Perseverance
What is perseverance? Perseverance, grit, growth mindset and so much more have been thrown around in the world of education as a solution to helping and reaching students. But what IS perseverance? Great question you ask my friend. According to Google...
per·se·ver·ance
/ˌpərsəˈvirəns/
noun
noun: perseverance
Take a moment to think on that. What does this mean to you or your students?
The part that particularly strikes me is the DELAY in success, which immediately leads me to think of and recall the Power of Yet that I previously talked about. So to me, perseverance is continuing to work until you are successful, no matter how long that may take. This is obviously something that is important in academics, but a skill that has no bounds. Perseverance is a concept often spoken of in sports, business, and more. Think about how this skill, or mindset, if taught and learned by students can equip each and every one of them for success in their lives and give them an additional tool to accomplish their goals.
A great resource to help you share and reinforce the idea of perseverance in your class comes from ClassDojo. Previously I referenced the Growth Mindset Videos from Class Dojo that you can find HERE. But they also have a series of perseverance videos that you can find HERE (and can also find on YouTube) that are accompanied by great discussion questions:
per·se·ver·ance
/ˌpərsəˈvirəns/
noun
noun: perseverance
- steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.
Take a moment to think on that. What does this mean to you or your students?
The part that particularly strikes me is the DELAY in success, which immediately leads me to think of and recall the Power of Yet that I previously talked about. So to me, perseverance is continuing to work until you are successful, no matter how long that may take. This is obviously something that is important in academics, but a skill that has no bounds. Perseverance is a concept often spoken of in sports, business, and more. Think about how this skill, or mindset, if taught and learned by students can equip each and every one of them for success in their lives and give them an additional tool to accomplish their goals.
A great resource to help you share and reinforce the idea of perseverance in your class comes from ClassDojo. Previously I referenced the Growth Mindset Videos from Class Dojo that you can find HERE. But they also have a series of perseverance videos that you can find HERE (and can also find on YouTube) that are accompanied by great discussion questions:
- Perseverance #1 - Katie Discovers the Dip
- Perseverance #2 - Climbing Out of the Dip
- Perseverance #3 - The Big Show
- Discovering the Dip Activity
Please keep reading for some words of caution below....
I would also like to take a moment to caution you about perseverance. I have read several examples, lessons, blogs, and much more on teachers who replace the feedback of "Good job" with "Just keep trying." as feedback to help students have a growth mindset and persevere. However, Jo Boaler has talked in great depth about how just using those words is not enough. Yes, having perseverance and the willingness to keep working despite obstacles and challenges is important, but it must be accompanied with specific feedback and this feedback should include (Mathematical Mindsets, Boaler 2016):
And from Carol Dweck in an interview with the Atlantic....
“It’s not just effort, but strategy,” says Dweck. “Students need to know that if they’re stuck, they don’t need just effort. You don’t want them redoubling their efforts with the same ineffective strategies. You want them to know when to ask for help and when to use resources that are available. All of this is part of the process that needs to be taught and tied to learning.” When students fail, teachers and parents should say things like, “Okay, what is this teaching us? Where should we go next?”
- Clear communication to students on what they have learned.
- Help students become aware of where they are and where they need to reach.
- Give students information on ways to close the gap between where they are and need to be.
And from Carol Dweck in an interview with the Atlantic....
“It’s not just effort, but strategy,” says Dweck. “Students need to know that if they’re stuck, they don’t need just effort. You don’t want them redoubling their efforts with the same ineffective strategies. You want them to know when to ask for help and when to use resources that are available. All of this is part of the process that needs to be taught and tied to learning.” When students fail, teachers and parents should say things like, “Okay, what is this teaching us? Where should we go next?”