Eight Habits of Mind

Studio Thinking Framework
from Project Zero

Studio Thinking Framework
Eight Habits of Mind
Develop Craft Photo Develop Craft

Learning to use and care for tools (e.g., viewfinders, brushes), materials (e.g., charcoal, paint). Learning artistic conventions (e.g., perspective, color mixing).
Engage & Persist Photo Engage & Persist

Learning to embrace problems of relevance within the art world and/or of personal importance, to develop focus and other mental states conducive to working and persevering at art tasks.
Envision Photo Envision

Learning to picture mentally what cannot be directly observed and imagine possible next steps in making a piece.
Express Photo Express

Learning to create works that convey an idea, a feeling, or a personal meaning.
Observe Photo Observe

Learning to attend to visual contexts more closely than ordinary "looking" requires, and thereby to see things that otherwise might not be seen.
Reflect Photo Reflect

Question & Explain: Learning to think and talk with others about an aspect of one’s work or working process.

Evaluate: Learning to judge one’s own work and working process and the work of others in relation to standards of the: field.
Stretch & Explore Photo Stretch & Explore

Learning to reach beyond one's capacities, to explore playfully without a preconceived plan, and to embrace the opportunity to learn from mistakes and accidents.
Understand Art World Understand Art World

Domain: Learning about art history and current practice.

Communities: Learning to interact as an artist with other artists (i.e., in classrooms, in local arts organizations, and across the art field) and within the broader society.
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