Habit 1, Be Proactive, means to choose your actions, attitude and mood. It also means to focus on the things over which you have control. Students have learned about the Circle of Control and Circle of No Control. In adult language, we would call this the Circle of Influence and the Circle of Concern. The following are things that students have control over: grades, homework completion, friendships, effort, helping others. These are things that they have no control over: divorce, death, illness, family decisions about moving, etc.

 If students focus on the things that they can control and have influence their circle of over, control will grow. When we find ourselves complaining about others or situations that we cannot do anything about or when we are in a negative mindset, we need to stop and focus on the things that we can influence and control.

 Habit 2, Begin with the End in Mind, is all about having a vision. Begin with the End in Mind is important because it causes us to plan ahead for the future! At Blandford Elementary each class has written a mission statement. This statement is the vision for their class. It describes how they want their class to learn together, work together, and help each other. Students collaborated together about what they wanted their mission statement to be for this school year. They were beginning with the End in Mind! When you visit our school, take a moment to read a few of the class missions statements.

You will be impressed! Ask your child about their classroom mission statement. So what can you do as a family? Begin with the End in Mind! What do you want your family to be like? How do you want others to feel when they enter your home? How do you want to work together, to play together, to help others together? This is your vision! Write down your ideas. Get input from each family member. This is called creating a family mission statement. A family mission statement can be a paragraph or just o few words. It is really is about you describing your vision for your family.

I plan for the important." This habit is about recognizing what is important, prioritizing time, and organizing tasks so we don't have to constantly be stressed! Some kind of written planner or weekly schedule is a great tool. Modeling this behavior is the best way to teach it.

One of the principles of this habit is to say no to things that we know we should not do. For example, if your child is invited to play with a friend and they have not completed their homework, they should be reminded that to put first things first means to work first and then play. This teaches children how to prioritize and delay gratification, a skill that we need to have as an adult.

Think Win-Win is the belief that everyone can win. It's not you or me, it's both of us. It is an abundant way of thinking. We are excited for the success of others. We have the to ask for what we want and courage compassion towards others. We use creative thinking to with a new solution that can make both of us come up happy.

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. It is believing that EVERYONE can WIN!

Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood

Too often instead of really listening, we are busy forming our response in our mind. This habit is about not just hearing with our ears, but looking at body language with our eyes, and using our hearts as well.

We listen to understand who that person is, how they feel about something, and how they view the world.

Suggested Language to Use with Your Child:

• "So if I understand, you are saying ________"
• "Excuse me, (child's name). Are you listening or pretend listening?"
• "What does your heart think she meant when she said that?"

Habit 6, Synergize, means when two or more people work together to create a better solution that neither would have thought of alone. It's not your way or my way, but a better way. Synergy is taking good ideas and making them better by working together.

Examples of synergy come from nature, history, literature, and personal experiences. For example, synergy happens in nature when a flock of geese heads south for the winter. They fly in a V formation because due to the updraft, the entire flock can fly farther than if each bird flew alone.

Habit 7 means that you will toke care of yourself inside and out. You will eat right, exercise and get plenty of sleep. It also means that you will find a way to help others and spend time with your family and friends.

Sharpening the saw also means that you will keep learning even when you are not at school.

Ideas for Sharpening the Saw at home:

• Volunteer to help at on onimal shelter
• Go for a hike or long walk with your family
• Make dinner together as a family
• Listen to your favorite music
• Read a book
• Play outside