BSILI Handout for Habits of Mind A habit of mind is an acquired predisposition to respond in particular ways.

Exemplary Habits of Mind (www.habitsofmind.org)

1. Persisting: Stick to it. Persevere with task through to completion; remain focused. Look for ways to reach your goal when stuck. Do not give up. 2. Managing impulsivity: Take your time. Think before acting. Remain calm, thoughtful and deliberative. 3. Listening with understanding and empathy: Understand others. Devote mental energy to another persons thoughts and ideas. Make an effort to perceive anothers point of view and emotions. 4. Thinking flexibly: Look at it another way. Be able to change perspectives, generate alternatives, and consider options. 5. Thinking about your thinking (Metacognition): Know your knowing. Be aware of your own thoughts, strategies, feelings and actions and their effects on others. 6. Striving for accuracy: Check it again. Always do your best. Set high standards. Check and find ways to improve constantly. 7. Questioning and problem posing: How do you know? Have a questioning attitude; know what data are needed and develop questioning strategies to produce those data. Find problems to solve. 8. Applying past knowledge to new situations: Use what you learn. Access prior knowledge; transfer knowledge beyond the situation in which it was learned. 9. Thinking and communicating with clarity and precision: Be clear. Strive for accurate communication in both written and oral form; avoid over generalizations, distortions, deletions and exaggerations. 10. Gather data through all senses: Use your natural pathways. Pay attention to the world around you. Gather data through all the senses; taste, touch, smell, hearing and sight. 11. Creating, imagining, and innovating: Try a different way. Generate new and novel ideas, fluency, and originality. 12. Responding with wonderment and awe: Have fun figuring it out. Find the world awesome, mysterious and be intrigued with phenomena and beauty. 13. Taking responsible risks: Venture out. Be adventuresome; live on the edge of ones competence. Try new things constantly. 14. Finding humor: Laugh. Find the whimsical, incongruous and unexpected. Be able to laugh at oneself. 15. Thinking interdependently: Work together. Be able to work in and learn from others in reciprocal situations. Be a team player. 16. Remaining open to continuous learning: Embrace having more to learn. Have humility and pride when admitting you dont know; resist complacency.

Do these student descriptors resonate with your experience? Add your personal observations:

Student Development Theories

As you view the video, No Big Deal, consider Jasmines habits of mind -How Jasmine views her individual effort: How well she participated in class: The quality of her work: How satisfied she is with her work: Things she found difficult to figure out: Things she found interesting and enjoyable: How she thinks about improving her performance: How she views her work compared to that of an expert: What she views as important and relevant about the course:

Habits of Mind & the Powerful Classroom 1. What habits of mind are currently practiced by students in your classrooms? 2. 3. What habits of mind would you like to see practiced in your classrooms?

Habits of Mind Across Campus 1. What habits of mind are currently practiced across campus? 2. What structures, policies and practices would move students from Column 1 to 3? 3. What habits of mind would you like to see practiced across campus?