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Understanding Perfectionism II

Strategies to help students who are perfectionists

UnderstandingPerfectionism IIStrategies to help students who are perfectionists

December Gifted Morsel of the Month

Previously, you were given information about understanding students who struggle with perfectionism. This month's Gifted Morsel of the Month is designed to provide you with tools to alleviate anxiety in students. (and perhaps, even in yourself.)

Prioritize classroom activities & assignments

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Perfectionist Trait

For perfectionists, everything is equally important. They are unable to distinguish between or prioritize assignments.
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Rating Scales

Provide a rating scale to help them distinguish level of importance for each classroom activity/assignment along with the approximate amount of time that should be spent on those

  • Eventually students will be able to assess the assignments for themselves
  • Alleviates a great deal of anxiety - now they have clear parameters/ expectations
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For example:

  • Homework: Level 3 - Should take about 30 minutes to complete - write 3/30 at the top of their paper or on the board next to the assignment

  • Common Unit Assessment: Level 5 - Should take about 60 minutes to complete - write 5/60

Establish a classroom culture where failure is a perfectly acceptable option

  • Be vulnerable - admit your own failure

  • Remind the students that failure is just another opportunity to try a new idea

  • Keep in mind that "productive struggle" should be used in assignments that are not graded

  • “Favorite Mistakes Board”

    • Students share work along with post-its explaining how they fixed their mistake

Listen, Ask Questions, and Help Frame Predictions

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Perfectionistic Trait

Perfectionists often will be upset with a 98 instead of a 100.

  • “I can see you are upset with your 98. What would a 100 have told you that a 98 does not?”

  • Puts ownership of feeling back on the student and forces them to re-evaluate their mindset

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Other questions to ask:

  • Were you surprised by this?

  • What is bothering you the most about this?

  • On a scale of 1-10, how upset are you?

  • Do you think you will be still be this upset tomorrow?

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Frame Predictions

  • What is the BEST thing that can happen?

  • What is the WORST thing that could happen?

  • What is MOST LIKELY to happen?

When they are so overwhelmed or frustrated they are beyond the point of reason

Elementary & Middle School Calming Tools

  • write in my journal

  • read a book of my choice for 20 minutes

  • make a list of 20 things I do WELL

  • breathe deeply 10 times

  • draw a picture or color

  • blow bubbles

  • play with putty for 10 minutes

  • listen to music with headphones

  • get a calming jar

  • use Calm app on phone or chromebook

High School Calming Tools

  • write in my journal

  • read a book of my choice for 20 minutes

  • breathe deeply 10 times

  • Phone time

    • Scroll through phone

    • Relaxing Youtube videos

    • Play a game

    • listen to music with headphones

    • use Calm app

  • 10 minute Power nap during flex

  • make a list of 20 things I do WELL

Mindfulness Videos With Music For Focus, Clarity, Calming Effect
6 Hour Study Music Alpha Waves: Relaxing Studying Music, Brain Power, Focus Concentration Music ☯161

Source

Richardson, Tricia. “Teaching Strategies to Help Perfectionist Students.” TeachHUB, K-12 Teachers Alliance, 19 Nov. 2019, https://www.teachhub.com/teaching-strategies-help-perfectionist-students.

Coming in January

Differentiated Instruction with a focus on gifted needs