1. Grit and growth mindset
Corning Union High School Physical Education

2. The Secret to Victory

3. What is Grit? With a partner, discuss what you think GRIT is….
University of Pennsylvania psychologist, Angela Duckworth, defines grit as a person’s “perseverance and passion for long-term goals.”
Grit is a distinct combination of passion, resilience, determination, and focus that allows a person to maintain the discipline and optimism to persevere in their goals even in the face of discomfort, rejection, and a lack of visible progress for years, or even decades.
Duckworth lists grit as a better indicator of future earnings and happiness than either IQ or talent.

4. What does Grit look like in physical education?
Making long term goals for the school year in Physical Education.
For example: “At Maywood I ran a 12:30 mile. By the end of this year, I would like to get down to 11:00 minutes.” OR “I have never really tried very hard in my P.E. classes, so this year, my goal is to give 100% this year.”
Being mentally tough by focusing your whole mind and body on what it is you are doing.
Giving your best effort EVERY SINGLE DAY during work outs, physical fitness tests, marine work outs, and units, even if it is tough.
Know that improving your health and fitness can sometimes create a bit of discomfort (muscles may ache a bit, you may get short of breath, you may get tired). Work through these challenges and know that you are getting stronger.

6. What is Growth Mindset?

7. What is Growth mindset continued
According to Dweck:
In a growth mindset students understand that their talents and abilities can be developed through effort, good teaching and persistence. They don’t necessarily think everyone’s the same or anyone can be Einstein, but they believe everyone can get smarter if they work at it (Morehead 2012).
A growth mindset amongst students is likely to encourage them to develop feelings of empowerment - students begin to see how they might take action to positively influence their community and their own learning. 

8. What does Growth Mindset look like in Physical education?
“During this physical fitness testing period, I completed 12 curl ups. I think that I can do 20 next time if I keep working hard during work outs.”
“I wasn’t very strong at basketball at Richfield, but this year, I am going to try to improve my skills.”
“My teacher says that we are going to learn partner swing dance this year. I have never danced before, but I am looking forward to learning something new.”
“What are spikeball and kanjam? I am excited to learn these new activities and to make new neurological connections in my brain.”
“I got a C last year in P.E. This year, I am going to make up all of my absences and try my best so that I can get an A in P.E.”

9. What is fixed mindset?
In a fixed mindset students believe their basic abilities, their intelligence, their talents, are just fixed traits. They have a certain amount and that’s that, and then their goal becomes to look smart all the time and never look dumb(Morehead 2012).
With a fixed mindset, there are feelings of powerlessness and learned helplessness. This can lead to the development of a self-defeating identity, accompanied by toxic personal statements like ‘I can’t do this’ or ‘I’m not clever enough.’

10. What does fixed mindset look like in Physical education?
“I have never been good at running, so I am just not going to try.”
“I’m not an athlete, so why should I try to improve my fitness?”
“I suck at sports, and I always will.”
“I am not a social person, so why should I try to meet people in P.E.?”
“I didn’t do very well on physical fitness testing- I am just not good at this stuff.”
“Why try? I won’t get any better.”
And lots, and lots, and LOTS of excuses!

11. Growth Mindset versus fixed mindset

13. What we expect from you Give your best effort each day.
If you don’t want to do it, fake it!
Have enthusiasm!
Encourage others.
Have a growth mindset in P.E. and elsewhere! If you don’t have it, practice it!
Show GRIT by working your way through difficulty.
Have fun and have a great school year!

14. Angela Duckworth