September 26, 2016

Principal’s Corner

Dear Lawrence Families,

Lawrence has been integrating the Habits of Mind into our work with students for several years. Every few weeks I’ll be providing more information about the Habits of Mind in the Principal’s Corner. I encourage you to talk with your family about these Habit of Minds.Give examples of how you use that habit in your work and life. Ask them how they have used it in school and how they might use it in their life away from school. You can ask, “What is it?”, “What does it look like, sound like or feel like?”. Keep it short, model your own learning, and make it fun! For questions please refer to your child’s teacher or Mr. Blair.

Habits of Mind

The Habits of Mind work started many years ago and has developed in several ways. Researchers from top universities have focused on “intelligent behaviors” over the last thirty years. These “intelligent behaviors” have been identified as those thinking “habits” or “behaviors” that that have a strong correlation to success in relationships, school and the workplace. Thousands of successful people have been studied to see which of these intelligent behaviors contributed most to their personal success and happiness.

Arthur Costa and Bena Kallick have identified 16 intelligent ways of thinking in their book series, ​Habits of Mind.​ I recommend the first book in the series as a great way to begin to learn about and implement the habits of mind into our own lives. Research from schools implementing Habits of Mind into their work is on­going and is showing great promise on a variety of levels. The 16 Habits of Mind from Costa and Kallick will be posted on the PTO Website for reference and will also be shared in the Principal’s Corner..

In implementing Habits of Mind in the classroom​ we look at the ​activity the student is asked to complete. This ​activity is chosen to help the stud​ent learn the​ ​concept. The ​concept is based on the curriculum and standards in each con​ tent area. The ​process of learning is then considered as to how best to teach the concept to students based on learning styles and other fac​tors. The ​Habits of Mind that most correlate to student​ success on​ that ​concept and ​activity are then inco​rporated into the ​process of the lesson. This four step process does not take anything away from the curriculum but rather enriches the lesson as students learn to use the Habits of Mind to access their own learning and und​ erstanding of the ​process and the concept.

​Reminders:

  • Tuesday, September 27 ­ PTA, 8:00­9:00am, Library
  • Thursday, September 29 ­ Principal Forum, 8:00­9:00am, Library
  • Monday, October 3 ­ No School, Rosh Hashanah
  • Tuesday, October 4 ­ Lawrence School Council, 8:00­9:00am, Library
  • Thursday, October 6 ­ Halloween Costume Swap, 2:30pm
  • Friday, October 7 ­ Halloween Costume Swap, 1:40pm

7:50 AM ­ — Students should arrive at school, 7:55 they are “living on the edge” of being tardy. Please help them get a good start to their day by leaving earlier if you are not here by 7:50 each day.

“Remember that whining doesn’t solve problems.” Melissa age 10

Sincerely, Warren Blair
wa​rren_blair@psbma.​org

Laura Horst
laura_horst@psbma.org

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