7 Habits Mind Map Click on the picture to see a larger versionMost of us at DE Smith and WA Porter are proficient practitioners of the 7 Habits. We understand what they mean and the implications they have for us personally and professionally. A burning question is, "How effective has our work been with kids?" In order to move forward, we need to be able to measure our effectiveness. We need the support of our parents and community, and people are going to be more inclined to join us if we can clearly show that this work has a profound effect on children. Please share your ideas on how you are measuring the effectiveness of 7 Habits with your students. What would you tell a corporation considering whether or not to spend several thousand dollars on this initiative for your campus? How do you know this is good for kids?
24 comments:
I think the major difference I am noticing with the students is that they are learning to take initiative. They are speaking up for themselves and admitting when they are wrong; then, they are offering ways they can do something the right way. I have also noticed that just as the staff, the kids are working together more than ever to be a team. They are more willing to help someone out, even if they are not getting rewarded for it (prizes, etc). Their energy has really skyrocketed, and they just seem happier over all. We have to be doing something right - it is apparent in their faces and all over the school. The school now has a more welcoming feeling - a sense of ownership by the kids. A lot of people that haven't been here for a while have really noticed how our atmosphere has changed. I am looking foward to this continuing over the years as it just builds up more and more!
I would tell a potential corporate sponsor to compare the seven habits' principles to their respective mission statement and/or vision for their company. I believe that any company that would consider sponsoring such an effort will find that we are already akin in goal and philosophy.
Students at David E. Smith are collectively the best-behaved that I have ever encountered in any capacity, whether volunteer or vocation. When we confer with parents, I hear them echoing many of the sentiments that we express and are trying to impart. Some of them may have different methodology from what we exercise with our own children, but the underlying intent is the same. Many of us probably grew up with the seven habits, which is why the principles are so familiar.
The major challenges (for me) lie in sticking to these principles when the pressure is on, and forgiving myself when I fall short of what I know I stand for. In a nutshell, I have to be perfectly OK with not being perfect and ask for some understanding and forgiveness from others as situations require; and also be prepared to extend the same courtesies (especially to my students who have had even less time to achieve perfection).
For me, the easiest place to see growth and improvement is “Synergize.”
The students come up to me all the time talking about Synergy and how they synergized with their classmates. This is a very important component to a strong team like a business or a classroom. I personally would use this as a “selling point.” In any aspect of education or business, true synergy brings forth better results. This is a very easily observed behavior and very easily checked through the work that gets done.
When I see true synergy in my classroom, I know we are doing a great thing.
I think the fact that the 7 Habits gives us all a common denominator and a unified front makes all the difference. The students know what is expected of them at all grades which is a very comforting feeling all people need. They know the teachers and staff are committed to the habits and in turn to them. When you have a firm foundation it is a selling point for school and business alike.
Jennifer Lass
I think one of the biggest selling points came when the substitute teacher in our building said she would feel good about bringing her kids to our school. Student transfer requests should also be a big selling point to a corporate sponsor, too.
At the beginning of the year Scott gave us the 7 Habits tags. I had given out several over the course of the year but not everyone had recevied one. Well right before I left, I gave out a few more. I gave one to my most challenging student for putting first things first. He was so shocked, grinning from ear to ear.
I thought he would of thrown it in his backpack and forgot about it, but he was trying to put it on his key chain so everyone could see it.
Just when we think they don't care about the 7 Habits, something like this happens and reinforces what we are working towards.
Great comments. I think so far we have many examples of qualitative data. So how do we quantify the data for measuring the effectiveness of the 7 Habits? Darla gave one example: student transfer requests has increased. Are there other ways to measure the effectiveness?
Oops. That was me who just posted, not my wife :)
Ryan
I too believe D E Smith has become “a kinder and gentler “school. - quote, George H. W. Bush. Our children have found that they are responsible for their own behavior which in turn teaches mediation and leadership.
Our faculty has joined hands to guide and lead our students to make better choices. With DES faculty and staff on the same heading, we have been able to develop and instill the need for better study and work habits. Again the students have the opportunity to set their goals, follow them, or own up responsibility.
Yes, it has changed our students, faculty and hopefully parents. As we continue with “The 7 Habits,” this year and the next I feel encouraged that we are doing the best we can do for our students.
I agree with Mary O. I also believe DES students are growing partly because of the 7 habits, but also because our staff is becoming more synergized. The overall effect is being seen by our students and they are picking up the example set by our faculty.
We are all pieces of a puzzle and without each other, (staff and sudents), the puzzle would be missing important valuable pieces.
I also feel that our school has become a more inviting safe place. You can see that the kids are more open to learning because everyone is on the same side. I would agree that synergy has been a big positive change that I have seen among the students and teachers. I like what Kim said about the students taking more responsibility for their actions. That is so true and helps when dealing with daily situations in the classroom.
Juli Stanford
I have been teaching at DES for six years now!(Wow!!) So, I have seen different Principals, APs and staff turn over! That being said, change has occurred! Each new personality changes the make up of what we do each day. But, nothing has been as noticable as the last few years and the development of the 7 Habits. I have watched it grow, blossom and seen the enjoyment when we have all shared its fruit! I dont measure this by data or documentation necessarily but by the smiles on the faces of everyone, the kind words of encouragement from the community and the improved behavior of the students and staff!
This is GOOD STUFF! ;)
During Texas Public School Week the Mayor of Haltom City and the City Manager toured our building and had lunch with six of our 5th grade students. It was so impressive to hear our children expressing themselves with all of the 7 Habits traits! You could tell they live and breathe the 7 Habits and they were proud to show the bulletin boards, the class work and the garden to our guests that exemplify all that we believe. Our students seem to be more polite, understanding and accepting of others since they have been learning and practicing the 7 Habits Traits! Mayor Bill Lanford and City Mananager Tom Muer appeared to be quite impressed with our students and the great things going on at DES!!
Paula Keller ;)
Our students, Kindergartners, are doing a great job with learning the 7 Habits. I love it because I don't have to explain to a misbehaving student, another student will explain to them why they need to change their behavior. The language, the words, are being taught to all. The ESL learners are not at any disadvantage. The "playing field" is equal. Kim, you got it right by saying that they are happier.
I think measuring how the Seven Habits impact our students is difficult. I am not sure how to do that with youngsters. One way may be to count how many Seven Habits tags have been given out. Another is to gather anecdotal evidence from teachers. If we hear kids using Seven Habits language without being prompted, then perhaps we can assume they truly value the Seven Habits concepts. However, coming up with quantitative measurements is difficult. First we have to gather that data, then we have to prove it changed because of Seven Habits and not becuase of something else in the environment. Perhaps we can circle back and check on the original goals for using the Seven Habits. What were they, and have we met them?
I agree that the overall feeling when you walk into DES is one of happiness and most of the time, there is a sense of calm and collectiveness.
I think that if you were wanting to show a corporate sponsor how the 7 Habits are working, you should just ask the kids to talk about the habits and what they think about them. We have excellent examples of students living the 7 Habits and kids in all grades could pull on the emotions of any adult (especially parents out there) whether they be in a corporate setting or not.
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