Habits of Mind
Habits of Mind are a set of dispositions which help learners to think more deeply about behaviour and help them act intelligently when faced with problems. They also underpin our 'Peaks' strategy and inform the behaviours for learning within our Believe, Respect, Succeed ethos.
At Upper Shirley High we use the Habits of Mind to inform thinking, learning and leadership.They are as follows:
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1. Persisting
Stick to it! Persevering at task through to completion, remaining focused. Looking for ways to reach your goal when stuck. Not giving up!
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2. Thinking about your Thinking: Metacognition
Know your knowing! Being aware of your own thoughts, strategies, feelings and actions and their effect on others.
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3. Thinking and Communicating with Clarity and Precision
Be clear! Striving for accurate communication in both written and oral form; avoiding over-generalisations, distortions, deletions and exaggerations.
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4. Taking Responsible Risks
Venture out! Being adventurous; living on the edge of one’s competence. Trying new things constantly.
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5. Managing Impulsivity
Take your time! Thinking before acting; remaining calm, thoughtful and deliberative.
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6. Striving for Accuracy
Check it again! Always doing your best. Setting high standards. Checking and finding ways to improve constantly.
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7. Gathering Data Through New Senses
Use your natural pathways! Paying attention to the world around you. Gathering data through all the senses; taste, touch, smell, hearing and sight.
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8. Finding Humour
Laugh a little! Finding the whimsical, incongruous and unexpected. Being able to laugh at oneself.
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9. Listening with Understanding and Empathy
Understand others! Devoting mental energy to another person’s thoughts and ideas; making an effort to perceive another’s point of view and emotions.
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10. Questioning and Posing Problems
How do you know? Having a questioning attitude, knowing what data are needed and developing questioning strategies to produce those data. Finding problems to solve.
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11. Creating, Imagining and Innovating
Try a different way! Generating new and novel ideas, fluency, originality.
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12. Thinking Interdependently
Work together! Being able to work in and learn from others in reciprocal situations. Team work.
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13. Thinking Flexibly
Look at it another way! Being able to change perspectives, generate alternatives, consider options.
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14. Applying Past Knowledge to New Situations
Use what you learn! Accessing prior knowledge; transferring knowledge beyond the situation in which it was learned.
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15. Responding with Wonderment and Awe
Have fun figuring it out! Finding the world awesome, mysterious and being intrigued with phenomena and beauty. Being passionate.
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16. Remaining Open to Continuous Learning
Learn from experiences! Having humility and pride when admitting we don’t know; resisting complacency.