Each month staff members met in grade-alike groups to discuss the habit to be
taught and plan a concept attainment lesson. The meetings allowed us to become
comfortable with the ideas involved in practising that behavior. They also provided
an opportunity for the staff to establish a common vocabulary that was used
throughout the school. The students were empowered by the behavioral structure
provided though the Habits of Mind and by their own comfort level with the
vocabulary. Programs were set up throughout the school to encourage and
recognize the use of Habits of Mind. A home component was also encouraged and
supported through the school’s parent group.
Our teaching of intelligent behaviors went beyond being a strategy or a new
methodology. For Queen Elizabeth School, Habits of Mind became a way of
looking at what was going on in our school. They empowered individuals as
responsible problem solvers. They moved the emphasis in teaching and learning
away from teachers and allowed students the chance to grow and learn through
their own initiative. On a surface level, we recognized that the bulletin boards, the
at-home projects and the relevant children’s literature all contributed to the
development of the students’ understanding. We also acknowledged the power of
common vocabulary in enhancing our supervision strategies that gave a structure
to our lessons and empowering students with what they considered “adult”
words. However, the effect that was least expected and most appreciated was the