Grit Smart
Life has bumps. Learn to enjoy the ride.
Grade Level
Primary (Grades 1 & 2) and Elementary (Grades 3, 4, & 5)
Grit Smart is designed for children to build their grit using a cognitive platform. Students learn about the three building blocks of grit (Growth Mindset, Goal Directedness, and Interpersonal Effectiveness/EQ) and get to apply their budding skills in personal and group challenges
Check out this sample group challenge:
Teams must move 20 ping pong balls from a bucket on one end of the room to a bucket on the other side of the room within 20 minutes.
Constraints:
– You cannot use your hands
– Your feet cannot touch the ground
– Balls must be moved one at a time
– Nearly all team members are blindfolded. Only one person at a time can serve as “eyes” for their team.
Students learn about the power of positive thinking, to develop action plans, to work well with others, and to accept setbacks as part of the learning process. We are intentionally trying to challenge kids to the point of frustration – and teaching them to find the motivation inside to persevere and never give up.
PROGRAM GOALS & EXPECTATIONS
Students will complete pre- and post-assessments to measure their:
– frustration threshold using the Frustration Index Level (FIL).
– grit-related content knowledge.
– creative problem-solving skills.
Parents will receive weekly newsletters highlighting session content, key vocabulary, and conversation starters and activity ideas.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING.
Hannah came home full of sparkle from this morning’s camp with the other kids. She was talking all about ‘sticky thoughts and strong thoughts’ and thoroughly explained the activity with slime vs. superballs crossing the finish line. What got me was that she immediately explained WHAT THAT MEANT. Not an easy feat with kids still in the concrete level of thinking, but she was all over this and really got the concept. Thank you so much for a tool for both of us to get her through those times when she’s really struggling!!
Amy K.
