ABSTRACT
One part of rigor that is often overlooked is the classroom environment. In order to create a rigorous environment, students must feel that there is a mutual respect between teacher and pupil. Everyone wants to feel as if they are treated fairly and equally. There are many recommendations relating rigor to relevance. That is the value part of motivation. Students are more motivated to learn when they see the value, or the relevance, of the knowledge and skills presented to them. Success is the second key to student motivation. Students need to achieve in order to build a sense of confidence, which is the foundation for a willingness to try something else. A growth mindset is critical to a learning-focused classroom. Students with a growth mindset believe they can learn and become better. Encouraging and reinforcing effort are particularly critical for those students who do not understand the importance of their own efforts.
