Collecting sources for my Inquiry Project, even in these early stages, has led me in a direction I had not previously thought about. In her article, Nancy Protheroe discusses the importance of a “Can-do Attitude”. Creating high engagement in a classroom can be difficult and Protheroe ties engagement directly to a child’s sense of self-efficacy. If students can visualize a successful outcome, they are more likely to be actively involved in a lesson. She also addresses how if students see others who are similar to them succeeding, it can contribute to their sense of self-efficacy. I always assumed engagement had a strong social factors that hindered students from participating but had not yet attributed it to students personal beliefs regarding their abilities. This also highlights a strategy that teachers can use to promote engagement within a classroom. The more a class feels able and confident that they are not only able to accomplish a task, but do it well, the higher engagement will be.

• Protheroe, N. (2010). Boosting students’ can-do attitude.Principal, 89(5), 40.