Effective Effort - Making Hard Work Count!

Lots of Hard Work!

Students have been working very hard in fourth grade!  There has been a lot to work hard on too.  In math, students are learning how to multiply multi-digit numbers and are just starting to learn division.  In addition, they are learning to apply all of this knowledge in word problems.  In reading, students are learning about how characters change in stories and how to write about these changes and include evidence from the text.  In writing, students are learning how to write fictional narratives with action, thought, dialogue, and feeling.  Today they had to begin a new fictional narrative from scratch, showing off all they had learned about writing fictional narratives so far.  In science, we are learning about how crystals form and how to tell the difference between different types of crystals. 

Needless to say, we are learning a lot and working very hard while doing so!  Sometimes students work hard but still find themselves lacking the success they are looking for.  This is where Effective Effort comes in.  Effective Effort is understanding all that goes into hard work.  Sometimes we can work really hard but we are working in the wrong manner.  There are six main elements of Effective Effort that are posted in the photo below.  Research shows that if we specifically teach students these six elements, their achievement will increase.

Today we began learning about these six elements.  Students brainstormed what they thought each of these meant and created posters describing them.  I spent the day pointing out the different elements as they occurred in our classroom and when giving directions, described what the effective effort would look like during the assignment.  As we move forward, students will be doing self-assessments of their effort to increase their self-awareness in this area.  I will also continue to verbalize these elements every opportunity I get.

How Can You Help?

You can help by using the same language at home when your child is doing something that requires a lot of effort.  Whether it be a school assignment, a home project, chores, or athletics anytime you can talk it up will help us in the classroom.  When students hear the same message in more than one place, it makes an enormous difference!

Upcoming Dates
This Friday - Math Vocabulary Quiz (all words previously tested and new ones assigned)
11/26 - 1/2 Day Thanksgiving Break
11/27 - Happy Thanksgiving!
12/5 - Holiday Shoppe 3:30 - 8:00
12/6 - Holiday Shoppe 9:00 - 1:00