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Motivating the At-Risk Learner through G.R.I.T.!
India White • May 26, 2023
Motivating the At-Risk Learner through G.R.I.T.!
Motivating the At-Risk Learner through G.R.I.T.!
As a teacher, you may encounter students who are at risk of falling behind in math. These students may lack motivation and struggle to keep up with the curriculum. However, with the right approach, you can help these students develop grit and succeed in math. As we approach this task, it is beneficial to take the acronym for G.R.I.T., Great Resilience in Time, with you as a reminder for you and your learners! Here are five tips for motivating at-risk students through grit in the math classroom.
1. Teach the Growth Mindset
According to Carol Dweck, a leading researcher in motivation and achievement, students who have a growth mindset
are more likely to persevere through challenges and develop grit. Further, in their research article titled, “The Origins of Children's Growth and Fixed Mindsets: New Research and a New Proposal”, Haimovitz and Dweck (2017) discovered that “Students with an incremental theory believe that abilities are malleable and can be increased by effort. These students are more inclined to perceive achievement situations as opportunities to grow and expand one's own competencies”. Students need the opportunity to grow in grit through an increase of effort on various tasks, and in their metacognitive process during mathematical discourse.
Dweck has spoken about how a growth mindset is the belief that intelligence and abilities can be developed through hard work and dedication. As a teacher, you can help your students develop a growth mindset by praising their effort and persistence, rather than their innate abilities. Encourage your students to embrace challenges and view mistakes as opportunities for growth.
2. Set Realistic Goals
Setting realistic goals can help students develop grit by giving them a clear target to work towards. However, it's important to make sure that the goals are achievable and not too overwhelming. Dr. Angela Duckworth, a researcher on grit,
suggests that students should set "stretch goals" that are challenging but still within reach. Encourage your students to set specific, measurable goals for their math performance and track their progress towards those goals.
3. Provide Feedback and Support
Feedback and support are essential for helping at-risk students develop grit. Provide your students with regular feedback on their progress and offer support when they encounter challenges. Encourage your students to seek help when they need it and provide resources such as tutoring or extra practice materials. When doing this, at-risk students will be convinced that not all hope is lost. Providing feedback is imperative to provide students with a supportive environment
that fosters growth and development.
4. Emphasize Effort and Persistence
Emphasizing effort and persistence can help students develop grit by reinforcing the idea that success comes from hard work and dedication. Encourage your students to put in the effort and persist through challenges, even when they feel discouraged. Dr. Duckworth suggests that teachers can help students develop grit by modeling grit themselves and emphasizing the importance of effort and persistence in achieving success.
5. Celebrate Successes
Celebrating successes can help students develop grit by reinforcing the idea that hard work and dedication pay off. When your students achieve their goals or make progress towards them, celebrate their successes and acknowledge their efforts.
Encourage your students to reflect on their successes and use them as motivation to continue working towards their goals. UMass Global mention in their findings that celebrating successes for at-risk learners can be filtered through 3 categories: 1) establishing relationships, 2) incorporating a democratic classroom model, and 3) Consider the tenets of the enabling component model. When these strategies are implemented with fidelity, students will begin to unmask and take a risk during vulerable stages of learning, and will be convinced that their efforts and progress are relevant for their lives, and the success to come.
Conclusion
Students who are on the verge of not finishing school due to various hardships need a fair chance at the opportunity of academic success. Implementing various strategies and supports for these learners can change their trajectory of hopelessness into one that is surrounded by college and career readiness. As educators and leaders teach growth mindset to students, help students set realistic goals, provide timely feedback and support, emphasize effort and persistence, and celebrate the successes of these students, their chances of persisting through setbacks and succeeding as an academic scholar are inevitable. Hence, give your at-risk students a shot today. Help them thrive and make their academic success a reality as you motivate them through G.R.I.T.!
Get your copy of the G.R.I.T. Workbook for Students today!
‼️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