Cultivating beneficial habits is part of what all teachers strive to do. All of these mini-lessons have been designed to create a more effective and positive person. But, habits do not work if they are not truly habits. If they are not treated as something to build into a lifestyle, then they are essentially useless.
Perhaps the most important habit of all is the 7th, Sharpen the Saw. It reminds us that we need to be continually refining ourselves, continually bettering ourselves. It keeps us feeling good about ourselves, and prepares you to face the challenges in life. This habit is about finding balance, and not creating anxiety to always be better. It is about being aware of how you are physically, emotionally, spiritually, and mentally. When you are aware of where you stand, you can use all of the other habits to improve yourself, and your connections to the people around you.
To teach this habit, I am going to enlist some help from a staff member. One of the other Humanities teachers at our school is also a yoga instructor, and has volunteered to do some breathing exercises with my class. We will take some time to put our thoughts aside and focus on their breathing. I think it will set the tone well for doing some reflection. After the guided breathing, each student will fill out a reflection form, asking them to assess themselves in the four areas outlined above. They will measure their current state against their desires, and set some short and long term goals to attain those things.
Perhaps the most important habit of all is the 7th, Sharpen the Saw. It reminds us that we need to be continually refining ourselves, continually bettering ourselves. It keeps us feeling good about ourselves, and prepares you to face the challenges in life. This habit is about finding balance, and not creating anxiety to always be better. It is about being aware of how you are physically, emotionally, spiritually, and mentally. When you are aware of where you stand, you can use all of the other habits to improve yourself, and your connections to the people around you.
To teach this habit, I am going to enlist some help from a staff member. One of the other Humanities teachers at our school is also a yoga instructor, and has volunteered to do some breathing exercises with my class. We will take some time to put our thoughts aside and focus on their breathing. I think it will set the tone well for doing some reflection. After the guided breathing, each student will fill out a reflection form, asking them to assess themselves in the four areas outlined above. They will measure their current state against their desires, and set some short and long term goals to attain those things.