, 92(6), 1087.
  </li>
  <li>
    Duckworth, A. L. (n.d.). Grit: The power of passion and perseverance
    [Video]. TED Talks.
    <a
      href="https://www.ted.com/talks/angela_lee_duckworth_grit_the_power_of_passion_and_perseverance?utm_campaign=tedspread&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_source=tedcomshare"
      rel="noopener noreferrer"
      target="_blank"
      >https://www.ted.com/talks/angela_lee_duckworth_grit_the_power_of_passion_and_perseverance?utm_campaign=tedspread&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_source=tedcomshare</a
    >
  </li>
  <li>
    Del Mar, V. (2022). 10 Simple Ways To Build Resilience in Students in These
    Difficult Times. Vista Del Mar.
    <a
      href="https://vistadelmar.org/2021/03/10-simple-ways-to-build-resilience-in-students-in-these-difficult-times/?gad=1&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwpPKiBhDvARIsACn-gzCxTrmPlYb0flqcvBqUwvnaFQaHSAjDIm4ChRROV0iiWTXYA9GUZeQaAkEXEALw_wcB"
      rel="noopener noreferrer"
      target="_blank"
    >
      https://vistadelmar.org/2021/03/10-simple-ways-to-build-resilience-in-students-in-these-difficult-times/?gad=1&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwpPKiBhDvARIsACn-gzCxTrmPlYb0flqcvBqUwvnaFQaHSAjDIm4ChRROV0iiWTXYA9GUZeQaAkEXEALw_wcB</a
    >
  </li>
  <li>
    biglifejournal.com. (n.d.). 9 Activities To Build Grit and Resilience in
    Children. Big Life Journal.
    <a
      href="https://biglifejournal.com/blogs/blog/activities-grit-resilience-children"
      rel="noopener noreferrer"
      target="_blank"
      >https://biglifejournal.com/blogs/blog/activities-grit-resilience-children</a
    >
  </li>
</ol>
<h4>Author: Laura Ortega</h4>
