I mean what I say and I say what I mean.
I am so excited to share with you The Habits of Learning curriculum! I just went through and made some small updates and edits! (7/1/2021) Habits of Learning week one is focused on RESPONSIBILITY. Get ready for a deep dive into all things responsible!
This curriculum has two parts: direct, scripted lessons of ten Habits of Learning to be used in the home or classroom and a progress monitoring gird of these ten habits.
The lessons are “open ‘n’ go” with little preparation and few materials. They are designed for ease of use with high efficacy in implementation. The lessons can be taught over a ten-week period, but are designed to be repeated as often as needed. A nondenominational, Christian view is intertwined throughout the lessons. All scripture references are taken from the King James Version of the Bible. Lessons and activities are designed to be used in a multi-age classroom setting but can also be done one-on-one.
Preparation
Before you start your first lesson, I would encourage you to complete the progress monitoring grid I talked about in this post. If you have not completed the grid, hop over to that post, print one out for each child, and fill it out. It will only take you five minutes!
| Join our community! After you complete your grid, snap a picture and post it to Instagram! Use the hashtag #habitsoflearning and tag @aoneroomshoolhouse. Follow The Schoolhouse and our hashtag to join other Habits of Learning users! |
After your grid is completed, you are ready to begin! Just follow these steps below:
- Download the lesson plan (link below), print it if desired. Just updated and edited! 7/2/2021
- Download and print the lesson resources (link below).
- Cut out the pictures and word strips (needed for day one and three).
- Bookmark this blog post that includes live links to use for each lesson containing a video.
- If desired gather the following: Horton Hatches the Egg and a Bible. (You can use the video links if you don’t have these books.)
- Have general art supplies on hand for day five. (paper, crayons, markers, etc).
- It will be nice to have a place to post the work you do during this study. Just a special area that will serve as a reminder during the week. You might consider a bulletin board, wall, or fridge. Nothing special, just a place.
And that’s it! You are ready to go!
General Instructions
The Habits of Learning lessons are meant to be taught over a five day period. Lessons are scripted and require little preparation time. Notes to you, the teacher, are given in dark blue. The script is written in black. Before each lesson gather or print any materials listed as desired. Then, simply read the lesson aloud and follow the blue instructions.
If you make something during a lesson, post it in a prominent place. Throughout the day, refer to it as a reminder of your learning.
After a habit has been taught, be intentional about praising each child when you see them demonstrating the habit. Frequent, specific, immediate praise is the best way to increase positive behavior.
Foundations
This program of personal development is based on the most current research in behavior intervention, historical wisdom of great educators, and years of practical experience in both the educational and therapeutic settings of the author.
Specifically, Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS) heavily influenced this work as it provides a process to understand and develop positive behavior in students that is based on both values and empirical research.
Both the model of classical education and the work of Charlotte Mason are melded together when considering teaching methods and behavioral development.
Finally, the author’s years of professional experience as a school physiologist, education director, and special education teacher honed this curriculum.
Special Elements
During the Habits of Learning lesson, you will be using special teaching elements to teach each habit. These elements have been carefully selected as some of the best teaching tools to reinforce these skills.
During the responsibility lessons, you will use elements of bibliotherapy and role-play. Charlotte Mason inspired activities are intertwined in all of the practice elements.
Bibliotherapy
During the Habits of Learning lessons, you are not doing therapy, you are teaching prosocial skills needed to become an independent lifelong learner.
Bibliotherapy is defined as “sharing books or stories with the intent of helping an individual gain insight into personal problems” (Health, Sheen, Leavy, Young & Money, 2005, p. 564)
During day two, a literature connection is made to support student learning of responsibility. After reading “Horton Hatches the Egg” it is natural to discuss the book. This makes room for social skills teaching in the natural setting of a shared reading experience.
As a bonus to the reinforcement of social skills, you will also enjoy all the benefits of sharing high-quality literature together as a family or classroom.
Role-Play
Why is role-playing used to teach social skills? In role-play, students get to practice precise social skills in a nonthreatening environment. It allows students to consider different perspectives, solve social problems, and consider new ideas.
Here are a few tips to consider when using role-play to teach a social skill:
- Always play out the positive side of the skill.
- After the role-play, provide feedback on how the situation was portrayed.
- Keep reversing the roles of the participants.
- Encourage the use of the Habits of Learning mantra when acting out the skill.
- Stress the process, not the results. This is not Broadway, just practice the skill in a fun and loving way.
When students role-play, they are able to immediately apply the skills they are learning to a real-world context. This gives each student practice before dealing with the situation in the real world. Some times it is hard to get students to truly engage in a role-play. If this is the case, consider offering a reward for a job well done.
Invitation
Take pictures and videos of your Habits of Learning lessons. Post these on Facebook or Instagram. Use the hashtag #habitsoflearning and tag @aoneroomshoolhouse. Follow the schoolhouse and our hashtag to join other Habits of Learning users!
Comment below if you will join us!
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