Chapter 8 Blog Entry

As humans, we are creatures of the habits that we repeat on a daily basis. Good and bad habits are formed as we grow throughout the lifespan.

James states that "All of our life, so far as it has definite forms, is but a mass of habits, practical, emotional, and intellectual, -systematically organized for our weal or woe, and bearing us irresistibly to ward our destiny, whatever the latter may be" (pg. 33). Each morning that I wake up, I say my prayers and then I go to the bathroom so that I can begin getting dressed for the day. I repeat this routine each day because of my habits. When you do something everyday, it starts to be a part of your daily routine. Every morning, I think about everything that needs to be completed for the day. Because I think about this everyday, I have a mental habit. Overall, the things that we do are a reflection of the habits that have formed over many years. Good habits that are cultivated will eventually form other good habits. Bad habits over time will remain bad habits until the person chooses to change their behavior to form good habits.

James speaks about good and bad habits in this talk. But how can we cultivate good habits in our classroom so that those habits become a part of our student's daily practices?