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Habits of mind managing impulsivity1/22/2024 ![]() ![]() Teachers model this Habit of Mind by working hard to manage our own impulses when faced with issues in the classroom. ![]() For example, students are often reminded that if they don't turn in their homework, they will have to work in it at the beginning of recess, and to think about the consequence before they decide to leave their homework on their desk and not take it home. When students practice managing their impulsivity with their decisions, they are reminded that they need to think about the consequences of their actions before they make a decision. When students are reminded to control their impulses and control their bodies, they are reminded to be aware of others around them and think about how their bodies in that space could affect other bodies in the same space. These include flailing their arms in line (and hitting someone accidentally), kicking feet under the desk (and accidentally kicking someone in the shin), hitting someone when they are bumped into (accidentally), or balling up papers in frustration (loss of graded work). Students generally understand impulsivity when it comes to controlling their bodies, as many students still have impulsive behaviors that lead to negative consequences when it comes to doing things and not thinking about how they will impact others. When students practice managing their impulsivity in the classroom, they can do so in a variety of ways. Apart from modeling, students internalized these behaviors and were given praise when demonstrating impulse control and choosing alternatives. My colleagues and I worked hard to ensure that we set an example of these values for our students when responding and communicating with each other and students so students could have a clear vision and expectation of their behavior. Students were able to learn about managing impulses, understand the expectations of the classroom, and look to their teachers for guidance and support. One of the best ways that students learned about this Habit of Mind was through classroom modeling from teachers and staff. Managing Impulsivity is a Habit of Mind that students will continue to work through throughout the lives, but giving students the right tools to recognize impulsive behaviors and alternatives for them will help them with personal and academic growth. This Habit of Mind is one that students found to be most helpful and have been most responsive to in the classroom. I encouraged students to examine what it meant to be impulsive, what some impulsive behaviors were and how to identify them, and some alternatives to help manage their impulses. Finally, the student who focused on "enhancing wonderment and awe" summed up his efforts by writing that he tried to be "open to any surprises I get during the week and enjoy all of them.The second Habit of Mind that I explicitly taught, practiced, and reinforced in the classroom was Managing Impulsivity. Some wrote about managing their impulsivity and striving for accuracy, noting the gains they made in these areas by consciously trying to improve. Others brought greater intentionality to being persistent, empathetic, innovative, flexible, and open. By focusing on the habit of "questioning and posing problems" as a way to "dive deeper" into her learning, this student realized greater understanding. Another wrote about how she usually "doesn't take risks in her work … doesn't do more or extra," but was motivated to go the extra mile as part of this assignment. One student wrote about his efforts to "think more interdependently," offering specific examples of times when he considered other people's opinions and even changed his mind. The students' feedback highlighted their appreciation of how the habits of mind influenced their thinking and actions. ![]()
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