At our school, we are consistently striving to live by the 7 Daily Habits of Highly Effective People. We demonstrate these habits in a variety of ways in our classroom, hallways and playgrounds. In grade two, we also focus on these habits through the lens of technology and specifically what digital citizenship looks likes, sounds like, and feels like. Below are the 7 Daily Habits and how are learning them in our classroom.
Habit #1: Be Proactive
We have been discussing how our 7 Habits apply to being responsible digital citizens while working on devices such as chromebooks / ipads when at school and at home. We watched a video that encourages making thoughtful and responsible choices while on the internet. Click on the link below to watch the video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwUDdo6PjGM
Habit #2: Begin with the End in Mind
As we discussed Habit #2, students identified the value in making plans and having a goal to work towards. Students recognized that feeling the success of reaching a goal is worth the hard work and dedication. Goal setting is a big part of our grade 2 learning journey as we are often talking about goals for reading and writing; which sets the purpose for those moments in our day. As students become frequent users of technology, they need to be aware of the positive or negative consequences of the choices they make while working on line. We watched a cute video that demonstrated this Habit in a comical manner; starring a very determined character that was fully aware of what his end goal was. Click on the link to watch the video. https://youtu.be/EUm-vAOmV1o
Habit #3: Put First Things First
We've been working on identifying the importance of putting first things first throughout our day at school. We have established very clear expectations and routines for our classroom environment which we review often, to ensure that it is safe, fun and filled with many learning opportunities. Students need to realize that frequently getting off task can affect their own learning as well as the classroom environment, which impacts those around them. We all have the right to learn and if we are causing distractions for others, we are taking that right away from them and that's not fair. "The Little Red Hen" was a story that we connected to this habit. The video link is below. https://youtu.be/Od6R3a33bro
Habit #4: Think Win Win
Today we were learning about Habit #4: Think Win-Win and the word "compromise" was introduced. We had a discussion around how we can apply compromise to situations in our daily lives while at school and at home. We watched a video / story that demonstrated what compromise may look like and sound like. The video link is below. "The Berenstain Bears - Showdown At Birder's Wood"
Habit #5: Seek first to Understand then to be Understood
We have been discussing the value of being a good listener when our classmates and friends are speaking to us and ensuring that we listen with our eyes, ears and hearts. If we are not active listeners, and take the time to let others speak, communication falls apart and people may be misunderstood. Students learned that not everyone will agree with them but that we have to be respectful even when online. Also we learned about how advertisements are not always truthful and that we can't believe everything when we first see it on the internet. Above all we learned to be safe and always tell an adult if there is something if something makes us feel unsafe.
Habit #6: Synergize
Students are provided many opportunities throughout their day to engage in those moments where working together is better. We have had discussions around the topic of individual uniqueness and how we can appreciate the ideas, information and stories that others bring to our classroom. Having these opportunities to learn from our peers can be a great experience.