Look For: Productive Struggle

Look For: Productive Struggle

Front: Struggle is productive when it is intentionally scaffolded and does not push students into frustration and stress levels that interfere with learning. It supports self-efficacy and reinforces problem solving skills. It breaks down learned helplessness behaviors and facilitates deeper learning.

Back: Does the teacher tend to solve students' problems? Are students given time and resources to problem solve before receiving help? Is the teacher supporting students by prompting them to describe their thinking, try out different solutions, and tolerate ambiguity? Is the lesson designed with appropriate rigor, with options for differentiation if needed? Are students disengaged due to boredom or frustration?

---