Habits of Mind Foundation

What is HOM ?

Dispositions that are skillfully and mindfully employed by characteristically intelligent, successful people when they are confronted with problems, the solutions to which are not immediately apparent.
Intelligence is a learned skill. It can be improved through instructions
Whimbey, 1979

The Founder

Arthur L. Costa, Ed.D

Emeritus Professor of Education at California State University, Sacramento. Co-founder of Institute for the Habits of Mind.

Bena Kallick, Ph. D

Private Consultant Areas of focus include Group Dynamic, Creative and Critical Thinking, and Alternative Assesment Strategies for the Classroom.

Nature of Habits of Mind

Dispositions of successful people Applicable to all subject areas As good for adults as it is for students Is useful fo all 'ability' level Enduring

16 Methods of Habits of Mind

1. Thinking Flexibly

Look at it another way Being able to change perspectives Generate alternatives Consider options
Change your thoughts and

you change the world

Ideas to cultivate TF

Consider many different points of views Explore alternatives and options Ask why not

2. Creating, Imagining and Innovating

Try a different way Generating new and nobel ideas Fluency Originality

Ideas to cultivate CII

Mix different ideas to come up with new ones Create many ideas good ideas usually come from sitting lots of it Spend time relaxing usually good ideas come during time of relaxation

3. Remining Open to Continous Learning

I have so much more to learn Resisting complacency Having humility and pride when admitting we don't know
Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance

Ideas to cultivate CL

Develop a love for learning Make learning fun by learning with friends Set goals to improve yourself

4. Listening with Understanding & Empathy

Understand others Devoting mental energy to another person's thoughts and ideas Make effort to perceive another's point of view Emotions
When people talk, listen COMPLETELY. Most people never listen

Ideas to cultivate LUE

Give full attention to the person talking Use pause, paraphrase and probe listening sequence Make eye contact with the speaker Put away distractions

5. Using 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

Nothing reaches the intellect before making its appearence in the senses

Ideas to cultivate UAS

Observe with all your senses Use descriptive words to engages all senses Taste like a chef, touch like a sculptor, see like an artist, smell like a perfumer, listen like a musician

6. Responding with Wonderment & Awe

Have fun figuring it out Finding the world awesome and mysterious Being intrigued with phenomena and beauty
Wisdom begins in wonder
- Socrates -

Ideas to cultivate RWA

Ask why Test assumptions Find beauty in simplicity Acknowledge wounderfulness

7. Thinking Interdependently

Work together Being able to work with others Being able to learn with others Team work

Ideas to cultivate TI

Know each other's strengths and weakness Value each person's contributions Be open to ideas from others

8. Questioning and Problem Posing

How do you know? Having a questioning attitude Knowing what data are needed Developing questioning strategies Finding problems to solve
The most important thing is NOT to stop questioning - Albert Eistein -

Ideas to cultivate QPP

Use the 5W and 1H to help asking good questions Be curious Ask what if..

9. Applying Past Knowledge

Use what you have learn Accessing prior knowledge Transfering knowledge beyond the situation in which it was learned

Look back to learn how to look forward

Ideas to cultivate APK

Reflect on what worked with a similar problem before Apply ideas from one decipline to another Look for patterns that seem to repeat itself, history often does

10. Persisting

Stick to it Persevering in task through to completion Remaining focused Looking for ways to reach goal when stuck Not giving up
Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% persperation

Ideas to cultivate P

Set goals Develop many ways to solve the same problem Find an encourager Develop self-confidence

11. Taking Responsible Risks

Venture out Being adventuresome Living on the edge of one's competence Try new things constantly
When you want to test the depth of a stream, don't use both feet

Ideas to cultivate TRR

Be prepared for possible problems Ask What would i do if... Hope for the best, prepare for the worst Think about who else might be effected if things go wrong

12. Striving for Accuracy

Check it again Always doing your best Setting high standards Checking and finding ways to improve constantly
A man who has committed a mistake and doesn't correct it is making another mistake

Ideas to cultivate SA

Think about the possible sources of errors Check and check again Ask someone else to check for you Use the right instruments Use a check list

13. Precision of Language & Thought

Be clear Striving for accurate communication in written and oral Avoid over generalizations Distortion, deletation, exaggerations
My words fly up, my thoughts remain below, Words without thought never to heaven go

Ideas to cultivate PLT

Use the thesaurus or dictionary Think about a range of words before choosing one Think about how the listener will interpret the message

14. Managing Impulsivity

Take your time Thinking before acting Remaining calm Thoughtful and deliberative
Weight the situation, than move

Ideas to cultivate MI

Think before acting Create several options and choose one carefully Resist making decision when you are emotional

15. Thinking about your Thinking (Metacognition)

Know your knowing Being aware of your own thoughts, strategies, feelings and actions Effects on others
Use a mirror in difficult times.You will see both cause and resolution

Ideas to cultivate TYT

Reflect on how you solve problems Keep a journal Use mind maps to draw out your thought Examine your own actions and ask Why did i do that?

16. Finding Humor

Laugh a little Finding the whimsical, incongrous and unexpected Being able to laugh at oneself

Laughter is the best medicine

Ideas to cultivate FH

See the funny side of situation Use humor to defuse a tense situations Laugh it helps to release 'feel-good' chemicals in your body Use cartoon and humours video to make a learning point

5 Dimensions of Growth (HOM)

Exploring Meaning introduction Expanding Capacity How to ? Increasing Alertness When to use it ? Extending Value Exportable ? Building Commitment use HOM

Forming Habits

Levels of Competence

Unconscious Incompetence Conscious Incompetence Conscious Competence Unconscious Competence

Think Different !

Jump if you dare!

Communication barrier

Mistakes in Friend's!

Think vs Sink

Managing Impulsivity

Never Quit...

Don't judge a book from its cover..

From Zero to Hero

Persistence 1

Positive vs Negative

Cognitive Thinking

Think Differently

Think Flexibly

MisInterpretation

Persistence 2