Habits of Learning (HoLs) are essential for students as they progress through their academic journeys. These customs and routines encompass a wide range of behaviors and practices that support students in their academic pursuits and challenge them in all aspects of life. While some schools may refer to this area as “citizenship,” Robert Marzano, in his book Transforming Classroom Grading (2000), uses the term “nonacademic factors” to describe these habits of learning.
It is important to note that classroom rules and guidelines can overlap with these nonacademic areas. However, citizenship and nonacademic factors focus on cultivating students’ highest-self behaviors, and HoLs are the next step in promoting positive behaviors and habits. These habits go beyond merely complying with classroom rules; they encompass the development of a growth mindset, effective time management, critical thinking, and reflection, among other skills.
Habits of Learning in the IB
The International Baccalaureate (IB) program emphasizes the development of good habits of learning, which are essential for success in both academic and personal pursuits.
Some of the key habits of learning that the IB promotes are:
- Time Management: IB students learn to manage their time effectively, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines.
- Independent Learning: IB students are encouraged to take responsibility for their learning, think critically and reflectively, and seek out new knowledge and experiences.
- Active Learning: IB students are encouraged to participate actively in class discussions, ask questions, and engage in collaborative learning activities.
- Inquiry-based Learning: IB students learn to ask thoughtful questions, research and analyze information, and develop reasoned conclusions and solutions.
- Reflection: IB students learn to reflect on their learning, evaluate their progress and performance, and set improvement goals.
- Effective communication: IB students learn to communicate verbally and in writing effectively and listen actively to others.
- Cultural awareness: IB students learn to appreciate and respect different cultures and perspectives and to become global citizens who are open-minded and inclusive.
These IB habits of learning aim to equip students with the skills and tools necessary to succeed in a constantly evolving world, nurturing a lifelong learning mindset.
The International Baccalaureate® (IB) Organization describes ATLs as falling into five areas: thinking, communication, self-management, research, and social. There are also ten specific MYP skill clusters that fall within these five ATL areas. Both the ATLs and HoLs support and promote the whole student in school and beyond.
Evolution of the Habits
When I started teaching MYP Design in 2015, we were using Approaches to Learning (ATLs) to support student growth. In middle school, our HoLs covered three domains: organization, collaboration, and communication. We provided feedback to students in these areas via progress reports and report cards. We eventually grew our expectations and support to include self-reflection for a total of four HoLs. In both situations, our HoLs were more non-academic than ATLs (which include both thinking skills and research skills).
The authors of the HoLs at my school developed detailed descriptions broken down into what each HoL looked like ranging from below expectations all the way up to exceeding expectations. This guidance was helpful for teachers to have a clear and common message for our students across the middle school grade levels.
Changing Habits
My sense was that students in my Design Classroom would benefit from a more concise version of the Habits of Learnings to best serve their needs. Also, I wanted a set of relevant classroom rules to best ensure day-to-day learning. I did not want to add another rubric/list/expectation chart for my sixth-graders to have to manage since their world was already abundant with keeping track of eight classes: English, Spanish, design & technology, science, humanities, physical education, and fine arts.
Essentially, if I could cover the concrete classroom operation (rules) while promoting ideal mindsets and attitudes (HoLs), and limit the number of things I ask students to pay attention to, teaching and learning would be very much on track!
So, I modified the Habits of Learning into printable posters (each HoL is two pages long in a landscape format, pdf file type) and one small presentation (five slides: title and the four HoL pages; pdf file type). Feel free to use them!
Summary of Effective Habits of Learning
By encouraging and developing these HoLs, students can not only achieve academic success but also thrive in their personal lives. The ability to manage time effectively, think critically and reflectively, and communicate clearly are all essential skills that will serve students well beyond the classroom walls. Ultimately, the aim of cultivating HoLs is to equip students with the necessary tools to become lifelong learners, who are self-motivated and equipped to succeed in an ever-changing world.