In October, our Scholar Star Skill focused on Academic Perseverance, the ability to keep trying, even when something feels challenging. Our 2nd and 3rd graders explored this idea through a lesson called The Power of Yet, helping them understand how the thoughts we choose can affect how we learn and grow.

What Is the Power of “Yet”?

We began by asking students:
“What is something you can do now that you couldn’t do when you were younger?”

Students shared great examples, riding a bike, tying shoes, reading big words, all things they learned over time through practice. This helped them recognize that skills grow when we keep trying.

Then we discussed how it feels when something is hard or when we struggle to learn something new.
This led into understanding the difference between fixed mindset and growth mindset.

Fixed Mindset vs. Growth Mindset

Students learned:

Fixed Mindset

• “I can’t do this.”

• “I’m just not good at math.”

• “This is too hard.”

A fixed mindset makes us want to give up.

Growth Mindset

• “I can’t do this yet.”

• “I can learn with practice.”

• “Mistakes help my brain grow.”

A growth mindset helps us see challenges as opportunities.

We emphasized an important message:
Just because we can’t do something now doesn’t mean we’ll never be able to do it.

Developing a Growth Mindset

Students discussed:
“What should you do if you come across a challenge?”

Together we practiced four strategies for building perseverance:

1. Think positive thoughts

2. Tell yourself: ‘I can do hard things.’

3. Ask for help when you need it

4. Keep trying until you reach your goal
   
   

These are powerful tools they can use both in and out of school.

When Things Are Hard… What Can We Say?

Students practiced replacing fixed mindset thoughts with growth mindset ones:

• Instead of “This is too hard,” say “This will take time.”

• Instead of “I’ll never get this,” say “I’m still learning.”

• Instead of “I made a mistake,” say “Mistakes help me grow.”

Adding the word YET turns discouragement into determination.

What We Learned

Students are working on:

• Building confidence when facing challenges

• Understanding that learning takes time

• Using positive self-talk

• Practicing effort, perseverance, and resilience

These skills support academic success and help students approach challenges with courage and optimism.

Try This at Home

Ask your child:
“What is something you can’t do yet, but you’re working on?”
or
“What can you say to yourself when something gets hard?”

Using the word yet at home reinforces the growth mindset message.