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Help Students Persevere through Difficult Math through GRIT!
India White • June 18, 2023
Help Students Persevere through Difficult Math through GRIT!
Mathematics is a subject that requires a lot of perseverance and grit. Within conceptual context of math alone, it can be a language that causes much complexity for students. It is not uncommon for students to struggle with math problems, especially when they encounter complex real-world situations and equations. However, research has shown that students who possess grit and have a “gritty mindset” are more likely to make sense of math problems and persevere through difficult challenges.
Grit is defined as the combination of passion and perseverance towards long-term goals (Duckworth, Peterson, Matthews, & Kelly, 2007). In the context of mathematics, grit refers to the ability to persist through challenging problems and to maintain a positive attitude towards learning. Students who possess grit are more likely to view math as a challenge to be conquered rather than an obstacle to be avoided. When presenting students with challenging math, it is imperative to make sure that you as an educator have set them up for success in regard to mathematical discourse, higher order thinking and being willing to see themselves as proficient mathematicians who can take a risk in the math classroom.
One study conducted by Duckworth and colleagues (2011) found that grit was a significant predictor of academic achievement, even after controlling for other factors such as IQ and socio-economic status.
This suggests that students who possess grit are more likely to succeed in math and other academic subjects. As students are encouraged to possess a mindset to persist regardless of how tough the math seems, they will continue to fulfill each standard for mathematical practice in such a way that it will be a common way of practice as mathematicians. Students who learn to develop their math “muscles” while attending to precision
will embrace the challenge and will be thankful for each amount of struggle that will help them build upon their learning and mathematical reasoning. Further, it will give them a goal to work towards in the classroom.
In another study conducted by Dweck, and colleagues (2011) , it was revealed that students who possess a growth mindset are more likely to persevere through difficult math problems. A growth mindset is the belief that intelligence and abilities can be developed through hard work and dedication. Students with a growth mindset are more likely to view challenges as opportunities for growth and learning. They will begin to compete within themselves to evolve into greater thinkers and will develop a positive mindset that they have something to prove.
So, how can teachers and parents help students develop GRIT Levels in their math classroom?
One strategy is to provide students with challenging math problems that require perseverance and critical thinking. Once students have understood through quality instructional delivery the expectations and the concept of the math at hand, they will aim to conceptually understand each main idea behind the lesson while choosing to persist through mental fatigue, anxiety, and moments of productive struggle.
Another strategy involves teachers encouraging math students to view mistakes made during the learning and discovery process as opportunities for learning and growth,
rather than as failures.
Providing teachers with feedback along the way can help scaffold students through moments of indecisiveness and can bring great clarity that will give them the confidence they need to continue moving forward. Further, allowing students through a metacognitive flow of higher order thinking, questioning and risk-taking during group work, and or independent practice will help strengthen mathematical reasoning and student voice among all learners. Hence, by providing students with a growth mindset and a positive attitude towards learning, teachers and parents can help students develop the grit necessary to succeed in math and other academic subjects.
Conclusion
In conclusion, grit is an important factor in helping students make sense of math problems and persevere through difficult challenges. By developing a growth mindset and a positive attitude towards learning, students can develop the grit necessary to succeed in math and other academic subjects. Take the time to provide students with challenging math so they can build upon their learning. Also, allow them to view mistakes made along their journey as moments of discovery as they are evolving into independent math thinkers who are gritty with confident student voices. As you do this, students will thrive through perseverance in the math classroom.
References:
Duckworth, A. L., Peterson, C., Matthews, M. D., & Kelly, D. R. (2007). Grit: Perseverance and passion for long-term goals. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 92(6), 1087–1101.
Duckworth, A. L., Quinn, P. D., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2011). Positive predictors of teacher effectiveness. Journal of Positive Psychology, 6(5), 540–547.
Dweck, C. S., Walton, G. M., & Cohen, G. L. (2011). Academic tenacity: Mindsets and skills that promote long-term learning. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
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Check out my Feb. 2025 Newsletter!
Thankful for Partnership and Recognition: A Shoutout to Dr. Matthew Joseph and X-Factor EDU Network I am incredibly thankful to partner with Dr. Matthew Joseph and the amazing leadership of the X-Factor EDU Network! It is truly an honor to collaborate with such a visionary leader who is dedicated to amplifying voices in education and creating spaces for impactful conversations. This month, I was deeply grateful to be mentioned in Dr. Joseph’s newsletter during Black History Month. His recognition means so much, not just for me, but for the work we are all doing to inspire and empower educators and students alike. You can check out the newsletter here: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/drmxj_stongertogether-activity-7291502796753809408-0zX3?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAmqD2wBkz8Qc7EA0bvwxWyMJH2HykCUA-Y But beyond the shoutout, I’m even more excited about the opportunities ahead—including the chance to have a podcast on Dr. Joseph’s platform! Partnering with X-Factor EDU Network opens doors to share insights, engage in meaningful discussions, and continue championing grit, resilience, and equity in education. Thank you, Dr. Matthew Joseph, for your support, encouragement, and belief in this mission. Looking forward to what’s to come! 🚀 #StrongerTogether #GRIT #XFactorEDU #BlackHistoryMonth #EducationalLeadership #Thankful
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✨ Today’s Grit training at Stockton Unified was absolutely amazing! We had a fantastic time connecting with friends and meeting some incredible rockstars in California. 🌟 I can’t wait to see how gritty Stockton becomes! Huge thanks to Andrew and the tribe for the opportunity to train your amazing leaders. Let’s all take grit with us as we move forward! 💪 #Grit #Leadership #StocktonUnified #drindiawhite #tedx #nctm #ncsm #nabse
🎊Super excited about this opportunity! Looking forward to connecting with these amazing leaders! 🥰🥳🎉 Please register below and let’s connect so we can bridge the achievement gap together! hashtag#drindiawhite hashtag#ncsm hashtag#grit hashtag#math hashtag#teachers