Midterms and Parent Teacher Conferences

Some call them “21st Century Skills.” Others call them “Global Competencies.”  Still others call them the “Foundation of Learning Expertise.”  All are trying to get at the same thing.  There are certain habits of thought and of work that are centrally important to good learning, working, and living.  When we deeply internalize certain essential habits, we are then prepared to enjoy and navigate our lives well and we become all that we are meant to be.

In parent conferences this week, that is what we, as teachers, will be starting to address: essential habits of mind, heart, learning, and work. In some parent conferences, teachers might talk about the habit of kindness.  In other conferences across the hall, teachers might talk about the habit of exploring and brave risk taking.  In still other conferences, teachers will refer to active listening, self-regulation, or flexible thinking.  These are all among the multiple habits that must be fully learned here at school. They are important every year and in every grade, but especially so in the first six weeks of school.  When you talk to teachers this week, you will naturally hear about some of them.

Some parents and teachers may talk about the habit of kindness this week.  Kindness is certainly what we all want to see grow in children here.  It is part of being a good and caring person in the world.  Still more, kindness is integral to strong academic learning.  When someone is kind, as a matter of habit, he or she is intellectually hospitable - always inviting new ideas.  He encourages his classmates and learns from them. She collaborates in ways that are productive and respectful.  Kindness is an essential habit of heart that makes good learning and good living possible.  It is also essential to address in parent conferences at times.

For others, the habit of exploring will be a primary topic of parent-teacher conversation.  After all, the habit of exploring is deeply important to lifelong learning.  A child who is inclined to explore - to take reasonable risks, to invite and learn from mistakes, and to meet new experiences with curiosity - well, that is the child who will ultimately learn the most important and lasting lessons of all. 

Are there any other essential habits?  Certainly.  In fact, we have listed twenty here at Mustard Seed - including the habits of listening, celebrating, creating, thinking flexibly, and organizing thoughts, time, and materials.  While we may emphasize certain habits in younger grades and other habits in older grades, all kinds of habits are taught and assessed as children grow.  This week, at conferences, you will like hear about just one or two, but you will hear more and more in the years to come.

Kathy Hanson
Director, Grades 2-8