Teaching For Habits of Mind

Essentially this facet is about developing a thoughtful classroom environment. What can teachers do to signal that the Habits of Mind are a valued way of behaving in school? How might a teacher improve their lesson design so that the activities students are engaging in require them to draw forth and develop the Habits of Mind? When we teach FOR Habits of Mind these are two of the essential questions we are dealing with.

Signaling that Habits of Mind are important

One of the easiest ways to signal the that Habits of Mind are important in a school or classroom are to put visual reminders up. These Habits of Mind Posters (1) are useful for this purpose.

These posters are in Japanese

This Single page summary poster has also been very useful for teachers. Recently improved and updated by Jeff Jackson of Pender's Grove PS.

Various quotes, window promoters and other queues have been used to help signal that Habits of Mind are valued. Examples include:

A poem about Persistence (2) and one about Taking Responsible Risks

Quotes of the week (2), or more quotes (2)

 Other Window Prompters (2)

Reward Systems

Habits of Mind chain

The Habits of Mind Chain involves students in recognizing and rewarding the use of Habits of Mind in the classroom. The resulting chain serves as a visual reminder that the Habits are used and respected in the classroom. . This word document is the same, but larger file that you might like to modify. (4)

Certificates.

Grovelands (8)PS is South Australia uses this certificate

Certificates that recognize the use of Habits can be used in a number of ways. Art Costa talks of a school who send home blank certificates to parents who then recognize and reward the use of the Habits at home. The certificates are bought back to school for display.

Frequent Learner Points.

Daniel Goodling (4) uses this Frequent Learner Points system (explained here). Basically students earn points for using the Habits of Mind and the results are recorded using these trackers. Specific Habits  Summary for Habits

Signaling the Use of Habits of Mind

One simple way of ensuring you are teaching FOR Habits of Mind is to identify, and make explicit to the students, the Habits that will be required for successful completion of the lessson. This is expanded on in the assessment strategy described below.

Assessment Strategies

This strategy makes the application of the Habits of Mind the focus of assessment. (1)

Integrated Units of Work

This Unit of work (9) integrates several Habits of Mind, with a focus on Questioning and Posing Problems.

Reference:
Costa, A. and Kallick, B. (2000) Habits of Mind. A Developmental Series.  Alexandria, VA:  Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development

Icons and Habit descriptions Reprinted by Permission. The Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development is an international education association for educators at all levels and of all subject matter, dedicated to the success of all learners. To learn more, visit ASCD at www.ascd.org