One of the areas that naturally comes with Standards Based Grading/Solid Grading Practices is that we uncover learner's strength areas and areas they need to work hard at to master over time. John Hattie refers to this as building the "Visible Learner". "Visible Learners" are learners who appreciate the challenge and grit/ perseverance that it takes to master challenging, new grade level material. Somewhere along the line we squelch our student's natural curiosity and build this idea that teachers are the source of knowledge and grades are the reward; kids need to learn and hear from us that they can be their own best teacher and purveyor of knowledge. When kids struggle, we need to give them guidance on how to master the work, problem solve, and enjoy the hunt and quest for that knowledge. This includes reminding them of their resources, including their peers, when they struggle for this knowledge. We need to teach them and remind them that it's okay to struggle at learning new and challenging material; it is growth over time that we value in the process. Thus, we need to emphasize the importance of practicing, yes homework is part of this practice in the correct dose, to master the new knowledge and tie that practice to some larger learner goal or set of standards. I know often times I was too quick to simply give my students the answer when they struggled. Productive struggle is healthy and kids can track and journal about their progress toward their learning goal(s) and struggles as they grow.
Our best students are great at covering up their weaknesses with "fluff"; extra credit, grade chasing, and point chasing. They are not always as good at being gritty because they have been trained to say "just give me the answer" or "how many points is this worth" or "if this isn't graded, why should I do it?" - the answer to all of these should be "the value in this is not points or a grade it's the opportunity to learn and be challenged to master a new concept or idea; that is the value in education and WHY we are here. The opportunity to be lifelong learners and learn our entire life is a tremendous privilege. I care about your learning and growth".
The article below is an excellent article from a psychological perspective on grit and perseverance and the "growth mindset". We can change the whole conversation about education literally one conversation at a time when we are introducing the learning target daily; instead of emphasizing how many points an item is worth or the grade value, emphasize the application of the knowledge (why is this important to learn?) and the value in the opportunity to learn something new and the challenge that comes along with pursuing this new learning. Create lifelong learners one conversation at a time.
If we don't change the conversation now and continue instilling that love of learning in our students and the love of the challenge and grit it takes when we are learning, when will we start?
