5 Immediate Responses to Win Over An Elementary Student's "I Can't Do This!" School-Attitude

Students do a great job at learning different math skills throughout the school week.  There are other times where one particular math skill is just proving too hard to understand and make any sense to the elementary student.  Oftentimes, the student gives up and says outloud, "I can't do this!!"  How is the classroom teacher suppose to respond?  The following are 5 immediate teacher responses that help the elementary student overcome challenging math obstacles:

1.  After you hear the student say, "I can't do this!", address the student and say, "Let's see what we can do to make this easier for you."  Right then and there, you are letting him or her know that it will take the teacher and the student to resolve the issue.  Also, you are making the student aware that you want to help and that you don't want him or her struggling over the math skill but feeling confident that he or she has mastered another math skill.

2.  Identify where the student is struggling with the math skill.  Work with the student until he or she can work independently. 

3.  Provide encouragement/positive reinforcement while working together on some problems.  Monitor closely throughout independent practice time and say something like, "I knew you could do it!"

4.  Provide immediate feedback on the student's math progress for the day. (One example, check all math assignments given for that day.)

5.  Write a quick, positive, short comment and give to the student.  This will remind the student that they can overcome a challenge.   With help and support from the teacher,  the student can have an "I CAN do this!" school-attitude.

How have you helped students who have an "I can't do this!" school-attitude?