Lawrence School

 

What is it? – Sticking to a task even when you want to give up.

Sounds like – “I think I can, hang in there, keep at it, you can do it!”

Looks like – Attending even with distractions. Trying again.

Feels like – Even though I’d like to quit, I have the strength to continue.

Some students give up when the answer is not immediately known. They crumble their paper, or say, “it’s too hard, I can’t do this!” Sometimes they write down any answer or hurry through their work, to “get it done”. Students with the habit of persisting have a method for analyzing the problem, they know how to begin. They consider the steps that must be performed and what data or information they need to accomplish the task. They are able to sustain a problem solving process over time. They are comfortable with new challenges.

“Success seems to be connected to action. Successful people keep moving. They make mistakes but they never quit.” Conrad Hilton

Information on Habits of Mind are taken from the book Habits of Mind by Costa and Kallick.