Students reference their teacher’s guidance in organization, study habits, character traits and values (like persistence, striving for accuracy, etc.). They have internalized these traits beyond just talking about them which has led to personal growth on the part of the student.
Introduction
The Habits of Mind introduced by Arthur Costa and Bena Kallick (2009) are important in a classroom learning environment. They are the sixteen different characteristics and mindsets that help students to develop appropriate responses to problems and help them with personal growth. We teach and practice these Habits of Mind in the classroom as ways to ensure that students are internalizing these Habits and are prepared for solving problems as they grow. As the teacher, it is my job to explicitly teach and model these Habits in my classroom to ensure that students are internalizing these traits to lead to personal growth.
Habits of Mind in Room 302 at Bridges Public Charter School
Students in the fourth grade at Bridges Public Charter School were not familiar with the Habits of Mind until I took over the English classroom mid-December. Since then, students were explicitly taught the three Habits of Mind listed with the intention of continuing to teach all sixteen Habits of Mind throughout the rest of the school year. Students are continuing to practice them with reinforcement activities and reflections.
