Making these shifts takes time. Districts committed to incorporating the
Habits of Mind into the curriculum are destined for a long and rich journey.
Structures must be built, including units of study that integrate the Habits
of Mind, specific lessons for teaching the Habits of Mind, and clear expec-
tations for what is valued and expected in the classroom. Also, leadership at
all levels must sponsor and guide the work. Finally, the commitment must
be ongoing and model the habits of persistence, flexibility, and creativity.
Our superintendent’s goal is for us to feel confident in placing our own chil-
dren in any classroom in our district, knowing that each child will receive
the very best instruction and a consistent focus on the district outcomes. He
keeps this goal clearly at the forefront as we proceed on our journey.
In A Whole New Mind, Daniel Pink (2006) tells us that we are enter-
ing the Conceptual Age, in which right-brained thinking will be valued
more than logical reasoning skills because computers will increasingly
perform the tasks once accomplished by skilled analytical workers. How-
ever, computers cannot create, understand relationships, and search for
meaning, all of which are distinctly human goals. The Habits of Mind
define what Pink and other futurists say will characterize successful peo-
ple in the 21st century. If we want to provide our students with the new
basic skills, then the Habits of Mind must be at the top of our list.
Our young people deserve preparation for work and for life that will
empower them to succeed in an ever-changing world. We are at risk from
environmental challenges, political unrest, and a myriad of social issues.
How do we provide support for our children in these difficult times? We
build a foundation on the Habits of Mind to educate caring, creative,
and confident people who can address the unending challenges of a com-
plex world.
References
Costa, A., & Garmston, R. (1998). Maturing outcomes. Encounter: Education for
Meaning and Social Justice, 11 (1) pp. 10–18.
Goodlad, J. (1984). A place called school: Prospects for the future. New York:
McGraw-Hill.
Pink, D. (2006). A whole new mind. New York: Riverhead Books.
The Tahoma School District Web page is at http://www.tahomasd.us. We invite you to
explore the resources and information included at this site.
Integrating the Habits of Mind: A District Perspective 377