Keys to Accomplishment Websites |
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One of the ongoing concerns we have as parents is supporting academic achievement. Sometimes we just want to keep our kids on track, but other times we are trying to get them on the right path. The research and commentary about supporting achievement is vast and often complex.
Because of this, Gifted Programs in the Department of Teaching and Learning of Virginia Beach City Public Schools is creating and maintaining websites designed to support student accomplishment. We have attempted to find the best research and identify best practice so we can present it to you in a useable format.
Three websites are now available, one focusing on motivation, one focusing on mindset and a third website is focused on self-regulation. To start your exploration, decide which website represents the concern most important to you.
Because of this, Gifted Programs in the Department of Teaching and Learning of Virginia Beach City Public Schools is creating and maintaining websites designed to support student accomplishment. We have attempted to find the best research and identify best practice so we can present it to you in a useable format.
Three websites are now available, one focusing on motivation, one focusing on mindset and a third website is focused on self-regulation. To start your exploration, decide which website represents the concern most important to you.
OK--So where do I start?
First, decide which descriptors below best fit your child
My child is often concerned about being smart or capable
enough to accomplish a task; worries about being perceived as smart; believes people
are either born smart and capable or are not; thinks that success should come
without much effort and that success is primarily based on intelligence or
talent. If you hear your child's struggles in these descriptors you may want to start with the Mindset for Accomplishment website.
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My child shows little interest in school; shows motivation
only for some subjects but not others; questions why school is necessary; only
works if the teacher is deemed to be friendly and supportive; or is consumed by
outside activities such as sports, video games, social networking, or
skateboarding. If any of these
descriptors apply to your child you may want to start with the Motivation for
Accomplishment website.
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My child wants to do well but does not create realistic
plans for making changes; has trouble following through on plans; promises to
change but does not maintain effort over time; seems really remorseful when not
successful; claims not to understand why plans fail; or claims not to know how
to change. If this sounds like your child you may want to start with the Self-regulation for Accomplishment website.
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THE MINDSET WEBSITEThe way we think about success and failure effects our willingness to take on new challenges. Sometimes, the praise teachers and parents give actually works against a child's desire to strive. This site gives you the opportunity to explore how our responses to our kids' success and failure effects their resilience and tenacity. The site provides links to tools designed to help identify and change mindsets. In addition, there is a Mindset Assessment and Planning Tool designed to help you organize your efforts to support a growth mindset for your child.
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THE MOTIVATION WEBSITEMotivation is the driving force to education. Some students seem to be born with enthusiasm for any task put before them, others are only motivated for self-selected tasks, and still others demonstrate little interest in any type of academic achievement. This site gives you the opportunity to explore research and best practice about motivation. The site also provides a Motivation Planning Tool that is designed to guide your conversations about motivation with your child and then create realistic plans.
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THE SELF-REGULATION WEBSITEAlong with motivation and mindset, students need to master basic self-regulation skills in order to succeed. Maintaining focus, persisting on tasks, regulating emotional responses, and managing their own behavior are some of the skills discussed on this website. These skills are rarely acquired solely by an act of will. Commitment to making a change is not enough. The development of self-regulation skills takes learning, planning, practice, persistence, and adaptability. This site is designed to guide you through strategy creation and implementation.
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The Let's Chat blog gives you an avenue for joining the conversation about gifted learners. This blog allows you to join the general discussion about gifted education on the Conversations: The Gifted Learner website. This website is operated and maintained by Gifted Programs in the Office of Teaching and Learning for Virginia Beach City Public Schools.
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