Neuro-savvy students understand & leverage their brains to maximize learning outcomes. Students learn the basics of educational neuroscience: the essential role that students' neurons, synapses, & dendrites play in their learning new ideas and skills. They also learn how to work out their brain, how to build myelin sheath, and 27 learning skills to try in and out of the classroom.
Purposeful students are directed by a clear mission to make effective choices. They learn to clarify their Life Purpose, a personal Mission Statement that keeps them focused on what is most important. They also learn a problem-solving process, the 4 Steps to Success, that allows them to find solutions to obstacles that get in the way of their reaching their academic goals.
Resilient students persist through challenges, driven by dreams, goals and values. Students explore their life dreams, learn the D.R.E.A.M. Model for setting goals, and identify the crucial action steps they need to take to reach those goals. They examine and articulate their values and explore methods for staying in alignment with their purpose, goals and values.
Broadly intelligent students recognize and engage their numerous intelligences. They understand that getting smarter means working harder to acquire improved mental and physical skills. They explore nine types of learners, nine learning strengths, and nine opportunities for learning. Finally, they gain a clear understanding of how Fixed Mindsets inhibit learning and Growth Mindsets enhance learning.
Positive students transform negative beliefs into positive strategies & communication. They learn to Park the Judge!, setting aside their inner judgmental beliefs to allow more supportive thoughts to guide their choices. They learn how to manage peer pressure & establish their healthy assertiveness to follow their own values and goals instead of unconsciously following someone else's values and goals. They understand the value of working with a mentor, and practice a new communication tool, Direct Communication, that promotes the effective assertion of needs to reduce conflict and miscommunication.
Balanced students handle essential tasks, utilize resources and contribute value. They are good at setting and following priorities and using organization and efficiency strategies to get important things done. They use the Hawaiian concept of Lokahi to achieve unity, working together with others to create synergy, and balance, managing their multiple tasks well.
Creative students solve problems, think critically & effectively manage diversity. They understand the role that creativity plays in learning, and they can access their creativity to generate new ideas, and innovative solutions to their daily challenges. They understand the difference between healthy risks versus big risks, and put their Critical Thinking skills to work to make better decisions and sharpen their learning skills. They learn to exercise diversity awareness & management skills to negotiate the diverse world they live in.
Empowered students exercise leadership with themselves and others. They have a bank of leadership skills they can use to move projects forward, build teams, motivate themselves and others, and produce results. They leverage effective listening skills to build trusting and productive relationships. They are attentive to the value of service learning, using the opportunity of giving to others to also acquire valuable wisdom.
Mindful students focus precisely with awareness and clarity of purpose. They practice mindfulness, a high level of attention on how their choices impact themselves and others around them. They remain grounded and balanced in the midst of pressure situations. They sharpen their attention to stay focused on critical tasks. They recognize their supportive and distracting habits and patterns, and identify new behaviors that produce better results when needed.
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