Readings
Click on the E-Reserve tab to the left under Readings to access the articles that are not linked within each citation.
- Costa, A. L., & Kallick, B. (Eds.). (2009a). Habits of Mind across the curriculum: Practical and creative strategies for teachers. Alexandria, VA: ASC.
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Preface, pp. ix–xi (up to “Our Purpose in This Book”)
- Chapter 1, “Habit Is a Cable,” pp. 1-7
In these first pages of your text, Drs. Arthur Costa and Bena Kallick introduce the 16 Habits of Mind and explain their potential power and place in your classroom. As you read, begin familiarizing yourself with the Habits of Mind and consider Drs. Costa and Kallick’s questions on weaving the Habits of Mind into daily curriculum and how you would answer for your students.
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Costa, A. L., & Kallick, B. (2000). Describing 16 Habits of Mind. Retrieved from http://www.habitsofmind.org/sites/default/files/16HOM2.pdf
This article by Drs. Arthur Costa and Bena Kallick elaborates on the introduction of the Habits of Mind in Figure 1 of the text Preface. As you read the description of each Habit of Mind in the article, consider evidence of this habit in your students and yourself, particular habits that students clearly need, and how you might draw on the descriptions, including the inspiring quotes, in presenting and teaching Habits of Mind in your classroom.
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Peterson, C., & Seligman, M. (2004). 24 universal character strengths.
This document features 24 character strengths and strength-associated traits, including related terms and phrases. As you read this list, consider your own character strengths and those you would like to develop further, both for your work as a teacher and other dimensions of your life. Then begin to identify character strengths that you recognize in your students and those they need to develop to best support their academic and social competence. Use the articles and website resources that follow for help in deciding the character strengths to emphasize first with your students.
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Schwartz, B., & Sharpe, K. (2012, February 19). Colleges should teach intellectual virtues. The Chronicle of Higher Education. Retrieved from http://chronicle.com/article/Colleges-Should-Teach/130868/
In this commentary, the authors present the value of teaching specific intellectual virtues—which you will recognize among the list of character strengths—with an emphasis on wisdom. As you read, consider how you draw on wisdom honed by your education and life, and the long-term value for your students in developing wisdom and other character strengths at this early stage in their lives.
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Tough, P. (2011, September 14). What if the secret to success is failure? The New York Times Magazine. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/18/magazine/what-if-the-secret-to-success-is-failure.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
Read up to “Back at Riverdale” and from “At KIPP Infinity Middle School” up to “For Randolph” in this article, which describes how KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program) public charter schools in New York developed a program that emphasizes character strengths, and a similar effort by Riverdale Country School, an exclusive New York City private school. As you read the designated sections, consider the powerful arguments for teaching Habits of Mind and character strengths in the experience of KIPP students, similarities between the KIPP schools and students and your own, and other ideas and insights you gain from the article that will support teaching Habits of Mind and character strengths in your classroom. In particular, consider your thoughts about the “character report card” used in the KIPP schools.
Websites
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Meaning and Happiness.com. (n.d.). List of personal strengths. Retrieved November 27, 2012, from http://www.meaningandhappiness.com/psychology-research/list-of-personal-strengths.html#list-of-personal-strengths
This site provides an explanation of the psychological origins of “personal strengths” and lists 24 strengths. Compare this list to the document “24 Universal Character Strengths” from the reading list, and to the character strengths targeted in the web pages that follow, for help in selecting character strengths that support students’ academic and social competence to emphasize in your classroom.
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KIPP. (n.d.). Character strengths and corresponding behaviors. Retrieved from http://www.kipp.org/our-approach/strengths-and-behaviors
This web page lists seven character strengths that are the focus of KIPP New York schools. Consider each of these character strengths and the examples of exemplary behaviors to target for your students.
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Josephson Institute Center for Youth Ethics. (n.d.b). The six pillars of character. Retrieved November 27, 2012, from http://charactercounts.org/sixpillars.html
This web page identifies the six character strengths that are the foundation of the Character Counts program, developed by the Josephson Institute. Compare these character strengths with those emphasized by KIPP schools, for consensus on character strengths that are vital for students.
