Author Stephen Covey used many of those same concepts in developing a book for young students called, “The Leader in Me” seven years ago.

At least one Marysville school, Grove Elementary, is using the book and a curriculum that has evolved around it. Fourth-grade teacher Beth Vavrousek is using it in her class.

Because the students are all leaders, they are going to tell the story.

• Christian VanNatta said the first habit is to be proactive. Jenasea Wise explained that means you are in charge of yourself to do the right thing.

• The second habit is to begin with the end in mind, Nicholas Rhoads said. Michelle Castillo said that means that you make a plan on what to do. Annabelle Watts said as an example is to make a goal on what you want to accomplish for the day. Adaeze Okeiyimor said that could involve setting a goal on a score to achieve and then listening to instructions to make sure you reach it.

• Jaxon Reyes admitted the third habit is a really tough one for him. Alessandro Filoteo said it is called First Things First. That means you do your homework first or chores before you play video games or watch TV. Jaxon said he accomplishes that by doing homework during commercials. Connor Hartel his mom and dad make him do chores, such as emptying the garbage.

• The fourth habit, Alijah Raley said, is to think win, win. He gave the example that by paying attention kids get to learn and teachers get to teach. Christian Tallman gave another example, that on the playground by letting everyone play nobody is left out and you get to enjoy playing with more people.

• Habit No. 5 is to seek first to understand. You do that by listening to people’s ideas and feelings and not interrupting. Grace Obermeyer said she understands that because if a friend is talking too much she starts to daydream. Faline Allen admitted she finds it hard not to interrupt.

• The sixth habit is to synergize, which means to be nice to people, not mean. Annabelle said that means helping somebody who might be stuck on a math problem.

• The last habit is called Sharpen the Saw. Connor Olmsted said that means to eat healthy. Kane Selapack added that also means to exercise and get sleep.

As part of the curriculum, students keep a journal and write down examples of when they used one of the seven habits during the day. There are lessons included, and they use the overhead projector for other worksheets. They also keep data binders of assessments so they have evidence of how they are doing on classwork.

“It shows how much control they have over their own learning,” Vavrousek said.

An especially fun part of the program is classes all over the country have made You-Tube videos related to the curriculum. Vavrousek’s class especially likes one made to the popular tune “Dynamite,” by Taio Cruz.

Students in Vavrousek’s class say they, and their families, have noticed a difference in themselves since they started learning “The Leader in Me” at the start of the year.

Christian VanNatta said at the beginning of the year he wasn’t doing well and was stressed out and wasn’t doing homework. But after learning the program he figured things out, and “I don’t want to play video games” until the work is done.

Faline said she wasn’t cooperative earlier this year and didn’t want to pay attention. But learning the habits made “me aware of the things I do and the things I say.”

Connor Hartel said he also uses the seven habits at home. He has three brothers, and when he gets mad at them he thinks win, win. “When they are rude instead of fighting I control my anger,” he said.

Vavrousek said when saw the program being used at another school she couldn’t wait to try it. She hopes to get her entire school involved with it next year. The overall goal is for everyone to do what is right, even when no one is watching.

What she likes most about it is the students are learning skills that will last a lifetime.

“These are universal principles of lifetime habits,” she said. “I am in charge of myself. I know I can do it.”