Summary: This is a quick lesson. Students start by reflecting on their own goal setting and perseverance. The lesson then moves to definitions of grit and an analysis of the song The Climb. Then students watch videos and look at slides on the importance of grit for success. Then the focus shifts on how to build grit and what it means, with several videos, including a music video and a recreation of the marshmallow experiment. It ends with an extension activity where students can write letters on their own perseverance to their past selves, create a poster, or make a timeline of instances where they have shown grit.

Teaching notes: The lesson is pretty quick! The students tend to like the marshmallow experiment video and it can lead to a fun discussion.

Approximate length: 40-60 minutes

About the curriculum: School success relies on key skills that students are rarely taught. The goal of this curriculum is to level the playing field and to directly teach the executive functioning, self-regulation, and life skills that all students need to succeed in school. Through 20 lessons across four units, this year long curriculum will help students build a foundation for success in school and life– and leave them with an individualized success workbook at the end of the program.