“Habits of Mind are the characteristics of what intelligent people do when they are confronted with problems, the resolutions of which are not immediately apparent.” – (Prof Art Costa)
What is a Habit of Mind?
A Habit of Mind is knowing how to behave intelligently.
A Habit of Mind is knowing what to do when we are unsure or unclear of the next step or when we DON’T know the answer.
A Habit of Mind means having a disposition toward behaving intelligently when confronted with problems, the answers to which are not immediately known: contradictions, dilemmas, inquiries and uncertainties.
21st century learning is not about gathering information but about knowing how to act on it, knowing what questions to ask of it and being able to thinking critically about content and origin. The Habits of Mind give us the behaviours that shape effective inquiry and encourage independent learning.
The Habits of Mind:
• Persisting
• Managing Impulsivity
• Listening With Understanding and Empathy
• Thinking Flexibly
• Thinking About Thinking (Metacognition)
• Striving For Accuracy and Precision
• Questioning and Posing Problems
• Applying Past Knowledge to New Situations
• Thinking and Communicating with Clarity and Precision
• Gathering Data through All Senses
• Creating, Imagining, and Innovating
• Responding with Wonderment and Awe
• Taking Responsible Risks.
• Finding Humour
• Thinking Interdependently
• Remaining Open to Continuous Learning
The Habits of Mind give learners of all ages and at all stages, a framework for autonomous, lifelong learning. They show us how to behave intelligently, independently and reflectively.
The Habits of Mind Programme
The ideals behind these habits of mind will be promoted across all Year Groups, to ensure the development of independent learners, who are enabled to achieve their highest potential. The habits of mind are thinking tools and strategies, which can be applied to challenging situations and problems. If drawn upon effectively, they will enable our young people to mature responsibly and focus on the thinking skills and personal capabilities needed to succeed. The following Habits will be focused on in each Year Group;
Year 8
1: Persisting.
2: Applying past knowledge to new situations.
3: Creating, Imagining & innovating.
Year 9
1: Managing Impulsivity.
2: Responding in wonder & awe.
3: Finding Humour.
Year 10
1: Thinking about thinking.
2: Taking responsible risks.
3: Listening with understanding & empathy.
Year 11
1: Thinking flexibly.
2: Striving for accuracy and Precision.
3: Remaining open to continuous Learning.
Year 12
1: Thinking independently
2: Remaining open to continuous Learning.
3: Thinking & communicating with clarity & precision.
Year 13
· Persisting
· Managing Impulsivity
· Listening With Understanding and Empathy
· Thinking Flexibly
· Thinking About Thinking
· Striving For Accuracy and Precision
· Questioning and Posing Problems
· Applying Past Knowledge to New Situations
Year 14
• Thinking and Communicating with Clarity and Precision
• Gathering Data through All Senses
• Creating, Imagining, and Innovating
• Responding with Wonderment and Awe
• Taking Responsible Risks.
• Finding Humour
• Thinking Interdependently
• Remaining Open to Continuous Learning
Habits of Mind Information Poster
Habits of Mind Further Information
Prospectus 2025, including Year 8 Admissions Criteria for September 2025, now available to access on our website.
https://www.loretogs.com/about-us/prospectus-2024