Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance

Analyze the essential elements of Grit. Why are intelligence and skill alone insufficient in measuring achievement? Consider these points as you formulate a response.

• Why are passion, purpose, and calling essential to developing grit?
• How might someone move from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset?
• What is the role of practice and perseverance in success?
• Why is goal setting an important aspect of growth?

Teaching Suggestion: You may want to open this question with a brainstorming question or two on historical figures or cultural figures whose impact on society might be attributed to grit. Because the questions cover a variety of topics from the book, encouraging students to think about each part of the prompt individually, take notes, and reference the text may help them keep their ideas and responses organized.

Differentiation Suggestion: Consider having students who might benefit from a more focused activity specialize on a certain topic from the novel such as intelligence versus skill; passion, purpose, and calling; fixed versus growth mindset; practice and perseverance; or goal setting. Students may wish to discuss their specialized topic in small groups and record group responses before sharing group findings with peers. Students who may benefit from peer support can work in jigsaw-style groups in which each group focuses on one topic to create and/or share a presentation with the class.