WHAT is the assignment? 

 You will further synthesize and elaborate on our 'grit' and cognitive learning and mindset resources you viewed and read in the last module.   You will further practice paraphrasing the research of others, and citing the research of others.

Pick one of the three prompts.

Choice 1. Redesign Yourself.  Separate research (that you are not reading) indicates teens are more focused on immediacy, while adults can be more focused on the long term.  A focus on immediacy can limit your management of setbacks or working towards goals.  Reflect on specific evidence from the readings that made you reflect and relate your “mindset” before NCSSM, and how NCSSM may change that.

Choice 2. Redesign School. How would you redesign school to reward perseverance and grit rather than using IQ, SAT and GPA, class rank?

Choice 3. Question Everything.   Research in grit is still emerging research (which may later prove 'grit' is not an appropriate term); using the evidence and what you identify as gaps or questions in their research or arguments from the readings and videos, instead, question what are the drawbacks of assessing students on 'grit.'

HOW Should I Complete It? 

 Incorporate into your response evidence from the readings/videos on 'grit'  cognitive and metacognitive skills AND the additional reading you chose from the assignment "Select an Additional Reading"  At a minimum, use at least one in-text citation and at least one source from the readings.

Remember, the goal of the assignment is to demonstrate you can:

• Paraphrase your ideas
• Use specific evidence from the readings/videos to support your argument.
• Synthesize together related but different readings from multiple authors and sources.

Remember to review the Paraphrase video Links to an external site.and Academic Writing Expectations at NCSSM for assistance on how to cite and incorporate evidence 

 As this is a common struggle for students in their first NCSSM course; and we want to demonstrate expectations here rather than in your fall course.

HOW do I submit this assignment?  

1. Create a new Google Doc titled "Reflections on Mindsets: YourName"
2. Write your responses and paste which question you are responding to for the second part.
3. Submit the Google Doc URL. 
4. The instructor will make comments on the Google Doc.

HOW Am I Graded?  

40 pts Focus, Organization & Structure  Separate from answer the reading prompt, your writing was focused and not disjointed or disorganized. You correctly answered the prompt and did not stray off topic. Your answered as an argument that supports the original question.

40 pts. Critical Reading & Thinking; Development, Support & Elaboration  You clearly integrated evidence from the readings (multiple readings, not just one or two)  correctly; the evidence you used supported your argument and your own personal experiences.

20 pts. Style and Mechanics.  Correct paraphrase is used; few to no grammatical or spelling errors. Sentence structure and sentence transitions are varied.

WHY should I complete this assignment?

 Many NCSSM instructors expect you to build written arguments based on information you read and paraphrase from academic research and other sources like news media sources.  This provides practice and some feedback on your academic writing before classes start.