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10 Tips for Harnessing Grit in the Classroom!
India White • May 23, 2023
10 Tips for Harnessing Grit in the Classroom!- Dr. India White
Harnessing Grit in the Math Classroom!
As a math teacher, you know that perseverance and resilience are essential qualities for success in the subject. However, not all students come to your classroom with these traits fully developed. Studies have shown that the acheivement gap has increased since the pandemic, and since the year 2020, about 2 million students continue to drop out of school each year. With these straggering numbers, it is imperative for educators to know how to bounce back in the face of failure, anxiety and uncertainty. Fortunately, there are strategies you can use to help your students harness grit in the math classroom. Here are ten tips to get you started: 1. Set high expectations: Let your students know that you believe in their ability to succeed in math. Encourage them to set high goals for themselves and work hard to achieve them. NCTM speaks about setting high expectations, and that when a math teacher does this effectively they implement 5 strategies:
As you continue to set high expectations, students will begin to trust and open up in the classroom, being willing to take a risk during mathematical discourse and productive struggle, which will lead to conceptual understanding.
2. Emphasize effort over talent:
Teach your students that success in math is not just about being naturally gifted. Emphasize the importance of hard work, practice, and perseverance. Duckworth found in her research that students who perseveared over those who solely relied on talent had more grit. It is imperative that educators choose to stay focused on developing grit versus being impressed off of how talent students are. There's nothing like a "hard work ethic"; this can be established in the math classroom.
3. Provide challenging tasks:
Give your students tasks that are challenging but achievable. This will help them develop their problem-solving skills and build their confidence. Students that do not feel challenged lack motivation and tend to get bored during instruction, causing them to veer off into disciplinary situations.
4. Encourage collaboration: Encourage your students to work together on math problems. This will help them develop their communication skills and learn from each other's strengths. As students are involved in mulitple opportunities during a lesson to collaoboration their engagement increases, which has a positive affect on their ability to perform at a level of proficiency in the classroom.
5. Celebrate mistakes: Teach your students that mistakes are a natural part of the learning process. Encourage them to learn from their mistakes and use them as opportunities for growth. Experts from Art Innovation discovered that celebrating mistakes helps lead to innovation in the classroom.
6. Provide feedback: Give your students feedback on their work that is specific, actionable, and focused on improvement. This will help them develop a growth mindset and see mistakes as opportunities for learning. Dr. John Hattie recognized that teacher feedback
is one of the main effective teaching strategies that attributes to student gains in the classroom.
7. Use real-world examples:
Use real-world examples to help your students see the relevance of math in their lives. This will help them stay motivated and engaged in the subject. Further, this helps with culturally responsive teaching, which helps teachers to truly hook students in learning and strengthen relationships with their students.
8. Teach self-regulation:
Teach your students strategies for managing their emotions and staying focused on their goals. This will help them develop the self-regulation skills they need to persevere through challenging tasks.
9. Model grit: Model grit in your own behavior. Let your students see you working hard, persevering through challenges, and celebrating your own mistakes as opportunities for growth. Teachers are a child's best role model, and being able to model out for students how to remain gritty
during instruction is key for develop students who will remain studious, hardworking and motivated to always perform at their best.
10. Provide support: Finally, provide your students with the support they need to succeed. This might include extra help sessions, one-on-one tutoring, or access to online resources. Students might also need emotional support as they continue to work through math anxiety, and personal emotional hardships they may undergo while learning in their math class.
Conclusion
By using these ten strategies, you can help your students develop the grit they need to succeed in math and in life. Remember, grit is not just about talent or intelligence – it's about the willingness to work hard, persevere through challenges, and never give up on your goals. With your help, your students can develop these essential qualities and achieve success in math and beyond.
For more information regarding how you can harness grit, feel free to watch my TEDx talk: The Power of Grit!, or, grab one of my workbooks on Grit! Contact me at India.White.123@gmail.com for more information on these amazing resources!
‼️So grateful for the opportunity to hear testimonials and reviews from a few rockstar educators about their takeaways and experiences from my Equitable math 🧮 practices session at MCTM in Minnesota this weekend🤩! It's inspiring to hear teachers who provide feedback and work to close the achievement gap. 🥰Let's continue learning from each other and making a difference in the lives of our students! #teacherappreciation #education #equitablemath #achievementgap #drindiawhite #teachers #tedx #equity Check out the session highlights here:
‼️Listen as a gritty Middle Eastern teacher explains how attending my Equity Keynote at the Math conference, helped her connect her experience as a BIPOC educator with her perspective on how to implement equitable practices for all students and relate to students of different cultures! #drindiawhite #tedx #equity #dei #math #education #teachers #students #bipoc #savvas #nctm #ncsm #bwxme #nabse #habse #uf
I urge you to take a moment to listen to Dr. India White's enlightening TEDx talk, "The Power of Grit," where she delves into what drives grit in the lives of leaders, teachers, and students every day. In this captivating presentation, Dr. White offers invaluable insights into the transformative potential of grit—the unwavering determination and resilience that propel individuals toward their goals, even in the face of adversity. As educators and leaders, we play a pivotal role in instilling and nurturing grit among our students and colleagues. Dr. White's talk serves as a powerful reminder of the impact we can have when we cultivate grit within ourselves and those we influence. I encourage you to watch the TEDx talk for a deeper understanding of how grit can drive success in our classrooms, workplaces, and lives.
I am beyond grateful and honored to have the opportunity to speak at UF's Alumni Gainesville reception and share the powerful message of grit with the new graduates from the University of Florida. As leaders, we have a unique platform and responsibility to inspire and empower the next generation as they embark on their journey beyond the university walls. Grit is more than just a buzzword; it is the unwavering determination and resilience that propel individuals toward their goals, even in the face of adversity. It's about facing challenges head-on, embracing failures as opportunities for growth, and never giving up on our dreams. Today, as we gather to celebrate the achievements of these remarkable graduates, let us remind them of the power they hold within themselves. Let us encourage them to cultivate grit in all aspects of their lives, knowing that with perseverance and determination, they can overcome any obstacle and achieve their wildest dreams. As leaders, let us lead by example, showing gratitude for the opportunities we've been given and inspiring others to do the same. Let us use our voices to uplift and encourage those around us, knowing that together, we can create a brighter and more resilient future for all. Congratulations to the graduates of the University of Florida! May your journey be filled with grit, determination, and endless possibilities.
I am beyond grateful and honored to have the opportunity to speak at UF's Young Alumni reception and share the powerful message of grit with the new graduates from the University of Florida. As leaders, we have a unique platform and responsibility to inspire and empower the next generation as they embark on their journey beyond the university walls. Grit is more than just a buzzword; it is the unwavering determination and resilience that propel individuals toward their goals, even in the face of adversity. It's about facing challenges head-on, embracing failures as opportunities for growth, and never giving up on our dreams. Today, as we gather to celebrate the achievements of these remarkable graduates, let us remind them of the power they hold within themselves. Let us encourage them to cultivate grit in all aspects of their lives, knowing that with perseverance and determination, they can overcome any obstacle and achieve their wildest dreams. As leaders, let us lead by example, showing gratitude for the opportunities we've been given and inspiring others to do the same. Let us use our voices to uplift and encourage those around us, knowing that together, we can create a brighter and more resilient future for all. Congratulations to the graduates of the University of Florida! May your journey be filled with grit, determination, and endless possibilities.
Join us on the Grit and Equity Talks Podcast with Dr. India White, where we will discuss spaced vs. mass practice for teachers! Visit www.india-white.com for more information #drindiawhite #grit #equity
🥳As the opening keynote at the WMC Annual conference, I had the opportunity to discuss equitable math practices with teachers. I am grateful to have gifted 30 copies of the Equity Counts book collaboration after my session! 🤩Thanks to Savvas Learning Company for making this happen🥰. The best is yet to come for Wisconsin teachers and students! #EquitableMath #Education #EquityCounts #savvas #drindiawhite #tedx #equity #WisconsinTeachers #StudentSuccess #wismath24 #nctm #ncsm… See more — at On Green Lake in Wisconsin.
Hanging out wit the tribe! I had the honor of being the opening keynote speaker at @WisMathCouncil 🤩 We applied the concept of grit in their classroom! Thanks to @SavvasLearning!! #drindiawhite #math #grit #student #teachers @wismathcouncil #wismath24 #SAVVAS #nctm #ncsm #bwxme
This morning, I had the honor of being the opening keynote speaker at WMC's Annual Math Conference. 🤩The conference was a great success, with attendees discussing the importance of grit in both teachers and students. I’m excited to see Wisconsin teachers apply the concept of grit in their classrooms and help their students develop this crucial! Thanks to Savvas Learning Company for the support and encouragement!! #drindiawhite #math #grit #student #teachers @wismathcouncil #wismath24 #SAVVAS #nctm #ncsm #bwxme
‼️Attention all Wisconsin teachers! Are you ready to enhance your teaching skills and help your students develop their grit😃? If so, don't miss out on the opportunity to purchase my Grit Workbook at a discounted price! 🤗I have 50 copies available at WMC, so come and grab your copy this week🤩! #wismath2024 #nctm #ncsm #drindiawhite #grit #education #students #teachers #wismath2024 #nctm #ncsm #drindiawhite #grit #education #students #teachers