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

2. 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…

3. 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

4. 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.

5. how are National 5s graded?
All marks from the assignment and exam are calculated into an overall percentage to give an overall grade: % = 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)

6. 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

7. EFFORT SCALE

8. 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…”

9. 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

10. 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’