But They Won’t Do It if I Don’t Grade It

Mike SzczepanikBlog, Grading & Assessment, Lesson Planning, Reflect Better, Student Engagement

TL;DR: Change is hard. Assignment completion is a concern for some if there are no grades. Numerous factors affect student motivation. Not all students are motivated by grades. The carrot-and-stick motivational technique worked for the industrial revolution. Previously, I had discussed my reasons for breaking free from grades. While there are many benefits to going gradeless, there are also some … Read More

Why Gradeless? Breaking Free From Grades

Mike SzczepanikBlog, Grading & Assessment, Innovation, Mastery Learning, Reflect Better, Student Engagement

TL;DR: Our grading habits can be inconsistent and have limited value in the learning process. The extrinsic motivation of grades often limits our students’ drive for deeper learning. Going gradeless is not a simple process, but a worthy one to help students reflect, listen to feedback, and grow. In traditional education systems, grades have long been the primary measure of … Read More

When the Growth Mindset Shines Bright

Teach Better TeamBlog, Self-Care, Teach Happier

TL;DR: Unlock the unlimited potential within yourself by modeling a growth mindset for students. Despite any setbacks or challenges, we have a say in where we focus our thoughts and energy. This post shares the story of Michael Jordan and how his growth mindset led him to success. Success never comes without obstacles to overcome. Buried deep within any of … Read More

Practices That Promote a Growth Mindset

Jami Fowler-WhiteBlog, Leadership

TL;DR: We need to identify fixed mindset triggers in order to train our brain to focus on a growth mindset. Embody a growth mindset each day by changing the words you use. There are a number of questions you can use with students to help shift their mindset. Putting Mental Health at the Forefront “Life is like a CAMERA. Just … Read More