Keys of Excellence:
Incorporating Habits of Mind

This Is It!

Pay attention - Keep a good attitude and use your time wisely.

  • Manage Impulsivity
  • Responding with wonderment and awe 
  • Remaining open to continuous learning 

Ownership

Take responsibility for what you say and do - always tell the truth and don’t blame others

  • Applying past knowledge to new situations
  • Remaining open to continuous learning  
  • Taking responsible risks 
  • Thinking interdependently

Speak with Good Purpose

Think before you speak - Make sure your words help others, not hurt them

  • Listening with understanding and empathy
  • Thinking and communicating with clarity and precision 
  • Managing impulsivity 

Commitment

Do your best - Take action - don’t give up

  • Striving for accuracy
  • Taking responsible risks 
  • Persisting 
  • Thinking interdependently 
  • Remaining open to continuous learning.

Failure Leads to Success

Learn from mistakes -It’s okay to make a mistake if you learn something

  • Persisting
  • Questioning and Posing Problems
  • Finding humor 

 

Integrity

Do what’s right - do the right thing no matter what

  • Thinking about thinking (metacognition)  
  • Managing impulsivity
  • Taking responsible risks
  • Thinking interdependently 
  • Thinking and communicating with clarity and precision 

Flexibility

Be willing to do things differently - You don’t always get what you want - be open to something different

  • Thinking flexibly
  • Creating, imagining, innovating
  • Thinking Interdependently
  • Gathering data through all senses 
  • Thinking about thinking (metacognition) 

Balance

Take care of yourself and others - Do things to help your growing brain, healthy body, and happy heart

  • Gathering Data through all senses
  • Finding humor
  • Responding with wonderment and awe