Why “You Can Do Hard Things” Is the Classroom Mantra Every Upper Elementary Teacher Needs
As upper elementary teachers, we wear a lot of hats. We’re not just educators—we’re cheerleaders, counselors, role models, and mentors. One of the most powerful tools we can give our students isn’t a worksheet, anchor chart, or graphic organizer. It’s belief.
And that belief starts with five simple words: You can do hard things.
This mantra has transformed my classroom culture over the past five years, and today, I’m going to share why it works, how to make it a part of your everyday teaching, and how you can bring it into your own classroom community.
Why the “You Can Do Hard Things” Mindset Matters
Let’s be honest: school is hard. For many of our students, academic challenges come with a heavy dose of self-doubt. When a math problem looks impossible, or a reading passage is dense with tricky vocabulary, students often shut down before they’ve even given themselves a chance to succeed.
That’s where this mantra comes in. Telling students, “You can do hard things” is a simple but powerful way to reframe their thinking. Instead of internalizing the message that “hard = bad” or “hard = failure,” they begin to associate difficulty with growth.
Students Need Reassurance, Not Rescue
When we constantly rush to make things easier for our students, we unintentionally send the message that they can’t handle hard things. But when we normalize struggle and celebrate persistence, we create a classroom culture where effort is valued just as much as results.
Saying “This is hard—and that’s okay. You can do hard things” shows students that:
Struggle is a part of learning
They are capable of pushing through challenges
Growth comes from persistence, not perfection
Making the Mantra Part of Your Classroom Culture
If you’re like me and find yourself repeating the same thing day after day, why not make it visual?
After realizing how often I was saying “You can do hard things,” I decided to put it on display in big, beautiful bulletin board letters. That way, even when I wasn’t saying it aloud, the message was still there—loud, proud, and impossible to ignore.
Create a Visual Anchor for Your Students
Here are a few simple ways to incorporate this mantra into your physical classroom space:
Bulletin Boards: Use bold, colorful letters to display “You Can Do Hard Things” where every student can see it.
Anchor Charts: Add the mantra to charts about growth mindset, learning goals, or perseverance.
Desk Reminders: Create small printable cards that students can keep in their pencil boxes or desks.
Door Decor: Start every day with this powerful message by placing it on your classroom door.
These visuals aren’t just cute—they serve as daily affirmations for students who might not hear these words anywhere else.
Say It. Post It. Live It.
Here’s the thing: putting a motivational quote on the wall is only step one. To really build a classroom culture rooted in perseverance, you have to live this mantra. That means:
Modeling persistence in your own work
Celebrating student effort, not just achievement
Talking openly about moments when you have struggled and pushed through
When students see their teacher normalize difficulty, they begin to believe that struggle is not something to be ashamed of—it’s something to be proud of.
Using the Mantra to Build Social-Emotional Skills
Incorporating “You Can Do Hard Things” into your classroom isn’t just an academic strategy—it’s a powerful social-emotional learning tool.
It Teaches Growth Mindset
Growth mindset is more than just a buzzword. It’s a critical skill that helps students manage stress, overcome setbacks, and build resilience. The phrase “You can do hard things” reinforces this belief in concrete, consistent ways.
Every time you say it, you’re planting a seed that tells students:
Mistakes are part of the journey
Effort leads to improvement
They are in control of their own success
It Empowers Student Independence
When students internalize this message, something amazing happens: they start trying before asking for help. They learn to trust themselves. They become more willing to tackle hard things—whether it's a challenging writing prompt, a long division problem, or even a tough conversation with a peer.
How to Reinforce the Message Across Content Areas
Wondering how to weave this mantra into your actual lessons? Here are a few easy, natural ways to do it across subject areas:
In Reading:
During guided reading: “This passage is dense, but I know you can do hard things.”
When introducing a new text: “These vocabulary words are tough, but let’s figure them out together.”
In Math:
Before tackling a word problem: “You might not get it on the first try, and that’s okay. You can do hard things.”
During small group: “Let’s work through this challenge. What’s one step we can do right now?”
In Writing:
While brainstorming: “It’s hard to get started, but your ideas matter. You can do hard things.”
After revising: “Editing your own work takes focus. But you’ve got this—you can do hard things.”
In Science or Social Studies:
During inquiry-based lessons: “This concept is new and tricky, but I believe in you.”
When interpreting data or primary sources: “This is a challenge, but it’s one you can rise to.”
Bringing the Mantra Home
Encouraging students to embrace challenges shouldn’t stop at the classroom door. You can extend this mindset beyond school by:
Including the mantra in your classroom newsletter
Teaching families how to use it at home
Sharing stories during parent-teacher conferences about how students are showing persistence
When parents hear their child say, “I can do hard things,” at home, they’ll see the ripple effects of your classroom culture in action.
Get the “You Can Do Hard Things” Bulletin Board for Your Room
If you’re ready to bring this mantra to life in your classroom, I’ve got you covered. I’ve created a done-for-you bulletin board set with everything you need to put “You Can Do Hard Things” on display.
It’s been in my classroom for five years now, and I wouldn’t teach without it.
YOU CAN DO HARD THINGS Bulletin Board Letters | Classroom Decor Freebie
I hung these letters above my white board, so that every time my students look at the board the words "You can do hard things" are there to encourage them!
Pro tip!
I cut the letters and then laminated and then re-cut to get the longevity and sealed letters of your dreams.
Final Thoughts: The Message Your Students Will Remember
At the end of the year, your students may forget how to multiply fractions or the details of a science unit. But they will not forget the way you made them feel. And if you’ve taught them that they can do hard things—that they are strong, capable, and worthy of success—then you’ve given them a gift that will last a lifetime.
So next time you’re facing a challenge with your class—or watching a student struggle—take a deep breath, look them in the eye, and remind them: You can do hard things.
