NATIONALS IN A NUTSHELL THE GROWTH MINDSET Session 2016-17 Lanark Grammar School NATIONALS IN A NUTSHELL THE GROWTH MINDSET Session 2016-17

Nationals in a nutshell National 3 – unit based National 4 – unit based, Added Value National 5 – unit based, assignment and exam Higher – usually S5 onwards As appropriate, pupils make progress in courses through levels throughout the Senior Phase S4-6. Achievement of National 3 and 4 is a PASS. National 5/Higher are graded A, B, C…

Hang on! What’s a unit assessment? A unit assessment is the work done in class to show that learners have the skills needed to meet the standards of the course It can take the form of a specific task set by the teacher, or can be a formal test of skills. N4 Practical Woodwork: Making a Carcase Construction Outcome 2: The learner will construct a range of basic woodwork joints used in carcase construction by: 2.1 Marking out joints, with guidance, to within specified tolerance 2.2 Constructing joints, with guidance, such that joint gaps do not exceed specified tolerance 2.3 Using tools and equipment safely and correctly

Why are the unit assessments important? Learners need to pass the unit assessments to gain the qualification. If not passed, the teacher will give further support and targets to help the learner make progress, before there is another chance to pass The re-assessment will be different from the first time If the learner doesn’t pass the second attempt, they will normally need to consider changing to the lower level.

how are National 5s graded? All marks from the assignment and exam are calculated into an overall percentage to give an overall grade: 85-100% = Grade A (Band 1) PASS 70%-84% = (Band 2) 65%-69% = Grade B (Band 3) 60%-64% = (Band 4) 55%-59% = Grade C (Band 5) 50%-54% = (Band 6) 45%-49% = Grade D (Band 7) FAIL 0%-44% = No Award (Band 8)

What can learners do to succeed? Be in school Plan and keep up to date with work Participate fully in the learning of the class Become an independent learner Engage in wider reading Be well organised Have high expectations

EFFORT SCALE

THE INNER VOICE “I’m not sure I can do that” “If I fail, then everyone will know I’m a failure…” “There’s no point in me even trying…” “I’m so going to fail this…” Everyone else seems to do this well, but for some reason I just can’t…” “I’m just not good at it…” “I’m not that smart…” “I’m not as clever as…” “No-one would expect me to be able to do that…”

Fixed vs. growth mindset FIXED MINDSET GROWTH MINDSET Challenges Avoids challenge Embraces challenges Obstacles Gives up easily Persists against setbacks Effort Sees effort as pointless Effort is key to success Criticism Ignores or misinterprets feedback Learns from criticism Success of others Feels threatened by others’ success Learns from others’ example

Learning, growing, succeeding Key points for Parents Praise carefully – not for intelligence but for effort Encourage deliberate practice and focussed effort Encourage high challenge tasks Discuss mistakes as opportunities to learn Talk about having choosing the right mindset Teach children to talk back to their ‘fixed mindset’