members to brainstorm additions to fit your situation. Although you might
be tempted to abandon the Us, save them for a later date. A school’s cir-
cumstances constantly change, and today’s Umight be tomorrow’s P.
Exploring Meanings
- Develop a “code of ethics” based on the Habits of Mind. Distri-
bute this code to every member of the school community. Display the
code prominently, and encourage students and staff to refer to it often.
All school policies should reflect this code of ethics. - Ensure that the school’s recognition and reward systems are based
on the Habits of Mind. - Watch for newspaper and magazine cartoons that illustrate one
or more of the Habits of Mind. Display them in the school or classroom,
and discuss them with students and staff. - Develop a school-year calendar designating one Habit of Mind
to be emphasized per month or week. Suggest activities for parents and
teachers to emphasize that habit. - At the conclusion of each faculty or team meeting, place Habits
of Mind “fortunes” in the center of a table. Ask each participant to select
a fortune and read it aloud. Here’s an example: “Try to understand the
other side’s point of view. Try to understand other people’s views even if
you don’t agree with them. Such work means giving them an opportu-
nity to explain their concerns completely so that you can get a clear idea
of what’s bothering them.” - Choose a personal motto or mission statement. Share this mis-
sion statement with others in the school community. Explain why you
chose this motto or mission. - Interview students from several grade levels. Ask the following
question: “What does it take to be successful in this school?” Compare
what they report with the list of Habits of Mind. - Place a sign on the playground that suggests that students remem-
ber to use the Habits of Mind when they are playing with one another. - Place signs in the library or media center supporting use of the
Habits of Mind. - Provide bookmarks that have the Habits of Mind printed on them.
380 Learning and Leading with Habits of Mind