Mind while achieving the content goals important in each curricular area
(see Figure 22.4).
We a r e f o r t u n a t e i n Wa s h i n g t o n S t a t e t o h a v e a d o p t e d a s e t o f s t a t e
standards that identify the core processes of the disciplines rather than
focusing on a specific body of content for students to learn. These pro-
cesses reinforce thinking skills and Habits of Mind. An example is the
teaching of problem solving and reasoning in mathematics. Students
apply the thinking skills of finding patterns, interpreting and organizing
information, and forming conclusions while demonstrating persistence,
drawing on past knowledge, and using metacognition to explain their rea-
soning. Each content area contains key concepts and skills that link to a
subset of the thinking skills and Habits of Mind. Identifying the founda-
tional skills and habits allows our teachers to apply these while focusing
instruction on the core content of their disciplines.
Habits of Mind Lessons
In addition to the structure of our curriculum based on the model of
nested objectives, we have created specific lessons to teach each of the
16 Habits of Mind in a systematic way. Students are introduced to the
habits at the elementary level through the integrated units. At middle
school, grades 6 and 7, students engage in a two-year curriculum that pro-
vides direct instruction in each Habit of Mind. Eight habits are taught at
grade 6 and the other eight at grade 7 (see Figure 22.5).
Te a c h e r s u s e t h e 4 5 - m i nu t e a d v i s o r y p e r i o d o n e d a y a w e e k t o p r o v i d e
a lesson in one of the habits. A specific Habit of Mind is the focus for two
to four weeks at a time and is integrated into the curriculum where rele-
vant and appropriate. The habits form the thread for building content
connections and serve as a social skills program at the middle level. We
believe that it is important to directly teach the habits in a formalized
approach to ensure that all students have opportunities to reflect on the
importance and meaning of each of the 16 Habits of Mind.
The lessons that we provide use picture books and hands-on activities
that encourage interaction and creativity. For example, students explore
listening with understanding and empathyby reflecting on the qualities of
the boy interviewer in the book So What’s It Like to Be a Cat?The next
Integrating the Habits of Mind: A District Perspective 367