In order to be successful in this course, you will need to work on acquiring the following HABITS OF MIND - skills that we will work on all year long.

• PERSISTING: I consistently stick to a task and am persistent. I am focused. I strive to reach my goal.
• MANAGING IMPULSIVITY: I think before I act. I form a vision of the product, plan of action, or goal. I always consider consequences and alternatives. I remain calm, thoughtful, and deliberate.
• LISTENING TO OTHERS WITH UNDERSTANDING AND EMPATHY: I spend a large amount of time listening. I can accurately paraphrase another person’s idea. I can detect emotional states in oral and body language. I understand diverse perspectives.
• THINKING FLEXIBLY: I can change my mind, especially when I get additional information. I create and seek novel approaches to problems. I can generate alternatives and consider options because I can look at ideas in another way.
• METACOGNITION: I have the ability to understand what I do know and what I don’t know. I form mental questions as I search for information and meaning. I am able to reflect upon and evaluate my thoughts and feelings. I am aware of my own actions and how my actions affect others.
• STRIVING FOR ACCURACY: I strive for excellence in everything I do without being a perfectionist. I am focused on accomplishing a task. I like producing exceptional work and being proud of my work. I rework tasks to improve the final results. I always try my best and set high standards.
• QUESTIONING AND PROBLEM POSING: I enjoy finding problems to solve. I ask myself questions to fill in the gaps between what I know and don’t know. I make connections and can see relationships. I like to pose high-level questions and hypothetical problems to solve. I have a questioning attitude. I can figure out what data is missing and create strategies to produce answers to problems.
• APPLYING PAST KNOWLEDGE TO NEW SITUATIONS: I learn from previous experiences. I call upon my store of knowledge to solve new challenges. I can abstract meaning from one experience and apply it to a new situation. I like to use what I learn and transfer that knowledge beyond the situation in which it was experienced. I use what I learn!
• THINKING AND COMMUNICATING WITH CLARITY AND PRECISION: I communicate accurately and eloquently in both written and oral form. I use precise language, I can define terms, and I support my statements with explanations, reasoning, comparisons, and evidence.
• GATHERING DATA THROUGH ALL SENSES: I like to learn from hands-on experiences and observe the environment around me. I form mental images and engage in visual-spatial reasoning tasks. I take information in through my senses and solve problems through scenarios and roleplaying. I pay attention to the world around me. I like to gather data through all of my senses.
• CREATING, IMAGINING, AND INNOVATING: I challenge myself to think of original, ingenious, and creative products, solutions, and techniques. I like to look at alternative possibilities from many angles. I am open to constructive criticism. I start with a vision and work backwards.
• RESPONDING WITH WONDERMENT AND AWE: I enjoy figuring things out by myself. I challenge myself to be a lifelong learner. I am curious about the world around me. I have fun looking for problems to solve and I am passionate about learning. I find the world awesome, mysterious, and intriguing.
• TAKING RESPONSIBLE RISKS: I take educated and responsible risks. I am not impulsive. I have an urge to go beyond established limits. I am challenged by the process of finding the answer. I view setbacks as interesting, challenging, and as an opportunity for growth. I like to venture out and try new experiences.
• FINDING HUMOR: I appreciate and understand humor. I am able to laugh at myself. I have the ability to perceive situations from an original and interesting vantage point. I am verbally playful and I enjoy absurdity, irony, and satire. People say I have a sense of humor. I challenge myself to find the whimsical and unexpected.
• THINKING INTERDEPENDENTLY: I am sensitive to the needs of others. I realize that many people working together on a team are more powerful intellectually and/or physically. I have a heightened ability to think in concert with others. I am a team player. I am able to work and learn from others.
• REMAINING OPEN TO CONTINUOUS LEARNING: I challenge myself to always be open to learning and be a lifelong learner. I constantly search for new and better ways and I enjoy exploring alternatives. I admit when I don’t know something and strive to learn. I view problems as valuable opportunities to learn. I have so much to learn!