Lake Zurich
South – Effective Effort –Mindset
There is a direct connection between accomplishments
(achievement) and the effort invested to achieve them.
Effective effort is a combination of working hard and applying
effective strategies to “get smarter.”
Effective Effort – what is it?
Effective Effort
(hard work + strategies)
Confidence
(attitude)
Ability
Achievement
It’s not enough to just “try hard.”
Hard Work:
 Time – a willingness to spend the time needed to finish the
job well. More time doesn’t necessarily result in more
effort; one needs to USE TIME EFFICIENTLY. Although time alone is
far from sufficient to accomplish difficult academic tasks, it
is absolutely required.
“There are no secrets to success. It
is the result of preparation, hard
work, and learning from failure.”
Colin Powell
 Focus – CONCENTRATE only on the work (remove distractions, phone, television, etc.). Find what works for
you. Some people need a silent work environment, others need a low volume environment that
blocks out other distractions. Be engaged in the learning.
 Resourcefulness – knowing when, where to go, whom to ask, and what to use for help when you’re
stuck. Check your notes, on-line sources, friends, family, etc. If one approach isn’t working, try
different ones until you find one that works. USE RESOURCES wisely.
 Use of feedback – look carefully at responses to your work so you know exactly what to fix or areas
you could work on in the future. REFLECT on the work you have done and are doing.
 Commitment & Persistence – BE DETERMINED to finish work and strive to achieve great things, especially
when it’s challenging. Realize that struggling is what strengthens the mind. Stick with it & SEEK OUT
CHALLENGES.
 Pride – a feeling of happiness you get when you DO SOMETHING GOOD. Take pride in your work. Your work is
a reflection of your efforts. Put your best efforts forward and feel a sense of accomplishment when
you achieve due to your efforts – a feeling of happiness that “you did it.”
 Creative – be imaginative. Innovate. Be curious. Wonder. Produce something that demonstrates
your level of understanding and something that’s unique to you. Be you and LET YOU SHINE in your work.
+ Strategies:
The knowledge and SKILLS USED TO COMPLETE TASKS SUCCESSFULLY and “get smarter.” If one approach
isn’t working, keep trying different ways until you find one that works.
THINKING STRATEGIES
Inferencing, Predicting, Questioning, Determining Importance,
Visualizing, Monitoring, Connecting, and Synthesizing.
Mathematical Practices:
Next Gen Science and Engineering Practices
1. Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.
 Developing and Using Models
2. Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
 Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking
3. Construct viable arguments & critique the reasoning of others.
 Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
4. Model with mathematics
 Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
5. Use appropriate tools strategically.
 Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
6. Attend to precision.
 Ask Questions and Defining Problems
7. Look for and make use of structure.
 Engaging in Argument from Evidence
8. Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning
 Analyzing and Interpreting Data
Self-Reflection
Make sure you take time to self-assess, (whether it’s a test,
a project, a worksheet, a quiz, a game, practice, or any task)
and use your own thoughts as feedback that might help you
in the future.

Effective Effort
(hard work + strategies)
Confidence
(attitude)
Ability
Achievement
Rate your effort level – how “hard” did I try:
o Did I put in sufficient time to get the job done well?
o Did I focus efficiency and without distraction?
o Did I get and use feedback during my work?
o Did I stick with it even when it was hard?
o How did I struggle? What did I learn from that
struggle?
o Did this challenge me? How?
o Am I proud of my efforts?
o How was what I did unique to me?

What strategies did you apply?
o What strategies were helpful? What worked?
o What other strategies might you have used?

What role did effective effort play?

Were your efforts effective? How?

How are you “smarter” now due to your effort?

What might have you done differently?

What goals did you set? Did you reach it? Why? Why not?

What will be your next challenge?
“Whether or not you
can never become great
at something, you can
always become better
at it. Don't ever forget
that! And don’t say “I’ll
never be good.” You can
become better!”
Neil deGrasse Tyson
“I can accept failure.
Everyone fails at
something. But I can’t
accept not trying.”
Michael Jordan
“I'm a great believer in
luck, and I find the
harder I work the more I
have of it.”
Thomas Jefferson
Goal Setting
You and your brain are developing. SET GOALS for yourself, set goals that require effort to
achieve. Periodically reflect on your goals and monitor your progress. Where have your
efforts gotten you? Where would you like them to get you?
Think about short term, medium term, and long term goals.
We use effective effort to reach our goals.