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Management Committee: knowledge by posting issues and ideas on the Habits
A Management committee was formed to oversee of Mind discussion list and working with critical friends
the work of the cluster over the 3-year period. The including James Anderson and Dr Art Costa.
composition of the committee is a Principal Class Officer The goals identified by the Habits of Mind team were:
(PCO) from each school and the Cluster Coordinator.
Their role is to discuss the direction of the cluster work 1. To collaboratively develop a common understanding
based on cluster based data and the needs of learners of each of the Habits of Mind as a team;
and staff.
2. To model the language of the Habits of Mind across
the cluster;
Habits of Mind Team:
Habits of Mind coordinators were appointed in each 3. To collaboratively design classroom resources
school. These coordinators represented their schools including activities which introduce students to Habits
at regular meetings with the Cluster Coordinator. The and deepen understanding of the Habits;
purpose of these meetings was to collaboratively plan, 4. To infuse the Habits of Mind into curriculum planning
coordinate and implement projects. Habits of Mind documents across the cluster;
team members are instrumental in the development
of resources, the organisation and provision of whole 5. To create a whole school approach which sees the
cluster and local school professional development, and Habits integrated throughout all aspects of school life.
liaison with PCO’s and classroom teachers within their To achieve these goals the Habits of Mind team
school. Habits of Mind team members also report to organised a range of whole cluster and individual
the Management committee regarding Habits of Mind school Professional Development Activities. These
activities and the professional development needs of staff. included ‘An introduction to Habits of Mind’ facilitated
They also inform and work with staff, model effective by James Anderson, ‘Leading Schools with Habits
classroom teaching strategies and lead aspects of of Mind in Mind’ facilitated by Art Costa as well as
curriculum planning, delivery and assessment. workshops on ‘Teaching Strategies for Habits of Mind’,
‘Thinking Interdependently’, ‘Taking Responsible Risks’,
School Based Teams: ‘Metacognition’ and ‘Thinking and Communicating with
At the Secondary College multi-discipline and discipline Clarity and Precision’. These workshops were facilitated
writing teams have been initiated. These groups have by Habits of Mind Coordinators from the participating
worked closely with the Habits of Mind Coordinator and cluster schools.
the Cluster Coordinator to develop appropriate resources.
To assure the coordinated implementation of Habits of
Classroom: Mind across the cluster, the 16 Habits were organised
Across the cluster a team teaching model is used to into term foci. The following two year cycle was agreed
promote the Habits of Mind. upon.
Within the Primary School settings Habits of Mind Even Years
Coordinators use this approach to promote awareness Term 1: Thinking Interdependently
and use of the Habits of Mind in classrooms. This occurs
at all levels of the school. Listening with Understanding and Empathy

At the secondary level mentors assist teachers in Term 2: Persisting
implementing Habits of Mind across a range of Striving for Accuracy and Precision
disciplines. They work with teachers in classrooms to
support them in the acquisition of new pedagogies. Term 3: Taking Responsible Risks
Habits of Mind is one of the strategies being implemented Metacognition (thinking about your thinking)
through this process.
Term 4: Managing Impulsivity
Community: Questioning and Posing Problems
Habits of Mind are promoted at parent evenings and
through newsletters to parents, including Principal’s Odd Years
Newsletters.
Term 1: Thinking Flexibly
Habits of Mind Team Implementation Applying Past Knowledge to New Situations
Plan Term 2: Thinking and Communicating with Clarity and
Precision
In 2005 the Cluster Habits of Mind Team with staff
representation from each of the cluster schools was Gathering Data Through All Senses
established. The development of an expert group of Term 3: Creating, Imagining and Innovating
classroom teachers to drive the Habits of Mind was seen
as crucial for the implementation process. The team Finding Humour
worked collaboratively with Victorian University, The Term 4: Remaining open to continuous learning
Australian National Schools Network (ANSN) Habits of
Mind Hub, Victorian Innovation and Excellence clusters, Responding with wonderment and awe
and Independent schools. The team also sought



Australian National Schools Network and Learning Network New Zealand • 15
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