Choosing an Extracurricular Activity That Honors Your Students Intelligence
The school system in the United States is focused on two main intelligences, logical/mathematical and verbal/linguistic. The new Common Core State Standards will allow creative teachers to incorporate Multiple Intelligences theory into the curriculum, which will in turn, reach students that have been previously excluded. But what can you do until the Common Core Standards are implemented? Enroll your student in after-school activities. For example some students are more able in the arts or sports (their strongest intelligence). The perception is that they are "extra" classes. But they're the main reason many struggling students stay focused on school.
What is Multiple Intelligences Theory?
Howard Gardener's theory of Multiple Intelligences utilizes aspects of cognitive and developmental psychology, anthropology, and sociology to explain human intellect. Although Gardener had been working towards the concept of Multiple Intelligences for many years prior, the theory was introduced in 1983, with Gardener's ground breaking book, Frames of Mind.
Gardener's research consisted of brain research and interviews with stroke victims, prodigies, and individuals with autism. Based on his findings, Gardner established eight criteria for identifying seven (he has added an eighth and ninth) separate intelligences. The eight criteria used by Gardner to identify the intelligences are listed below:
* Isolation by brain damage/neurological evidence
* The existence of prodigies, idiot savants, and exceptional individuals
* Distinguishable set of core operations
* Evolutionary history and plausibility
* Susceptibility to encoding in a symbol system
* Support from experimental psychological tasks
* Support from psychometric research
For a more detailed look at these eight criteria, visit http://surfaquarium.com/MI/criteria.htm.
Originally, the theory accounted for seven separate intelligences. Subsequently, with the publishing of Gardener's Intelligence Reframed in 1999, two more intelligences were added to the list. The intelligences are Verbal/Linguistic Logical/Mathematical, Visual/Spatial, Bodily/Kinesthetic, Musical, Interpersonal, Intrapersonal, Naturalistic, and Existential.
Gardner's theory challenges traditional, narrower views of intelligence. Previously accepted ideas of human intellectual capacity contend that an individual's intelligence is a fixed entity throughout her lifetime and that intelligence can be measured through an individual's logical and language abilities.This is what standardized tests focus on. According to Gardner's theory, an intelligence encompasses the ability to create and solve problems, create products or provide services that are valued within a culture or society. Listed below are the key points of Multiple Intelligences Theory:
* All human beings possess all nine intelligences in varying degrees.
* Each individual has a different profile.
* Education can be improved by assessment of the students' intelligence profiles and designing activities
accordingly.
* Each intelligence occupies a different area of the brain.
* The nine intelligences may operate in consort or independently from one another.
* These nine intelligences may define the human species.
Gardner, a Professor of Education at Harvard University, and other researchers and educators continue to work towards a more holistic approach to education through Project Zero. For more information on the projects and research in Project Zero, visit the website at http://www.pz.harvard.edu
Although the theory was not originally designed for use in a classroom application, it has been widely embraced by educators and enjoyed numerous adaptations in a variety of educational settings.Teachers have always known that students had different strengths and weaknesses in the classroom. Gardner's theory was able to articulate that and provide direction as to how to improve a student's ability in any given intelligence. The Common Core State Standards are just standards, so educators can design curriculum based on both the academic standards and Multiple Intelligences.
Choose an extracurricular activity with the Multiple Intelligences in mind. Listed below is a brief description of each intelligence.
* Verbal/Linguistic - Strengths include writing, reading, memorizing dates, thinking in words, telling stories.
* Mathematical/ Logical - Strengths include math, logic, problem-solving, reasoning, patterns.
* Visual/Spatial - Strengths include maps, reading, charts, puzzles, imagining things, visualization.
* Bodily/Kinesthetic - Strengths include athletics, dancing, crafts, using tools, acting.
* Musical - Strengths include picking up sounds, remembering melodies, rhythms, singing.
* Interpersonal - Strengths include leading, organizing, understanding people, communicating, resolving
conflicts, selling.
* Intrapersonal - Strengths include recognizing strengths and weaknesses, setting goals, understanding self.
* Naturalistic - Strengths includes understanding nature, making distinctions, identifying flora and fauna.
* Existential - Strengths include ethnics, humanity, sensitivity and capacity to tackle deep questions about
human existence.
EXTRACURRICULAR activities help children learn more themselves, develop new skills, and contribute to their community. It is important that parents help their child focus on a "nonacademic" path to success. While not all children excel academically, after-school activities present opportunities to become world class at something.
Extracurricular activities such as dance or sports not only bolster children's health, they also foster good habits for a lifetime, and motivate students to focus on school. Here's some advice on helping your student choose an extracurricular activity:
Listen to your child. The right age to start an activity depends entirely upon your child. One size does not fit all. Even toddlers, who in an imagination stage developmentally, may gain confidence from theater programs for preschoolers.
Don't overload. Be aware of an activity's time commitment. Many sports require daily practice, plus obligations for tournaments, fundraising or celebrations. It's important to allow for downtime too.
Consider cost. Some activities are more costly than others and may require lessons, uniforms, costumes, or travel. Ask questions to avoid unexpected budget-breaking expenses. For budget-friendly options, explore community recreation centers, boys and girls clubs, houses of worship, or other groups such as 4-H, and of course talk to other parents for their ideas.
Find volunteer opportunities. The opportunities are endless, a few examples include libraries, hospitals, and food banks.
Let your student/child experiment. Give your child the freedom to explore and discover multiple joy-inducing activities. Don't insist on your child finishing an activity if it's clear, even after just two weeks, that's it's not a good match. Take seriously the child's opinion. Eventually, children will find an interest in which they can shine.
Extracurricular are so important because that is where children can find out who they are in the world. And without extracurricular activities students might not concentrate on school. Research shows that there's a link between high quality arts education and strong educational outcomes. Although there's no research on whether extracurricular activities improve student performance, any teacher or parent, can tell you that once they get a taste of success in whatever activity it spills over into other academic work.
On a final note, the arts and many other extracurricular activities give ideas life and power!
Sincerely,
Debra
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