Some people call it GRIT; some call it a growth mindset. No matter what you call it, our students need to learn perseverance. Perseverance is that ability to keep going when things are tough. Even if students don’t achieve or master something right away, they can keep persevering towards their goal.
For many students, perseverance can be challenging. Module 6 in The Encouraging Classroom is all about learning ways to persevere. Here are some great ways how to teach perseverance in the classroom.
Share examples of how perseverance looks at home, school, and the community.
The perseverance anchor chart from The Encouraging Classroom will help your students sort and identify examples of this characteristic in different settings. At school, learners may practice tough math facts or sound out difficult words. Perseverance at is all about doing things that may not come easy right away This includes riding a bike, practicing sports skills, and trying a musical instrument. Last but not least, in the community, perseverance can mean trying out for a team or reaching out as a volunteer. Use this special anchor chart to focus on perseverance in different areas of your students’ lives.
Sort characteristics and non-characteristics of perseverance.
Have your students sort what perseverance is and isn’t on the sorting chart from The Encouraging Classroom. This activity will help your students behaviors that show and do not show perseverance. Understanding it’s OK to make mistakes and taking the time to finish work shows perseverance. On the other hand, quitting teams or only trying new things exhibits a fixed mindset or not showing perseverance.
Download Perserverance SEL Activities HERE
Make a cootie catcher.
Your students will love making a cootie catcher with this activity fromThe Encouraging Classroom! Students will learn to build this manipulative and then use it to help with coping strategies when things get tough. First, students choose an encouraging phrase. Next, students select an inspiring image. Finally, students choose a strategy to help them persevere. All of these symbols are in the cootie catcher. Your students will love using it to help themselves and their peers persevere!
Make home connections.
The home connection sheets will inform parents about the characteristics students are studying through The Encouraging Classroom resources. By encouraging parents to discuss the perseverance activities, they will be able to reinforce the characteristic at home.
Download Perserverance SEL Activities HERE
Read about it.
Making connections to reading and writing within your character curriculum is vital. Share the following reading passages to help your students understand and apply perseverance in their own lives through stories and scenarios.
- I Can Train My Brain To Do It
- I Won't Give Up Until I'm Proud
- I Like to Work Hard & Accept Challenges
- Struggling Makes Me Stronger
Share these special stories with your learners!
Get ready to help your students manage their emotions with the character trait of self-control. Use activities and resources from The Encouraging Classroom to know how to teach perseverance in the classroom.
