My latest Edutopia article explores the four words I can’t stand to hear from my students (with an analysis of the lies we tell in schools):

The discussion around “I can’t do this” can be broken down into three general levels:

• They genuinely don’t understand the material.
• They’ve had a long day and just don’t have the energy to work any more.
• They have a situation at home that currently distracts them.

There are levels to “I can’t do this” that don’t get discussed, either. The current discussion around lack of effort focuses on “grit,” the cure for lack of effort — and with good reason. Paul Tough’s book How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and The Hidden Power of Character gives you a sense that he believes, with the right level of effort and conditions that help translate effort into success, any child can overcome his or her disposition.

Read more here. Share and comment if it moves you. Thanks!

Mr. Vilson

*** photo c/o ***