Module 5.

HOW TO TEACH HABITS OF MIND

HOW TO TEACH HABITS OF MIND

1. HELP STUDENTS UNDERSTAND HABITS OF MIND

see how to…

2. CREATE A CULTURE IN THE CLASSROOM AND THE

SCHOOL THAT ENCOURAGES THE DEVELOPMENT AND
USE OF THE HABITS OF MIND

see how to…

3. HELP STUDENTS IDENTIFY AND DEVELOP

STRATEGIES RELATED TO THE HABITS OF MIND

see how to…

HELP STUDENTS UNDERSTAND HABITS OF MIND

Facilitate classroom discussion of each habit

Use examples from literature and current events

of people who are using the habits in different
situations

Share personal anecdotes that relate to a habit

Notice and label student behavior that

demonstrates a particular habit

Ask students to identify personal heroes or

mentors and describe the extent to which they
exemplify specific habits of mind

Have students create posters that illustrate their

understanding of the habits

CREATE A CULTURE IN THE CLASSROOM AND THE SCHOOL THAT

ENCOURAGES THE DEVELOPMENT AND USE OF THE HABITS OF MIND

Model the habits

Integrate the habits into the daily routines and activities of the classroom

Critical Thinking

Creative Thinking
Meta-cognition

Develop and display posters, icons, and other visual representations to

express the importance of productive habits of mind

When appropriate, cue students to focus on specific mental habits or ask

them to identify habits that would help them while working on difficult
tasks

Appoint "process observers," students who watch for positive examples

of other students who are demonstrating the habits

Ask students to self-assess their use of specific habits

Give students feedback on a report card or progress report

CREATE A CULTURE IN THE CLASSROOM AND THE SCHOOL THAT

ENCOURAGES THE DEVELOPMENT AND USE OF THE HABITS OF MIND

CRITICAL THINKING

Use debate:

debate is a common activity in classrooms and is one of the best

arenas in which to reinforce the habits of critical thinking. During a
debate, information is presented, defended, attacked, and so on,
setting up the need to be clear and seek clarity or to respond
appropriately to others' feelings and levels of knowledge.

Periodically have groups of three or four students prepare to debate an

issue related to the content you are teaching. Then set them up to
debate in a "fish bowl" format:

Have two groups debate in the middle of the room while the other
students in the class observe and pay particular attention to whether
the debaters are displaying the habits of critical thinking. At the end of
the debate, ask the observers to give feedback to the debate teams. In
particular, have them point out specific instances in which team
members used one or more of the habits of critical thinking.

CREATE A CULTURE IN THE CLASSROOM AND THE SCHOOL THAT

ENCOURAGES THE DEVELOPMENT AND USE OF THE HABITS OF MIND

CREATIVE THINKING

Solving structured problems is an excellent way to reinforce the

habits of creative thinking

Structured problems are those that have relatively clear

goals; they are found in textbooks, games magazines, and
Puzzle books.

Give students structured problems at the beginning or end of

class periods or during slow times. While students are working
on these problems, ask them to concentrate on one or more
specific habits of creative thinking.

example: when working on problems that require some

invention, have them focus on the habit of generating new
ways of viewing situations outside the boundaries of standard
convention.

CREATE A CULTURE IN THE CLASSROOM AND THE SCHOOL THAT

ENCOURAGES THE DEVELOPMENT AND USE OF THE HABITS OF MIND

META-COGNITION

Have students identify and pursue long-term goals.

example: a student might identify the goal of joining a particular athletic

team. Encourage him to use the habit of planning (by setting up a practice
schedule for himself) or of being responsive to feedback (by identifying a way
to measure her progress in the skills necessary to earn a position on the team.

Have students identify goals that excite them and that they can accomplish
within the year, semester, or quarter.

Have students write down their goals and identify objectives or milestones.

Once every two weeks, students should meet with a teacher, counselor, or
their peers to report on their progress. At the end of the agreed-upon period),
ask students to report on their goals, their progress, and what they learned
about the mental habits of meta-cognition.

HELP STUDENTS IDENTIFY AND DEVELOP STRATEGIES RELATED

TO THE HABITS OF MIND

Use think-aloud to demonstrate specific strategies

Ask students to share their own strategies

Encourage students to find examples of strategies

mentioned in literature and current events

Ask students to interview others (e.g., parents,

friends, or neighbors) to identify strategies

Each quarter or semester, ask students to identify

and focus on a habit of mind they would like to
develop