De-escalation with Habits of Mind

Many situations in life can be overwhelming and overstimulate your brain. When this occurs it is a sign that your brain needs a rest. This video will help you learn more about getting from your downstairs brain to your upstairs brain through the use of five Habits of Mind. And, giving your body and […]
Leading With Habits of Mind in Mind: Positive Thoughts During Unprecedented Times

By Art Costa and Bena Kallick While we can all agree that the Habits of Mind pervade all subject areas and can be infused throughout most of all the activities in learning, we may never have thought of putting them to the test of being challenged during this COVID-19 crisis. Yet, the Habits of […]
Leaning on Habits of Mind in Times of Fear and Uncertainty

By Dr. Nick Bruski “The Easter Bunny came! He took a responsible risk!” (heard from a 3rd grade student) The Institute for the Habits of Mind has a vision, “To create a more thoughtful, cooperative, compassionate generation of people who skillfully work to resolve social, environmental, economic and political problems.” Just over two years […]
Stepping to the Upstairs Brain with Habits of Mind

So often we find students in an over-stimulated state of mind. Some of the most telltale signs and symptoms show up via inappropriate behaviors, outbursts, negative comments, and anxiety-ridden stares and actions – such as fidgety body movements, leg shaking, and clenching of fists. These visuals should raise concern and worry, putting educators in […]
The 9 Habits of Mind for Powerful Writing

For many individuals the ability to select a topic, conjure up ideas, and then write about it is a tough process. Even more arduous is the action of physically building focused behaviors to continue writing with reader appeal in mind. It takes persistence, focus, pacing, planning, questioning yourself, developing your senses, and thinking outside the […]
Building a “Noticing Notebook”

By Scott Wright Keeping a notebook is the single best way I know to capture and develop the habit of responding to the wonderment and awe of everyday, seeming ordinary, life. It encourages you to pay attention to your world, both your internal world and the external world. A notebook can work as a […]
Responding with Wonderment and Awe

By Arthur L. Costa and Bena Kallick “Wonder is what sets us apart from other life forms. No other species wonders about the meaning of existence or the complexity of the universe or themselves.” Herbert W. Boyer On July 14, 2015, the New Horizons spacecraft zoomed within 7800 miles of Pluto snapping epic close […]
Leading Personalizing Learning: ASCD CEL 2016 Reflection

By Allison Zmuda Bena Kallick and I presented to a few hundred educators on leading personalized learning with Habits of Mind (HOM). As we canvased the room to find out who was there, I was thrilled to see a group of educators from Newtown, Conn. where I started my teaching career. The opportunities I […]