Multiple Intelligences

Traditionally, we have been led to believe that we are born with a certain potential for intelligence, and once we have gone through normal growth and education, we may reach and maintain that level of intelligence. This level can be determined by taking a pen-and-paper test using words, numbers, and maybe, a few pictures. This belief is not particularly encouraging.

Howard Gardner gives more hope with the theory of Multiple Intelligences. This theory proposes that people are not born with all of the intelligence they will ever have. Intelligence can be learned and improved upon throughout life. Everyone is intelligent in at least seven different ways and can develop each aspect of intelligence to an average level of competency. Fourth grade students have been learning about these different intelligences. They have learned four as of this posting. Ask them about these and the activites we've completed in the classroom.