“For many schools and educators, this approach [using the seven habits] will represent a significant paradigm shift. The approach A. B. Combs has undertaken is a ‘ubiquitous’ approach. “Ubiquitous” means that it is built into everything the school does…” The Leader in Me.
At W. A. Porter, we are working through the shift in thinking and how can we make the seven habits a part of everything we do. During the recent staff development, we were able to work on aspects of implementing the seven habits on our campus and making it a part of our campus culture. To begin our work, we did a consensogram about how often we implement the seven habits in daily lessons. Do we consciously think about how we can incorporate the seven habits in lessons while lesson planning? We also completed an affinity diagram on ways to help implement the seven habits in daily lessons. Because of our work with David E. Smith, we also re-examined our campus-wide discipline system and made some changes to reinforce the positive side of the seven habits. A group of staff members worked on the curriculum for the first week of school listing additional resources available for all to use. A third group worked on the school leadership roles for next year. We have narrowed our school leadership roles to twelve. It is our plan to roll out the school-wide leadership roles process in May, so we are ready to go when we return in August of 2010. Each of these groups will continue to work on their area of implementing the seven habits throughout the spring. The last thing Porter discussed as a campus was having staff leadership groups as a model for our students. Some example of staff leadership groups are The Birthday group, The Celebration group, The Daily Five group, The Prayer group, The Data group, etc. The idea is that a staff member could sign up for any group(s) in which they have a strength. Then the group would work together to perform their role on campus. This is a completely different way of thinking about how we form groups to do the work on campus.
Some things to think about:
Do you consciously think about how to incorporate the seven habits when doing lesson plans? If not, what would help you implement the seven habits in daily lessons?
How do you feel about using the first week of school to introduce each of the seven habits instead of a major emphasis on the academics?
What input do you have on staff leadership roles?
Respectfully submitted by Jaimie Smith.
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38 comments:
I don't always consciously plan my lessons with the Seven Habits in mind. I find that as I am teaching my students will say, "that is a win-win situation" or "they were puttting first things first" etc. There are times that as I am teaching I discover that the lesson is perfect in reinforcing the Seven Habits. Someone during our staff development mentioned using sticky notes and leaving them in the books we use for the different lessons labeled with the "habit" being taught. What a great idea!
Using the first week of school to introduce or reintroduce the Seven Habits is a great. It helps us all get focused on the goal we have for our school.
As far as staff leadership roles? How about one to sharpen the saw? Keeping fit through walking.
I feel the best way for the students to understand and relate the 7 habits is for the beginning of the year lessons to be focused around those habits. Especially for first graders, the time put into the lessons and the time to truly discuss and implement engaging lessons around them needs to be done early so that the behaviors and traits of leadership can be seen as the years focus. Goals can be set as well as part of the mission statements being made. I agree with Lynnette, not all of the lessons are designed with the 7 habits in mind, but it never fails that the daily literature and lessons always have some habit exhibited. It's exciting to hear the kids be the ones to pick up on a habit that is used or not used in a story.
I also like staff leadership roles. I would like to be a part of sharpening the saw!
Jaimie, I LOVE the staff leadership roles. I am not a cutesy person, nor do foo foo ideas roll out of my brain. All of this is to say that I feel I am letting my teammates down and not giving the staff the birthday recognition they deserve when it's my team's turn to be on the Sunshine Committee. So, I am all on board with the design to have us encourage, help, meet needs within the different committees you have in the teachers' lounge. Some of us are better at Sonic Fairy-ing than we are at coming up with a cute holiday decor to go with the luncheon. Sonic--here I come! Regarding the 7 Habits and planning, I would have to say that I was more deliberate in planning the habits into lessons at the beginning of the year. But now, kind of like Jill and Lynnette have mentioned, the teachable moments pop up every single day. And, in many cases, I am not the one who points out that a situation is win-win or beginning with the end in mind. It's the kids in the room. I think beginning the year the way we did was a fantastic way of introducing all of us to how to be and how to think and how to act. By the way, I heard the Olympic snowboarding team referred to as a synergistic group because of how they are all behind each other, whether they personally win or not. I thought of our school and our staff and our classrooms as becoming synergistic--we all aren't out for ourselves all the time. We see the value in working as a team. It's a thrill to think of where I work as a synergistic group.
I found the staff development this past Monday to be a stimulating experience and it filled me with a sense of purpose.
The campus wide approach to implementing the Seven Habits is something that will take time to finetune. A shifting of paradigms takes patience for all involved. The fact that the staff will choose the leadership area they are most comfortable with will undoubtedly mean that a higher quality of work will be produced. I personally dreaded being on the Sunshine Committee because I am not an arts/crafts type person. I have a hard time remembering my wedding anniversary or my husband's birthday.
I say full speed ahead with the seven habits.
I love working at a school that incorporates the 7 habits. At first I thought this was a program only for teachers, students, and classroom instruction time. I was wrong! I have found that I think about starting with the end in mind for things like running Saturday errands more efficiently. Of course, I am always sharpening the saw whenever I am on the treadmill. These seven habits have spilled over into my personal life and have made it more orderly and sane. This program is not only for teachers and students, but for office workers, parents, and even grandkids!
As Susie said, I have found some of the habits spilling over into my own life. This semester there have been a large number of speech referrals that seemed to come all at once. When I find a few free moments in the day, it can seem overwhelming because there are so many things to take care of. "First things first" is just a three-word phrase, but when I look at it that way, the priority tasks usually become very clear.
I also like the idea of using our strengths in choosing the campus leadership roles.
I have preached Harry Wong's First Days of School for years. I believe that taking the first several days of school to establish relationships, clarify expectations, and establish routines are critical to a successful school year. I see tremendous value in introducing all 7 Habits the first days of school and then going deeper with each one as the year progresses or when teachable moments present themselves. WA Porter did a good job with that this year.
I must admit that I do not consciously think about how to incorporate the seven habits when doing my lesson plans. However, the habits seem to show up anyway. I think that is a result of the first week of school when we immersed the students in the habits. We have reread The Seven Habits of Happy Kids several times this year and that keeps it fresh on the their minds. As a result, the habits spill out even though they are not in the plans. Isn't that how we want it? We want them to transfer those habits into their daily lives and not just when the teacher brings it up. I loved how we began the school and look forward to next year when it will be even better. As far as the staff leadership roles are concerned, it makes such great sense. We can use our strengths to help the school. With everyone doing a role that fits them, we will have more productive leaders and certainly happy ones!
Like Nancy, there are times when I very overwhelmed just taking care of the paper work and that is when I rely on, “First things first.” This year that really has meant a lot to me here at school and at home. I will admit that I have not planned with the 7 habits in mind but constantly find the perfect opportunity to bring them into the lesson. I find myself feeling so proud of the students when they are the first to bring up one of the habits to me. I think as a faculty we must use the first week of each year to reinforce and bring the habits to our students in a big way. We are only going to get better and better at this and our lessons for the first week will be more enriched each year. Hopefully Birdville will adopt the 7 habits for all our children. We owe our children an easy way to deal with “Life”, a blueprint.
I look forward to hearing Jaimie highlight different Olympic athletes and how the 7 Habits have helped them achieve their goals. This is so timely and something that the children can easily identify with - more real life examples. I am also very excited about using the first week of school to introduce each of the 7 Habits as well as practicing procedures with our students. It will be easy to make little reminders as the year goes on.
Our staff development on Monday was great - I enjoyed working on the committee to choose the student leadership positions and know that our children will love having the opportunity to lead in various ways next year. I am glad we made the decision to have that in place by the spring and ready to go in the fall.
I felt our recent morning of work on Seven Habits planning for next year was very productive. All of the committees were actively engaged in the work at hand. Though I was busy with the work of my group, I heard snippets of discussion and conversation all around me throughout the morning...all focused on sharing ideas, brainstorming suggestions, and solving identified problems. The morning flew by and it was lunch time before we knew it! Our group got a good start, but I know there is still more to do. I appreciate Jamie's committment to using staff meetings this spring to continue and complete the process. This should make for a very smooth start to the next school year. Look at how much more we will be able to implement in just our second year!
I am a big fan of using the first week of school to teach the habits and practice procedures and routines. It makes for much smoother days in the weeks and months that follow. My class also spent lots of time that first week on some really fun team-building activities I found on the internet. They loved working together to solve problems and accomplish tasks. They were sad when the academic work began and we didn't go to the upper gym every day to work on our synergy!
I love the use of leadership roles for students in the classroom and across the campus. Applying that same idea to staff roles is a great idea
Tracy Clegg
Thank you Porter for sharing your ideas on the blog! I think planning to use the first week of school to focus on the 7 Habits is a wonderful plan. I find in my class there are times when it is beneficial to step back from academics for a day and 'refocus' on the 7 Habits and our goals. It seems to take less time than spending days on end trying to pull everyone together. The leadership committees plan is great as well. I like that each person can choose an area of their strength (or maybe an area they would like to grow in)to be a part of. We are looking forward to our staff development day with Porter to share even more thoughts and ideas!
I think it's inspiring to hear that your campus is excited about your current work and the work you plan on doing next school year. All the plans and ideas you accomplish over time will amaze you. The expectations you are setting for your students will encourage them to become well rounded students who are going to have a proactive future they create and it's all because of the vision you are setting into motion. Beginning the school year with a focus on the 7 habits will set the pathway for your school year. I can't wait to hear about the staff leadership groups and how the students positively change your campus culture.
Monica Alsaker
I agree with what so many others have already said. The seven habits pop-up everywhere. The kids find them all of the time. I have loved watching the kids take ownership of the habits and their classroom leadership roles. I have also seen these habits spill over into my home life. I have taught them to my nieces and anyone else who will listen. I like the idea of teachers having leadership groups. It is a way of leading our children by example. I think it is important to focus on the habits during that first week of school. That first week set such a strong foundation this year. I feel so blessed to work at Porter. This is an exciting time.
I feel like our in-service on Monday was very "pro active". We are planning ahead for next year with a vision to carry out the 7 habits at a more in depth level. I like the 12 leadership jobs we came up with for the students and am looking forward to the staff leadership rolls we will be taking on. The students will see us setting an example as we carry out the roles that best suit us.
I am in the same boat as several teachers, in that as the year progresses I have not planned specific lessons with the 7 habits in mind. As behaviors or lessons lend themselves, the students recognize the habits taking place and are quick to point them out. It was very beneficial to begin the year with a week dedicated to introducing the 7 habits. I believe next year will be even better during that first week because the students and staff are already thinking with the habits in mind, we will be able to expand our thinking and applications of the habits.
It is amazing to me that after I read the book and have been in a school community who lives by the 7 habits, I am very aware of the language being spoken in many places I encounter. The news media frequently mentions people who are being "pro active". My pastor's sermon on Sunday was entitled "Putting first things first." You know you are starting to "get it" when you think about the 7 habits away from school in your own personal life. Thank you Jaimie for leading us in this direction!
Yes, yes, yes start the school year with the 7 habits. It will be exciting to start next year with so many of the kids already familiar with the habits. My hope is that our focus on the 7 habits will change not only our school for the better, but also our community.
I, too, like the idea of forming committees based on strengths & interests. People work harder & more effectively when they are doing things they love.
I also don't usually plan specific lessons around the 7 habits, but they still seem to come up everywhere! I've found that for my Kindergarteners specifically, they've really caught on the most to being proactive, thinking win-win, and synergizing.
I really like the idea of using the first week of school to introduce the 7 habits. I think that doing that this year really helped the kids grasp the ideas and I think it's a big part of why the habits seem to be second nature to them already.
Like Linda, I've also started noticing the 7 habits everywhere. I hear commercials almost every day using the 7 habits language. I guess it's always been there, but it really sticks out to me now!
I love the idea of starting the year off with a heavy focus on the 7 habits! What a great way to begin with the end in mind and establish those relationships and expectations.
I find that I don't need to conscientiously plan to incorporate the 7 habits because it's such a pervasive aspect my class. Like Lynette mentioned, some of our best 7 habit lessons occur spontaneously. Yesterday my class helped me rearrange our room (we're getting a new "chill room") and it was such a great opportunity to recognize the synergy that was created when we were all working toward a common goal. It was such 7 habits teachable moment that the kids could really relate to.
I also love the idea of interest groups based on strengths. What a great way for colleagues to sharpen the saw and synergize.
I know fourth grade benefited greatly from starting the year with a full week totally focused on the 7 habits. I an so thankful we plan to continue this. It starts our year off so positively. It helps our students see how important the 7 habits are to our daily lives. It truly puts first things first. By emphasizing the habits during that week, it helps the students "find" them in every aspect of our learning day. The students are really better at "finding" and discussing the habits than I am. I am so thankful to be on a campus that has put the 7 habits in place. Our work day on Monday, was so productive and a great example of putting first things first and synergizing.
It looks like most of the teachers that have posted from David E. agree that we should start off next year with all of the 7 Habits. I am completely on board with this, it seems that the year is almost over, and I am still trying to get the last 2 habits started.
I think that with the 3 day summer training we will be ready to dive in the first week and get the entire school set up for a successful year.
I also really like the idea of the staff leadership roles...I think by getting to choose the committee that you would like to participate in, the work will be more meaningful and the outcome will be much better.
Michelle Hughes
The synergy between DES and Porter is inspiring! I read the blogs and find myself thinking of how we can use Porter's ideas such as the committees based on stengths and weaknesses! I can't wait to visit with some of you on April 17th and piggyback on your ideas to implement at DES! It is also heartwarming to see that some of our ideas have inspired Porter. Looks like a Win-Win!
Paula Keller
I think it is important to "practice what we preach" with our students. So, we definitely need to "put first things first" and begin our school year by focusing on the 7 habits. It doesn't matter how well a child (or adult for that matter!) can read, write, solve math problems, or do any other academic skills if they don't know how to be responsible or how to work well with others! I am proud of the fact that I have the opportunity to work at a school (and have a child at a school) that is proactively moving back towards the "whole-child" philosophy of educating a child in all of their domains, not just the cognitive domain.
Like most others who have posted, I am not deliberately planning too many of my lessons with the 7 Habits in mind, but I am finding that my students are doing an excellent job of finding those habits that appear during the lessons and pointing them out. I think it is exciting that they are independently able to find the habits during our lessons together because that lets me know that they are really "getting" it and understanding what the 7 Habits are about!
I love the idea of all starting the year off with the same plan. This is great for the students to have consistency throughout the school. It also makes it easier on me to incorporate this in my lessons, since I get to see all students on campus. I must admit that since I am always trying to add new ideas and fun things to my lesson plans, I don't always remember to add in the Seven Habits. I hope that through working with each other and attending the summer session that this will come naturally to me in the future.
Looking forward to our next meeting together!
I love the idea of taking the first week to daily teach my students about the 7 habits. It is a wonderful way for us to get to know each other and set the tone for the year. It also helps us to set goals and create a class mission. The life lessons that we can teach through the 7 habits will last a lifetime for our students. What an excellent way to start the year!
I love the idea of staff leadership roles. It is great for us to work as a team based on our strengths. As a new staff member to Porter this year it will provide me an opportunity to feel more like a team player and feel like I have a place to "fit in" to building up the team. I can't wait for these roles to begin!
Heather Krier
I thought that beginning the year with the seven habits was very positive. In 5th grade I wonder if we need the entire first week with our students being a little older and familiar with them. Perhaps using the first 3-4 days to introduce the habits, ending the week with academics that would have a major emphasis on the seven habits. We would want our students to begin 5th grade,with the end in mind being successful entry into Smithfield Middle School. Of course, in any grade the goal is to move on to the next, but moving to the next campus is a big step.
I have not actually written the seven habits into lessons, but use the language daily. It's so natural and easy. The students know just what you're talking about. Using the language of continuous improvement in combination with the habits brings a positive message.
The staff leadership roles are a great idea. Instead of thinking, "I have to plan a party" (which is not my strength), I will say "I get to ...(something mathematical please)". As busy as it gets during the year, it's good to think that you can contribute in a way that uses your strengths.
I think it would be interesting to survey our students/parents at the end of this year for their opinion of how the seven habits impacted their school experience.
I don't consciously find myself thinking about how to incorporate the habits while lesson planning, but I have found that the seven habits naturally work themselves daily into our lessons and discussions. As Cindy stated, the teachable moments pop up every day, and many times it is my students who point them out. I firmly believe this is due to using the first week of school to introduce the habits. This set the frame of mind that we've used all year. I feel that we are all committed to finding those teachable moments that we can use to reinforce the habits on a daily basis.
I also think that the staff leadership roles will help strengthen our committment to the seven habits. Just as our students have identified their own strengths in the classroom, we can each use ours to positively impact each other.
I think taking the first week of school to learn the seven habits seemed to work very well when we did it at the beginning of this year and we should continuue to do that. As an interpreter in different classrooms I see how the seven habits are being used in lesson plans. It is a good way to get the students to think about what is going on and play a role in the lesson.
I think it would be great to sign up for different staff leadership roles. We would be able to be involved in something that we felt we had a strength for.
Ginger Griffin
I loved focusing on the 7 Habits and routines on the first week of school. I felt like it set the tone for the whole year. I would like to see that continue.
I also like the idea of staff leadership roles. Being on the Sunshine Committee this year clearly showed me some areas of strength and weakness for myself. I am terrible at remembering birthdays, but a faithful pray-er. Knowing I can sign up for areas where I am best suited makes me want to do the happy dance. I don't even mind signing up for multiple roles because I know that they will be a good fit for me.
I incorporate the 7 habits throughout the day, but I have to admit that I don't always start my lesson plans with that in mind. I am going to do a better job planning that out, especailly having the bank of books and plans that the team is working on.
Angela LeRoy
I really loved the first week of school this year. It was overwhelming being a first year teacher and I felt like doing the habits was a fun way to start the year and have the time to get to know my class. While I do not always think of habits to highlight in my lessons, I find that it always creeps in anyway. The students are so great about pointing them out. I have noticed also that my general vocabulary is just more habit focused. Next year I want to work on more intentional planning of the habits in my lessons.
I loved the discussion on the announcements with the olympic athletes, the kids really responded to it. I am looking forward to doing the 7 habits again next year and I already have lots of ideas about how to better incorporate them into my daily curriculum. I think I am just in search of more great ideas for the 7 habits for next year.
I like the thought of having staff leadership roles. I think that we all have different strengths and we need to find ways to use them to the best potential possible. I look forward to becoming involved in a new way next year.
Katy Gott
The seeds have been planted and are blooming at Porter! For example,recently during PE games I saw the team members cheering fellow participants- also encouraging with positive comments when a "shot" is missed.
I've overheard words of kindness and genuine caring between the students- when it would have just as easy to remain unattached. We are teaching humanness in it's best form.
Babs Leonard
I do try to think about how I can incoporate the 7 Habits into my lesson plans. Not only do I buy into the philosophy, but I think it is easy for me to do that because of the grade level and subjects that I teach. (5th grade social studies and reading) I want my cherubs to see that the people who have made a difference in history have used the 7 Habits. Historical figures may not have consciously made a decision to "think win-win" but their actions and the legacy they left may lead us to infer that they did do that. The opposite is also true. We can look at historical events and figures and discuss what might have occurred if a particular habit had been employed.
This not only gives students an opportunity to think about the 7 Habits in real world terms, but to think about the lasting postive consequences they can have. Some kids are seeing that connection in their own lives. Hooray!
I do think it is important for us to start the school year off discussing and emphasizing the 7 Habits. It is truly "beginning with the end in mind". I want my cherubs to be successful outside of the four walls of my classroom and beyond their time in fifth grade. These are life skills that will enable them to be successful in any avenue of life.
I appreciate having to time to collaborate with each other and being able to reflect and work through how we can use the 7 Habits to make our students flourish.
Michelle James
Every year, I realize how lucky that I have been to be raised by my parents. The 7 habits were ubiquitous at home. They were modelled and present in everything that my parents did. Of course, we didn't call them the 7 Habits but now I have a name for their choices that I can pass on to my students. These students who may not have modelling at home due to lack of time and/or experience. Therefore, I feel that it is important to identify and model these habits at the start of the year and throughout. Our class does identify the habits in each other's behavior, as well as character's when reading. However, I do think I should be proactive and make a more effort by placing it in my plans. Or like Julie suggested, mark examples with a post-it for discussion later. modelled the 7 habits
You're right, Paula, the Synergy is overwhelming! I am totally inspired by Mrs. Smith's article. I love the professional learning you just outlined--the feedback you got from your campus and the breaking up into specific groups. Wouldn't it be awesome to look at our Gallup Strengths and see how they can also be used to break up a campus into Leadership Teams that best fit our Strengths as well as enhance a 7 Habit! I cannot wait for DES's next leadership meeting or for April 17 or for our campuses to attend the training this summer. I find great value and great purpose in this work.
It has been so interesting to see how the different teachers incorporate the 7 Habits and leadership roles. I love seeing the kids point out which habit it is when another child exhibits a good habit. Or, when a child doesn't exhibit the right attitude or behavior the other kids know how to politely point out the incorrect behavior. Even the 1st graders are very aware of how nice the class room is when everyone is using good habits.
I think the new idea for the staff leadership roles is great also. It focuses on our strengths and not just a job to get done.
Cynthia McGee, Interpreter
I do not consciously plan for the 7 habits when I am writing my lesson plans but I do find many opportunities to discuss them throughout the day. With this first year almost under our belts I think next year I will plan for the habits more when I write my lesson plans especially to incorporate them in all content areas. I have already begun looking through my literature for another activity and will begin highlighting habits to ensure they are noted for all books that I read.
I loved the staff development opportunity we were given and it was nice to collaborate with other grade levels to gain insight from their perspective. I think with our planning this spring we will begin next year with more knowledge than we did this year and that can only lead to greater things for our campus. I do think we need to begin the first week reviewing the habits and as Heather said it provides a great opportunity for teachers and students to get to know each other.
The staff leadership roles are an awesome idea. We do all have different strengths and if you can contribute using your these I think it will be more enjoyable for everyone.
Julie Herring
I also really believe this past inservice was fantastic! I enjoyed working on the group that worked with the school-wide leadership roles!I think we have a great foundation to build on. Next year we should be able to launch an incedible school leadership program. I think the kids will find this to be challenging and rewarding as they take responsibility in their role.
I love the idea of focusing on the 7 Habits the first week of school.. I think it gives the whole school a uninity that lets everyone know that we are all on the same page and we still believe in this!!!! K Harrington
Jaimie, I loved our morning together during our last staff developement. We accomplished so much! I was on the committee to develope a new, more positive discipline folder for communication between specials and classroom teachers, using the 7 habits. It was amazing to see the results of all three of our committees! The 7 habits really had an impact on them! I love the idea of having student leaders, as well as staff leaders. I am a "work in the background" kind of girl and I believe that even with that personality,I can find a job that I can do well. And, YES, to devoting the first week of school next year to the 7 habits! ---Susan Anderson
I like the idea of spending the 1st week on the 7 Habits. What a great way to start a new school year. I know that I have not been good about getting the 7 Habits into my lessons like I wish I could have. Teaching a self-contained classroom I know I get more involved with what each child needs educationally. This meant the 7 Habits haven't gotten the attention that I would have liked to have done. Being able to have the 1st week to introduce and reteach the 7 Habits may make it easier to use them throughout the year.
I also like the idea of Staff Leadership. What a great way to share your strenghts that may be overlooked otherwise.
I am looking forward to further training on the 7 Habits.
Rhonda James
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