Habits of Mind ConferenceSydney 2009

Margaret Lee

Principal San Sisto College

An integrated approach

to

Learning,

Life

and

Dominican ethos

“What we do is intentional.”

Habits of Mind (and Spirit)

“What we do is intentional.”

“What we do is intentional.”

Habits of Mind (and Spirit)

“What we do is intentional.”

Habits of Mind (and Spirit)

“What we do is intentional.”

Habits of Mind (and Spirit)

“What we do is intentional.”

Habits of Spirit

(and Mind)“What we do is intentional.”

Habits of Spirit

(and Mind)“What we do is intentional.”

Habits of Spirit

(and Mind)“What we do is intentional.”

Habits of Spirit

(and Mind)“What we do is intentional.”

Habits of Spirit

(and Mind)“What we do is intentional.”

Habits of Spirit

(and Mind)“What we do is intentional.”

Habits of Spirit

(and Mind)“What we do is intentional.”

Habits of Spirit

(and Mind)“What we do is intentional.”

Habits of Spirit

(and Mind)“What we do is intentional.”

Habits of Spirit

(and Mind)“What we do is intentional.”

Habits of Spirit

(and Mind)“What we do is intentional.”

Habits of Spirit

(and Mind)“What we do is intentional.”

Habits of Spirit

(and Mind)“What we do is intentional.”

Habits of Spirit

(and Mind)“What we do is intentional.”

Habits of Spirit

(and Mind)“What we do is intentional.”

Habits of Spirit

(and Mind)“What we do is intentional.”

Habits of Mind and Spirit

• They are intentional and planned

• They bring a new shared language

• They are recognised, celebrated & reported on

• They develop life-long learner attributes

• They make our Catholic Christian

Dominican ethos and values overt and obvious

On going development

Lesson planning

Methodology as per HOM

Stickers, booklets, HOM&S Lessons

Habits of Mind & Spirit Assemblies

Verigram letters

Assessment & Reporting

Teacher Observations & Feedback

SAN SISTO COLLEGE: STAFF FEEDBACK ON PROFESSIONAL PRACTICETeacher: ______________________________ Subject: _____________________ Date:________________

Comments:•To what extent is there an effective learning culture evident? (DoL 1 and 5)

1.Behaviour support2.Student focus and engagement3.Teacher’s enthusiasm and passion for subject 4.Relationship between teacher and students5.High expectations

•To what extent does the teacher recognize different learning needs? (VARK, Learning Support)1.Variety of activities2.Suitability of activities

•To what extent is the College Pedagogical Framework considered?1.Habits of Mind & Spirit2.Dimensions 2, 3 and 4 (high order thinking, reasoning, decision making, different perspectives, analysis etc)

•Other

•Feeding forward…

Margaret LeePrincipal

Your attempts to improve the

Habit of Mind

____________________________

Have been noticed!

Congratulations

________________________________

__________________ _________________

Well done,

______________

Your Habit of Mind

________________

is developing well during class.

Keep on trying!

This Habit of Mind will assist

you in your quest to improve

your results.

_________________

___________

Resources: Samples from Teacher’s Resource Kit

Your attempts to improve the

Habit of Mind

____________________________

Have been noticed!

Congratulations

________________________________

__________________ _________________

Resources: Samples from Teacher’s Resource Kit

ねばりづよく学ぼう

Non ti arrendere!

Persist!

And our Dominican

ethos becomes more

integrated into the

Life of the Learner

and

Culture of the College

… and the journey will continue

• The Five Dimensions of Learning (McREL) are nested

• within our Pedagogical Framework.

• Dimension 1: Attitudes and Perceptions (for Learning, Life and Well-

Being) must be positive for full involvement in the learning opportunities offered at the college. Everything girls do should be “lined” with a positive

attitude, an optimistic spirit, a healthy respect for life and learning and for all

other members of the community.

• Dimension 2: Acquiring and Integrating Knowledge, Dimension 3:

Extending and Refining Knowledge and Dimension 4: Using knowledge

Meaningfully inform our planning and teaching processes that promote higher

order thinking and more effective learning outcomes.

Dimension 5: Habits of Mind and Spirit also serves

as a “lining” or underpinning base for all learning

activities. We have adopted Arthur Costa’s 16 Habits of

Mind of Mind as the basis of this Dimension. Our

Dominican heritage and ethos informs the development

of habits of “Spirit”.

Catholic ethos, Dominican heritage and College

Values permeate all college practices, policies and

procedures.

Central to all we do is an attention to Right

Relationships, Personal Well-Being and High

Expectations. We believe that girls learn best when

they feel happy in themselves and in their relationships.

We have a well-developed extra and co curricular

program and encourage girls to engage in the social justice,

cultural, sporting and leisure pursuits offered. It is in so doing

that they can further develop good habits and attitudes, and

a sense of belonging to our community.

Students learn about their modal preference for learning

(using the VARK methodology) and our girls have access to

a Study Skills program (through this website) in order to

assist them in their learning and study techniques.

Parents and girls are invited to Parent-Teacher-Student

interviews twice a year so that the particular learning needs

of each girl may be discussed and so that the partnership in

education between all parties may be fostered.

Journey thus far:During 2007 it was agreed to

implement Dimensions of Learning as the

framework for learning.

Day 1 Term 2

2007: Staff began work on what became a

Statement of Vision and Values.

Term 3 2007: Principal presented the Vision and

Values Statement in its final draft, with a

summary and overview of Dimensions of Learning.

Term 3 2007: Principal introduced first training in

Habits of Mind.

Term 4 2007: Principal presented more detailed

overview of Dimensions of Learning. All staff given

Dimensions Folder of resources.

Term 1 2008: Principal completed training and

manual for Dimension 5 Habits of Mind.

All staff completed training at Assisi College inDimensions 2 – 4. All year 8 students completed

specific lessons on Habits. All students completed

training in one Habit per week.

During year, all staff who completed training in

Habits of Mind by Art Costa or James Anderson,

completed training to staff.

Term 4 2008: All staff presented 5 minute exposes of

graphic organizers that they had used in their

classes.

Term 1 2009: Principal trained staff in Dimension 1 and

5 and provided further resources.

Deputy completed further training of Dimension 2 – 4.

Curriculum Coordinators refined planning tool based on

feedback.

Principal launched the College Pedagogical Framework

(inclusive of Dimensions).

Term 1 -4 2009: Teachers enrolled in Habits of Mind

training with James Anderson. Staff training and

requirements to emphasise Habits continues. Principal

uses Verigram and assemblies and posters to

emphasise Habits.

Term 2 2009: Principal and Deputy attend Dimensions

of Learning training with ANSN (Tina Doe).