The term "grit" has been floating around in the educational realm quite a bit lately. Not only do the article and the TED talk linked below shed some light on its applicability to our work, it's actually also something that can carry over into every aspect of our lives. You'll find that the TED talk is quick and engaging, while the article is certainly more weighty. What is Grit? Watch this: http://www.ted.com/talks/angela_lee_duckworth_the_key_to_success_grit Here's an article too: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/18/magazine/what-if-the-secret-to-success-is-failure.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 Now you can assess your own Grit: 12- Item Grit Scale Directions for taking the Grit Scale: Please respond to the following 12 items. Be honest – there are no right or wrong answers! 1. I have overcome setbacks to conquer an important challenge. Very much like me Mostly like me Somewhat like me Not much like me Not like me at all 2. New ideas and projects sometimes distract me from previous ones.* Very much like me Mostly like me Somewhat like me Not much like me Not like me at all 3. My interests change from year to year.* Very much like me Mostly like me Somewhat like me Not much like me Not like me at all 4. Setbacks don’t discourage me. Very much like me Mostly like me Somewhat like me Not much like me Not like me at all 5. I have been obsessed with a certain idea or project for a short time but later lost interest.* Very much like me Mostly like me Somewhat like me Not much like me Not like me at all 6. I am a hard worker. Very much like me Mostly like me Somewhat like me Not much like me Not like me at all 7. I often set a goal but later choose to pursue a different one.* Very much like me Mostly like me Somewhat like me Not much like me Not like me at all 8. I have difficulty maintaining my focus on projects that take more than a few months to complete.* Very much like me Mostly like me Somewhat like me Not much like me Not like me at all 9. I finish whatever I begin. Very much like me Mostly like me Somewhat like me Not much like me Not like me at all 10. I have achieved a goal that took years of work. Very much like me Mostly like me Somewhat like me Not much like me Not like me at all 11. I become interested in new pursuits every few months.* Very much like me Mostly like me Somewhat like me Not much like me Not like me at all 12. I am diligent. Very much like me Mostly like me Somewhat like me Not much like me Not like me at all Scoring: 1. For questions 1, 4, 6, 9, 10 and 12 assign the following points: 5 = Very much like me 4 = Mostly like me 3 = Somewhat like me 2 = Not much like me 1 = Not like me at all 2. For questions 2, 3, 5, 7, 8 and 11 assign the following points: 1 = Very much like me 2 = Mostly like me 3 = Somewhat like me 4 = Not much like me 5 = Not like me at all Add up all the points and divide by 12. The maximum score on this scale is 5 (extremely gritty), and the lowest scale on this scale is 1 (not at all gritty). 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, 9, 1087-1101. By: Amy Windus, CA BOCES and Pioneer Central School
1 Comment
Kathy Welch
10/10/2014 03:12:25 am
I have incorporated this Grit video, the Grit scale and an article titled "What Students Need to Hear" by C. Mielke to teach these important character traits to my high school students. This is an important message that will carry them beyond high school into an unknown future where they will face adversity. Will they let the hard times get the best of them or will they be able to tackle their challenges and move forward? My students and I have had many meaningful conversations around this concept of Grit. I also wrote a small article for our school newsletter as well because this is an important message for everyone, not just my students.
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