Building a Language for Habits of Mind

Here are some words to teach students to use and reflect upon as they develop their Habits of Mind. Enlarge the sheets of words to A3, cut up the words, and ask students to place the words on the appropriate HoM poster or butchers paper with the Habits as titles. They should explain why a word fits into a particular habit.

Persisting Never give up Tireless Try and try again Stand you ground Systematic Reliant Hang in there

Relentless Sustained Stamina Undaunted Tenacity Enduring Hang tough

Perseverance Focused Continuing Drive Diligence Stick-to-it-ness

Managing Impulsivity Think before you act Deliberate Strategic Patient Self-regulated Calm Controlled Count to ten Take a deep breath Planned

Thoughtful Mediate Reflective Wait time Considered

Listening with Understanding and Empathy Empathetic Tuned in Mirroring Attentive Attuned Caring Concentrate Paraphrase Respectful Focused Concentration Summarising Compassionate Thoughtful Considerate Thinking Flexibly Adaptable Open-minded Pliable Resilient Multiple solutions Many possibilities Bendable Diversity Creative Different perspectives Fluent Options Lateral thinking Different point of view Growing Repertoire

Thinking about Thinking - Metacognition Self aware Awareness Thinking aloud Reflective Strategic planning Have a plan in mind

Where am I going? Knowing what you know and what you don't know Inner dialogue Inner feelings Alertness

Self evaluate Mental maps Inside your head Talk-aloud problem solving Cognisance

Thinking about your thinking Talking to your self Inner thoughts Consciousness Self assess Refined Sharp Exactness Clear Proof Quality Ensure Uncompromising Without error Probing Curious Cautious Seeking Speculative Investigative Theorise

Striving for Accuracy Correct Craftsman-like Adroit Hit the bull's eye Perfection On target Correctness Elegant Specific Stamina Flawless Effortless Surety Mastery Quality control Fit Finished Precise Questioning and Posing Problems Interested Quest Clarifying Investigative Interrogative Inquisitive Inquiry Query Proof Delving Qualify Hypothetical Curious Perplexing Sceptical Wondering

Applying Past Knowledge to New Situations Re-use Recycled Know your resources Reminds me of Recall Apply Transfer Use again Scaffolding Just like the time when Reservoir of knowledge Transform and experiences Implementation Utilise

Draw forth Remember Bridge Prior knowledge Similar situations Translate Re-invent

Communicating with Clarity and Precision Articulate Choice of words Grammatically correct Enunciate Command of the Eloquent language Define your terms Editing Clear and precise Organised Direct Structured information Gathering Data Through all Senses Engaged Involved Sensing Learning modalities Interactive Touch Visual, Auditory, Feel it Tactile and Kinaesthetic Perceptual acuity Clarity Move it Dance Sensitivities Sensations Creating, Imagining, Innovation Unique Fecund Fertile Generative Prolific Imaginative Fresh Ingenious Fluent Engender Inventive Clever Artistic Innovative Original Risk taking Finding Humour Laughable Comical Bizarre Satirical Caricature Capricious Funny bone Laugh at yourself Comedian Pun Clown Fanciful Comedy Merry disposition Perceptions Hands-on Concrete Experiential Sensitivity Gustatory, Olfactory Active Productive Brainstorm New Novel Unconventional Divergent Spontaneous Complexity Funny Absurd Jokester Playful Whimsical Witty Hilarious

Responding with Wonderment and Awe Wondrous Alive Sensation Aha! Amazed Amazement Appreciation Far out! Astounding Fascination Excitement Phenomenon Awesome Passionate Marvel Exuberant Way too cool! Miraculous Energised Challenged Insatiable Wide-eyed Mysterious Visionary Obsessed Motivated Enthralled Surprise Transfixed Stunning Taking Responsible Risks Bold Adventurous New pathways Exploration Pathfinders Unconventional Living on the edge Vagabond spirit Roving Individualistic Do your thing! Just do it! Thinking Interdependently Cooperative Collegial Sense of Family community Interconnected Support group Reciprocity Synergistic Harmonious Amicable Reciprocal Companionship Courageous Daring Gamble Challenged Free-spirited Be different Congenial Interdependence Team work Mutual Social Contiguous

Remaining Open to Continuous Learning Continuous learning Problem finding Dissatisfied Insatiable Inquisitive Self-modifying Self evaluating Self-help Continual learner Lifelong learning Perpetual student Failing forward Learning from Self actualising Mastery experience Commitment Thirst for learning Curious