On our recent early dismissal day, Andrews Elementary celebrated leadership and teamwork with a special Habit Huddle. Students from older grades were paired with younger students to form Leadership Buddies (also called Habit Friends), giving them the chance to mentor, model, and practice the 7 Habits together.
The celebration kicked off with energy and excitement as students performed a chant set to the dance moves of the Macarena. Smiles and laughter set the tone for a day of teamwork and fun.
This first Habit Huddle focused on our opening habits—Be Proactive and Begin with the End in Mind—and reminded us that everyone can be a leader, no matter their age. By pairing students across grade levels, older leaders served as role models while younger students got to learn and practice alongside a mentor.
The buddy teams then took part in hands-on activities that required planning, teamwork, and good choices. In the Row Your Boat Challenge, younger students balanced a paper boat on their head while older buddies guided them safely to the other side of the room. Laughter filled the air as teams worked together to reach their goal. In another activity, students played a toss game where they worked toward a set point goal, tossing stuffed animals into hanging rings. Each game reinforced the importance of setting a plan, working together, and celebrating success.
To close out the day, older students shared a special gift with their younger buddy: a friendship bracelet. Each older student gave one bracelet to their buddy and kept the other, a symbol of the bond formed through teamwork and leadership.
Our first Habit Huddle was a huge success, helping students connect across grade levels and showing how much we can accomplish when we work together. We look forward to watching our Habit Friends grow as leaders all year long!