This Month's Feature Article

Sharpen

We are learning about Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw.   

The story is that a man was sawing down a tree and not making much progress.   When asked why he didn’t stop sawing to sharpen his saw, he answered that he was too busy sawing.  

Habit 7 reminds us that we are more productive when we are in balance; body, brain, heart, and soul. If one area is being ignored or overused, the rest will feel the results. A good analogy for children is a car needing all four tires; as leaders of themselves, they need to take care of all four parts of them.
 

Synergize

In April, we are learning about Habit 6: Synergize.

This habit is achieved when two or more people work together to create a better solution than either would have thought of alone. It’s not your way or my way, but a better way.  

                                             Think of 1 + 1 = 3 (or more).  

How is that possible?  Well, 1 person + another person = 2 ideas + many, many more that neither of them would have thought of alone. It’s taking good ideas and making them better by working together, looking for a third alternative. Synergy is a great tool for families. 

Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood

In March, students are learning about Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood.

This means that it is better to listen first and to talk second.  This habit will introduce listening as a skill and something that should be practiced. Simply put, we have two ears and one mouth and should use them accordingly.

Think Win-Win

In February, we are learning about Habit 4: Think Win-Win.

Think Win-Win is the belief that everyone can win. It’s not you or me, it’s both of us.  It’s a belief that there are enough good things for everyone. It’s being able to be happy when good things happen to other people.  To be able to Think Win-Win, it is important to be strong in Habits 1, 2, and 3.  Habit 4: Think Win-Win is the first of the next three habits that address relationships. They teach us how to better interact with others.

Put First Things First

In Janaury, we are learning about Habit 3: Put First Things First.

Put First Things First means to decide what is most important and to take care of that first or to work first, then play. Thinking about what needs to be done tomorrow or by the end of the week can be overwhelming, especially for children. Through practice, children can learn to prioritize and manage their time and how to not procrastinate.~ This allows children (and adults) to be less stressed.

Begin With the End in Mind

In November, we are learning about Habit 2: Begin With the End in Mind.

Begin with the End in Mind means you should have a clear picture of your goal before getting started. Reading a recipe before cooking or looking at a map before leaving on a trip is beginning with the end in mind. For young children thinking about what they want a picture to look like before drawing or looking at the cover of a jigsaw puzzle before putting it together is beginning with the end in mind.

The Leader in Me

Mountview School uses the Leader in Me program inspired from Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.  This program provides students with activities that will help them learn practical character and life skills that will lead to positive choices and decision-making.  This month the students will be learning about the Foundation, which is learning the about habits, paradigms and principles.  You can find more information about this program at www.theleaderinme.org