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5 Tips for Helping Students Stay Motivated through G.R.I.T. in the Math Classroom
India White • Sep 06, 2023
5 Tips for Helping Students Stay Motivated through G.R.I.T.!
5 Tips for Helping Students Remain Motivated Through Grit in the Math Classroom
Motivating students to persevere and remain engaged in the math classroom can be a challenging task for teachers. With added pressures from the pandemic slide, social medial influencers, and extracurricular activities, math can seem like the last area of interest in students across the nation. However, by fostering a growth mindset and encouraging grit, educators can empower their students to overcome obstacles and achieve success. Allow me to explore with you five effective tips that can help teachers inspire and support their students in developing grit in the math classroom.
Tip 1. Set Clear Goals and Expectations
Establishing clear goals and expectations is crucial for motivating students. Clearly communicate the learning objectives and outcomes for each math lesson, ensuring that students understand what is expected of them. Further, teacher should make sure that each goal established is realistic and can be met in a reasonable amount of time. Further, whenever goals are achieved, students should have a clear understanding behind how their teacher measured their proficiency, i.e. rubric, grading system,
in a way that allows them to grasp fairness and not subjectivity that could be detrimental to their academic success. Ed Week discussed how “parents, teachers, and school administrators concerned about providing equitable opportunities for every child are frequently stunned to learn that many common grading practices are outdated, inaccurate, and harmful to student success.”
Hence, by setting achievable goals, and using fair grading practices and policies, students can experience a sense of accomplishment and increase their trust in their teacher’s belief in them, which will boost their motivation to tackle more challenging math problems.
Tip 2. Emphasize the Significance of Effort
Sometimes, students need guidance on cultivating grit and building up intellectual effort during productive struggle. They need their teachers to teach students that effort is key to success in math.
Encourage them to embrace challenges and view mistakes as opportunities for growth. By highlighting the value of hard work and perseverance, students will develop a growth mindset, understanding that their abilities can be improved through dedication and practice. Help students to get “Gritty” with it, and to thrive when they are ready to give up! Remind students of the acronym for G.R.I.T., Great Resilience in Time, and how they have what it takes to be successful in being a proficient math student. As you do this over time, you will notice that your students will grow in their math identity, and will trust you more during vulnerable moments.
Tip 3. Provide Opportunities for Collaboration
Giving students the opportunity to learn collaboratively with their peers can be a powerful tool for motivating students in the math classroom. Teachers aiming to support students during metacognitive flow and productive struggle
should encourage students to work together on problem-solving activities, allowing them to share ideas, discuss strategies, and learn from one another. As students allow students to work with peers, this will strengthen their conceptual understanding while learning math. Further, it will enhance the learning environment for all students, and will turn math class into a fun experience. Collaboration fosters a supportive environment where students feel comfortable taking risks and persisting through difficult math problems. In addition, it will move mathematical discussion from being solely teacher led to student led, empowering student voice and leadership in the math classroom.
Tip 4. Offer Differentiated Instruction
Teachers must be willing to recognize that students have diverse learning needs and abilities. Further, students from various backgrounds will bring different lived experiences into the classroom, creating a need for differentiation. When teachers differentiate instruction, they provide a variety of math tasks and activities that cater to different skill levels. This approach ensures that all students are appropriately challenged, preventing boredom or frustration. By tailoring instruction to individual needs, students will feel supported and motivated to continue their math journey. As students are empowered during differentiated instruction, it will open the door for higher order thinking and metacognition to flow in the learning environment. This will lead to learners having a stimulated interest in considering real-world situations when trying to grasp concepts in the math classroom. Further, it will increase student engagement, and academic learners of students in the math classroom. Through differentiation, academic achievement and increased self-efficacy are inevitable for all students.
Tip 5. Celebrate Progress and Achievements
As teachers learn to celebrate students, it boosts the self-esteem and willingness to try for all students in the math classroom. Teachers should take time to be intentional when expressing accomplishments of their students and celebrate students' progress and achievements in math. Whether it’s during mathematical discourse, a group activity or project, educators should regularly provide positive feedback, recognizing their students’ efforts and growth. Further, teachers should choose to celebrate small victories,
such as mastering a new concept or solving a challenging problem. When celebrating accomplishments, teachers should aim to provide specific feedback, use appropriate names of learners and explain to the class why they are choosing to celebrate each student individually or for group efforts. By highlighting their accomplishments, students will feel valued and motivated to continue working hard in the math classroom.
Conclusion
When teachers motivate their students, it helps them to remain engaged and persevere in the math classroom is essential for their long-term success. By implementing these five tips of setting clear goals and expectations, emphasizing significance, providing opportunities for collaboration, offering differentiated instruction, and celebrating progress and achievements effort, teachers can foster a growth mindset and encourage grit among their students. By nurturing grit, teachers can empower their students to overcome challenges, develop a love for math, and achieve their full potential. Choose to help your students stay motivated through grit in your math classroom!!
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‼️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