Question #2: Am I going to make it?

The 2nd question every student asks upon entering the classroom is "Will I make it?" (For question number 1, click here.)  In other words, "Am I capable?" or "Can I be successful?". There are three buzzwords floating around the eduverse today that may appear to be passing trends, but in actuality are foundational principles that in practice will let students know you believe they are successful. 

• Rigor is the belief that students can go beyond rote memorization because they are not only receptacles for information but also gatherers, processors, and communicators. It is not increasing the volume of work, but rather the value of work. Rigor also believes that each student is expected to learn at high levels.  Shifting to a rigorous environment in the classroom can be difficult at first. Both students and parents may complain and resist. A teacher has to be willing to witness these struggles and provide support while remaining resolute. Additionally, we as educators have to be willing to embrace rigorous practices by thinking critically about how and what we teach.  Barbara Blackburn has written an excellent article defining rigor: The Seven Myths of Instructional Rigor.
• Resilience or Grit is simply the ability to keep going despite mistakes and challenges. Teaching students about and requiring them to be resilient lets them know you believe they have what it takes to succeed. Grit and resilience should be words students hear, see, and celebrate at their schools. In the article, "Teach Kids to use the Four-Letter Word", Joe Hirsch suggests ways to promote grit in the classroom. 
• Failure or empowering students to fail is another way students can know you believe they are capable of success. Our students must know that failure is a stop on a journey, not a permanent destination. Just this week, I had someone express to me fear about trying something new. "What if I end up with egg on my face?" I answered, "You just wipe it off." For some reason, failure has become an enemy to not only students, but also parents. It's something we protect students from or teach them to fear or avoid. We must model for students that failure is nothing more than a stepping stone, a building tool, a detail to be woven into a narrative about success. This article discusses the Benefits of Failure. Cybraryman provides an extensive list of links, quotes, and ideas about failure. 

How do you help students know you believe in their ability to succeed?