Habits of Mind in Action!

Maraekakaho School uses the Habits of Mind as the foundation upon which we place our learning. We are always referring to them throughout our school environment. 

 These are the some Habits that the Rockets use, in "Rocket speak."

The Habits of Mind are a collection of 16 thinking dispositions identified by Professor Art Costa. Costa defined the Habits of Mind as the dispositions skillfully and mindfully displayed by characteristically intelligent people when confronted with problems the solutions to which are not immediately apparent. The Habits of Mind are not thinking tools, rather they are dispositions that inclines one to adopt a thinking tools and strategies.

 Here is Professor Costa explaining the Habits:


This is from some clever kids, posted on You Tube from http://dinorita.edublogs.org/ 



What Habits have you used today?


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Marvin's latest exeats...

In Room 2, we always ask, What would Marvin do? Marvin is helping us learn the Habits of Mind. He is a master of the Habits, and always knows the right thing to do. Marvin manages his impulsivity by thinking before he speaks, and he always remembers to sit still and put his hand up to answer a question.  Marvin is always persistent in his learning, he tries and tries again until he meets his goal. He strives for accuracy by checking he is meeting all the Success Criteria.

Which Habits do you think Marvin used when he went skiing recently?

Rocket RWC Commentary

The Rockets have been putting together some tips for the All Blacks, and how they could use the Habits of Mind to succeed in the 2011 Rugby World Cup. We have had some fun with drama to role play what this would look like. This was adapted from a fabulous original script from "Habits - Centre Stage" by Sandra Brace.

Marilena and Ollie Commentary from MissRevell on Vimeo.

Emer and Kayden's Commentary from MissRevell on Vimeo.

Pavlova Paradise

We were very lucky on Friday, finishing off our learning about who we are as New Zealanders with a special treat. The Rockets and the MTs shared pavlova and chocolate fish to welcome in the holidays! We are pleased to report that a double thumbs up was received from all those who hadn't tried it before.

Annabel shared with us all her research on pavlova. Stunning learning everyone!

Marvin's eyes are bigger than his stomach!

Annabel on Pavlova from MissRevell on Vimeo.

Why is Marvin such an expert in the Habits?

We have been re-visiting our writing on why Marvin is a master of the Habits of Mind. Have a listen and see if you agree...

Emer on why Marvin is an expert... from MissRevell on Vimeo.

Kayden on why Marvin is an expert... from MissRevell on Vimeo.

Gym Bunnies

Gym Bunnies - make slideshow

This term we have been using many of the Habits of Mind when learning Gymnastics. We have had to Strive for Accuracy with the precision of our movements and take Responsible Risks by just having a go when we weren't sure that we could do it. There have been many moments of Wonderment and Awe when we have achieved moves that we didn't think possible!

Matisse Masterpieces

Matisse Masterpieces - slideshows

We have been busy little beavers today, using many Habits of Mind to create some fantastic art. We have been learning about Henri Matisse, and how he loved colour and shape. We found it hard to believe that he died over 50 years ago - even before Miss Revell was born! (That seemed to draw a great deal of attention) We were inspired to create original work that looked similar to Matisse's collages, and the exemplar that Miss Revell had knocked up.

We focused on four habits in particular - Creating, Imagining and Innovating, Managing Impulsivity, Taking a Responsible Risk and Striving for Accuracy. Do you think that we have been successful in using these Habits? Marvin does.

Cloak Bay Capers

We have worked together to solve a problem over the last couple of days. We are lucky to have beautiful new buildings at our school, and we are learning to show that we are proud of them. Our cloak bay was a mess! 

We spent some time thinking about the process that we need to follow to keep our cloak bay tidy. The Rockets knew that a Flow Map would be best to display this process; it puts the things that we need to do in order. Here we are, proudly showing off the results of our efforts. Doesn't this space look great! 

Big Maggie

In the holidays, Marvin visited his cousin, Big Maggie. Big Maggie lives in Christchurch. She is the brainiest Elephant in the world, and uses the Habits of Mind to be successful in all areas of her life. We have written about how Marvin uses the Habits of Mind to be successful inside and outside the classroom. We gave examples of how he does this too. We would love you to come in and read them, and we will post some on our writing page.

Kayden on why Marvin is an expert... from MissRevell on Vimeo.

Emer on why Marvin is an expert... from MissRevell on Vimeo.

Gymnastics

Striving for accuracy on the vault from MissRevell on Vimeo.

Mari on taking a Responsible Risk from MissRevell on Vimeo.

Emer on Striving for Accuracy from MissRevell on Vimeo.

We have been reflecting on our learning in Gymnastics. Many of us are able to articulate which Habits of Mind we have used, and explain how. Here are a couple of examples...

Blast Off!

The Habits of Mind are the foundation upon which we place our learning. We are always referring to them in class. These are the some Habits that the Rockets use, in "Rocket speak."

Olden Days - Habits of Mind

Oliver on the Habits of Mind people used in the Olden Days from MissRevell on Vimeo.

Ryan on the Habits of Mind used in the Olden Days from MissRevell on Vimeo.

Oliver and Ryan talk about how people in colonial New Zealand used the Habits of Mind to overcome the obstacles they faced in day to day life. Ryan is describing milking a cow, an important task to complete in this era.

What Habits of Mind are displayed by the two men in this clip? Remember, you need to give an example of how the Habits are displayed.

Marvin Baryshnikov

Marvin continues to enjoy his week night exeats from Room 2. We love sharing his adventures the next day. He was able to give Emer a few tips on using the Habits to become a successful ballerina, as it turns out he has a famous cousin. Who knew?

Human Patterns

Human Patterns - flash slideshow maker

The Brainiaks and the Rockets used the Habits of Mind this morning when creating patterns. We showed that we were able to Think Interdependently, by working together in our groups to create patterns with our bodies. Marvin and Honey Bear were watching, filled with Wonderment and Awe. They also found humour in some moments! Can you tell what the rules for our patterns are?

Marvelous Marvin

Marvin, the marvelous Habits of Mind monkey (our mascot) is in residence already. We will all be learning together, using a variety of tools such as our fabulous Thinking Maps and the Habits of Mind. It will be fun learning to be independent, reflective and successful learners using these tools.