Hi Brian,
I looked at the I can statements and they are really good. Let me know how they work with the kids. Bena

Hello Brian,
I was looking at Bena's page and was happy to find your "I can" statements for the Habits of Mind. They will very much help me to guide students to develop affirmations for goals and to evaluate and develop task orienting cognitions for overcoming the task interfering cognitions that seem to occur automatically in adolescents. Thanks for sharing. Scott R.

Unfortunately our district is initiating so many different web-based computer applications that our teachers can barely find time to plan and teach. We also have not learned how to prioritize standards. I am pretty much a stand-alone in terms of the HOM's. I am convinced that Bandura's Social Cognitive Learning Theory is the correct approach for affecting health behaviors. The Habits mesh perfectly and provide an anchor for all of my units. Clearly every choice that student's make regarding avoiding or initiating a risk behavior begins with a thought. Thoughts determine feelings that influence behaviors. If we can influence them to think well when encountering problems we will be teaching them something of real value. My experience has been that they are so preoccupied with the feelings that they are not in the habit of stepping back and evaluating the thoughts that precede them. I notice real growth during tength grade and the Habits of Mind are something that the students learn and retain. I suspect the "I can" statements should promote them having ownership and positively influence their ability to metacogitate. Bena's wisdom has fueled my enthusiasm and indirectly influenced the self-efficacy of many of my students. Best wishes for your learning community to have the same growth that I know I have seen in my students. Scott R.