In the last post, when I listed four STEAM habits of mind (optimism, visualization, collaboration, and reflection), I left out a large amount of thought that had gone into that list.  At my summer ATF (Advanced Tech Fellows) meeting in July, I decided to focus upon habits of mind specific to STEAM and conducted some research.  Lists of these habits exist in a number of different forms, but I found the defined habits as either too complicated, too vague, or too numerous for third graders.  My initial  attempt at a third grade list ended up being:

• Problem Solving - flexibility*, experimentation, logical thinking
• Visualizing - Math in Focus (math program), planning
• Improving - Growth Mindset, questioning*
• Optimism - Perseverance, also Growth Mindset
• Collaboration - listening, communicating, flexibility, empathy
• Reflection - Ethical considerations*, metacognition 

                           (* the starred items were habits included in other lists)

Then, last week, I attended CCSD's week-long K-12 STEAM Initiative.  One focus of our work was the "Habitudes" - habits of mind or attitudes necessary for life success, especially in STEAM pursuits.  These Habitudes are curiosity, imagination, courage, perseverance, adaptability, self-awareness, and passion.  We also adopted and utilized a new district problem solving framework which easily fits STEAM projects and is based around a think-execute-reflect cycle (for STEAM tasks it could be thought of pre-production, production, and post-production).

This week made me reevaluate what habits I wanted to teach my 3rd graders.  As far as the Habitudes went, I felt they were all valuable, but were not all something I wanted to directly teach.  For example, I would want to value and encourage curiosity, passion, and imagination, but I didn't see myself teaching those habits.  However, I felt I could teach perseverance and self-awareness.

Also, I began to see problem solving as a skill, not a habit of mind.  By using the problem-solving framework in my classroom, I would be working on the skills of problem solving and improving.  Thus, I did not need them on my habits list.

A new list took shape:
    Optimism - approaching tasks with perseverance and a willingness to learn from them
      (this includes perseverance and a growth mindset)
    Visualization - making an image from given information and your imagination
      (this includes imagination and is a direct teaching point in our math and reading programs)
    Collaboration - working with others to improve thinking and grow ideas
      (this includes adaptability, and group skills like listening and empathy)
    Self-Awareness - attempting to know yourself as a learner and a collaborator
      (this includes metacognition, adaptability, and mindfulness)

I know these habits will evolve as I use them, but I am comfortable with them as a beginning.  I think they meet my criteria.  They are limited in number (only four), they are interdisciplinary, and they are habits I can teach to third graders.

 

I am planning on using this blog to record my efforts at bringing STEAM to my third grade classroom.  I will be defining the term broadly (and refining it as I go) to include problem solving, project-based learning, authentic tasks, and any skills inherent within those categories (e.g. science, math, engineering skills).  In addition, I feel it is important to develop related habits of mind, such as optimism, visualization, collaboration, and reflection.