As a student, it is common to feel defeated when it comes to math. The subject can be challenging, and it is easy to feel like you are not good enough. Further, some students come from families where math is not a favorable subject, and parents have a fear of math or “math phobia”. However, having a defeated mindset can hinder your progress and prevent you from achieving your goals. The good news is that you can eliminate this mindset of “I Can’t Do Math” through implementing a growth mindset through grit in the math classroom.

Grit is the ability to persevere through challenges and setbacks. It is the determination to keep going even when things get tough. In the math classroom, grit is essential for success. Students who understand how to master a growth mindset and remain gritty when the math gets tough can eliminate the opinion they possess of “I can’t do math” in the classroom. Here are some tips on how to develop grit and eliminate a defeated mindset:

Math is not easy, and it is okay to struggle. Instead of feeling defeated, embrace the struggle and see it as an opportunity to learn and grow. Every mistake in the math classroom is a chance to improve and get better. Students sometimes wallow in self-defeat, feeling like they aren’t math doers and can’t comprehend math. However, with the proper mindset, they can develop the resilience needed to plow through each problem and persist with understanding. When students become flustered and say, “I just don’t get it!” or, I can’t do it, this is the moment to lean in and help students replace a defeated mindset with a mindset of hope and grit. Help students reset mentally with new thoughts. Say, “You can do it, just put in a little more effort!” or, “Last time you struggled but pushed through, you’ll do the same with this problem!” Remind students of their ability to overcome and prevail during struggle. Continue to support them through their moments of discouragement and refuse to let them give up.

Setting goals is a great way to stay motivated and focused. Set realistic goals for yourself and work towards achieving them. Celebrate your successes along the way, no matter how small they may be. It is imperative that you check for understanding while students are completing the math, so they don’t feel overwhelmed or become easily defeated. Tell students that they are completing the assignment one problem at a time, and that after a while they will finish with proficiency! Take moments to set a timer and to check on students after they’ve worked on the assignment at various intervals so they will know that you are scaffolding them through the work. Then, give them compliments along the way. Sometimes, you might have to pause them as they work to clarify any misconceptions, check the pacing of how they are doing, or even provide tips and reminders so they can continue along their journey of productive struggle and math achievement. 

Practice is key to mastering math. The more your students practice, the more confident they will become. Remind your students not to be afraid to ask for help if they need it. You as their teacher, their personal tutor, or other classmates can be great resources. Some students will need assistance and support but might be a little shy and not know how to ask for help. Always provide moments in which you walk around and remind students that you are there to assist them. Allow them to feel comfortable asking for support whenever they can. 

A positive attitude can go a long way. Instead of students focusing on what they don’t know, teach them how to focus on what they do know and build from there. Challenge them to believe in themselves and their abilities. Help students eliminate self-doubt and low-self esteem in the math classroom by building their confidence, one problem at

time! Sometimes, you have to utter positive affirmations to your students and come up with various sayings about how they CAN do math and how they are growing as math learners. Studies have shown that being optimistic boosts brain’s memory center and predicts math performance during learning. Hence, you will find that these moments will build student momentum and rigor during productive struggle and will successfully help students conquer moments where they feel stuck.

Remind your students mistakes are a natural part of the learning process in your math classroom. Instead of dwelling on them, learn from them. Help them to analyze their mistakes and figure out what you can do differently next time. Have an open-ended whole class discussion when you can discuss various problems and even model out using student friendly language how you would have worked through the problem. Allow students to build trust with you and their peers during mathematical discourse and exchange during various parts of discussion and practice. Assure them that they are still on the right track in the midst of their mistakes.

In conclusion, developing grit in the math classroom can help your students eliminate a defeated mindset and achieve your goals. Remind students to embrace the struggle, set goals, practice, stay positive, and learn from your mistakes. With these tips, you can help students overcome any challenge and succeed in math. Never stop convincing them that you believe in their ability as independent math thinkers to achieve in your math classroom!