Kevin tested out a specific learning strategy in his advisor class in order to see if he could help students develop more academic mindsets that would were both meaningful and specific. In this slideshare, examples of student goal-setting emails are used to highlight the strategic process used to help students learn how to craft meaningful and effective goals so that they can see tangible examples of growth.

1. Using Frequent and Specific
Feedback to help kids craft goals
that develop academic mindsets
Crew-Advisor Period
Polaris Expeditionary Learning School

2. Helping students develop systems and
habits that translate to success
• Weekly goal-setting for academic performance.
• Frequent and specific teacher feedback on how
to write goals that translate into action (learning
strategies). Also coaching on academic mindset
messaging.
• Weekly student-reflection on progress and how/if
the specific action tried led to reaching their goal
of academic success.
• Email format makes it more conversational and
conducive to reflection.

3. Using Goal-Setting in CREW (academic advisement)
to develop Learning Strategies
Farrington, C. A., Roderick, M., Allensworth, E., Nagaoka, J., Keyes, T. S., Johnson, D. W., & Beechum, N. O. (2012). Teaching Adolescents to
Become Learners: The Role of Noncognitive Factors in Shaping School Performance--A Critical Literature Review. Consortium on Chicago School
Research. 1313 East 60th Street, Chicago, IL 60637.

5. A typical weekly goal-setting email

6. Learning to write goals - Brooke
9/17/2013
Math: Looks good to. I think the grade is fine but i could start
paying more attention anyways
10/3/2013
Math: I missed the revision for a math tests that i didnt do
amazing on and i cant bring my grade up right now. I will try to
do really good on the test that helps bring up our grade.
11/14/2013
Math: I have a 3.1 and I cant revise anything but tomorrow I
will work really hard on my blow up Barbie assignment so I
can raise my grade.

7. 12/3/13
Math: 3.0 I am going to take that test on Thursday that
will help us revise all the tests we didn't do good on and
study for that 10 minutes every night. I’m also starting to
work with Ellie is class because she is always focused.
2/18/14
In Geography I have a 2.9. To improve my academic
performance in this class I'm going to try to make a
quality rhythm about Andrew Jackson on Wednesday. I'll
know I have met my goal if I am proud of it. I'll know that
I have met my goal by Thursday and I will measure it by
how well I think I did on it.

8. Reflecting on results
Michael
Kevin,
Last week I set goals for three of my classes including bringing more food to stay alert, revising
work, and talking with my teacher one-on-one. In Algebra I said I would talk to Lee about how I
can change my grade for the better. I did this and my grade now stands higher than it was when
I set these goals. In Science I set out to revise the meiosis poster and study each night, which I
did. Because I did this my grade came from a C to a B. And in English I found that I would be
hungry and distracted because of it, so I set to bring food to eat to gain concentration, and when
I did my grade became an A and I could focus better.
When I decided I'd do these things I did not think the changes would be so obvious, but they
were, and I'm glad for it.
Michael

9. hi Kevin,
Providing Frequent and Specific
Feedback
Ellie
science. In science i am doing very well although i have to turn in the cheek cell lab witch i h ave done
but has not been graded.I also have to talk to kevi about my science notation practice and have to turn
in organelle research which i have done but has not been graded.--Very specific actions here. Awesome!
Math. i have a 3.3 in math so i doing well but i did get a three on my snapshot so that made me a 3.3 but
i will study my homework after i do next time to make my grade better.--great plan, but I want to
encourage you to think about the learning and let the grades follow  For example, a different way to
end that sentence might be…"I will study my homework after I do next time to make sure I am hitting
the target."
geography. i have an a in geography but i am expecting to be challenged by the geography test on Friday
so i am good shape there.—I love the growth mindset language here, and that you are excited about
challenge. This is a trait that will serve you well Ms. Ellie!
English. i have a b in English but i am revising something so that will make that better.—What is it?
What does revision look like in that regard?
Ellie

10. From Learning Strategy to Mindset
Toby
Dear Kevin,
Non-academic wise I think I did pretty good last year, but there was some struggle.
Outside of school I have been trying to learn Java, but I have been playing a lot of video
games that distract me and make me not want to do it. This made it hard and I have not
learned much at all. This semester I would like to program at least 15 minutes a day to
keep all of the code in my head and not just let it float away. To meet this goal I am going
to leave a sticky note on my PC desktop that says "Did you program for those 15
minutes?". This should help me remember to get to it before I go any play games. I think
only I can help my self meet this goal because it is my choice to learn Java and no one is
forcing it upon me. I am doing it because I like to and I just want to make sure I keep at it.