Do you still have your BCA Parent Handbook? In the section under Academic Services it discusses Howard Gardenr, the "whole child" educational philosophy, etc.
Sounded like what we were looking for... Was it there and did it work for you?
"http://www.cedu2.com/a/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=101
Article authored by Al Tuck, Master Teacher
CEDU Academics is purposefully designed to help meet the unique learning needs of CEDU students. In that context, you are probably familiar with phrases like "experiential education," "arts infusion," and "multiple intelligences." This article is designed to provide some detailed information on the latter.
Howard Gardner conceived the concept of multiple intelligences, and it essentially focuses on the fact that not everyone learns in the same way. In his original work, Gardner identified seven distinct ways that people learn. Since then, an eighth has been added and a ninth one is under serious consideration. Following this introduction is a detailed summary (from Gardner and other sources) of the characteristics of each of these nine learning styles, or intelligences.
Most people can identify two or three areas that stand out for them as learners. Take a look at these special intelligence indicators and identify your own learning style or that of your child. While many believe that we should focus primarily on the styles that come easily and naturally to the student, research has shown that these more comfortable styles only open the gates to learning. Gardner and others have emphasized that, when lessons are learned and reinforced in a not-so-comfortable style as well, information is far more likely to be retained.
How does CEDU Academics incorporate this information into its educational philosophy? Within a few weeks after their arrival, CEDU High School and Middle School students are specifically tested by our Academic Services Advisor to determine their individual learning styles. This information is then made available to the CEDU faculty via our weekly staff meetings. With this invaluable information, our teachers are equipped to adapt lesson presentations, classroom activities, testing materials, and assessment techniques to match the unique learning styles of their students.
The following performance indicators with your children in mind, and try to identify those areas in which they seem to fit most comfortably. You might be surprised by the results. How do they compare with the areas that are more compatible with your own learning styles?
Special Intelligence Indicators Linguistic Intelligence - (Word Smart)
- Writes better than average for their age
- Spins tales and tells jokes and stories
- Has a good memory for names, places, dates, and trivia
- Enjoys word games
- Spells words accurately
- Appreciates nonsense rhymes, puns, tongue twisters, etc.
- Enjoys listening to the spoken word
- Has a good vocabulary for his/her age
- Communicates to others in a highly verbal way
These learners have highly developed auditory skills and are generally elegant speakers. They think in words rather than pictures. Possible career interests: Poet, journalist, writer, teacher, lawyer, politician, translator.
Logical-Mathematical Intelligence - (Number Smart)
- Asks a lot of questions about how things work
- Computes arithmetic questions in his/her head quickly
- Enjoys the challenges of math class
- Finds math games and math computer games interesting
- Enjoys playing chess, checkers, or other strategy games
- Enjoys working with logic puzzles and brainteasers
- Likes to experiment in a way that shows higher order thinking processes
- Thinks on more abstract levels than peers
- Has a good sense of cause and effect relationships for his/her age
These learners think conceptually in logical and numerical patterns making connections between pieces of information. Always curious about the world around them, these learners ask lots of questions and like to do experiments. Possible career paths: Scientists, engineers, computer programmers, researchers, accountants, mathematicians.
Musical Intelligence -(Music Smart)
- Tells you when music is off-key or disturbing in some other way
- Remembers the melody of songs
- Has a good singing voice
- Plays a musical instrument or sings in a choir or other musical group
- Has a rhythmic way of speaking and/or moving
- Unconsciously hums to him/herself
- Taps rhythmically on the table or desk as he/she works
- Is sensitive to the environmental noises, like rain of the roof
- Can easily imitate the voices and inflections of others
These musically inclined learners think in sounds, rhythms and patterns. They immediately respond to music either appreciating or criticizing what they hear. Many of these learners are extremely sensitive to environmental sounds (e.g. crickets, bells, dripping taps). Possible career paths: Musician, disc jockey, singer, composer.
Spatial Intelligence - (Picture Smart)
- Reports clear visual images
- Reads maps, charts, and diagrams more easily than text
- Daydreams more than peers
- Enjoys art activities
- Draws figures and pictures that are advanced for age
- Likes to view movies, slides, or other visual presentations
- Enjoys doing puzzles, mazes, ?Where?s Waldo?? or ?hidden picture? or ?I spy? type activities, and challenges like hidden pictures or similar games
- Builds interesting three-dimensional constructions for age (Legos)
- Gets more out of pictures than words when reading
- Doodles on workbooks, worksheets, or other materials
These learners tend to think in pictures and need to create vivid mental images to retain information. They enjoy looking at maps, charts, pictures, videos, and movies. Possible career interests: Navigators, sculptors, visual artists, inventors, architects, interior designers, mechanics, engineers.
Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence (Body Smart)
- Excels in one or more sports
- Moves, twitches, taps, fidgets while seated for a long time in one spot
- Cleverly mimics other people?s gestures and mannerisms
- Loves to take things apart and put them back together again
- Has trouble keeping his/her hands off something new just seen
- Enjoys jumping, wrestling, or similar activities
- Shows skill on a craft or good fine-motor
coordination in other ways
- Has dramatic way of expressing him/herself - Reports different physical sensations while thinking or working
- Enjoys working with clay or other tactile medium, and enjoys hands on art activities
These learners express themselves through movement. They have a good sense of balance and eye-hand coordination. (e.g. ball play, balancing beams). Through interacting with the space around them, they are able to remember and process information. Possible career paths: Athletes, physical education teachers, dancers, actors, firefighters, artisans.
Interpersonal Intelligence (People Smart)
- Enjoys socializing with peers
- Seems to be a natural leader
- Gives advice to friends who have problems
- Seems to be people smart -- attuned to others
- Belongs to clubs, committees, or other organizations
- Enjoys informally teaching other kids
- Likes to play games with other kids
- Has two or more close friends
- Has a good sense of empathy or concern for others
- Others seek out his/her company
These learners try to see things from other people's point of view in order to understand how they think and feel. They often have an uncanny ability to sense feelings, intentions and motivations. They are great organizers, although they sometimes resort to manipulation. Generally they try to maintain peace in group settings and encourage cooperation. They use both verbal (e.g. speaking) and non-verbal language (e.g. eye contact, body language) to open communication channels with others. Possible career paths: Counselor, salesperson, politician, business person.
Intrapersonal Intelligence (Self Smarts)
- Displays a sense of independence or strong will
- Has a realistic sense of his/her strengths and weaknesses
- Does well when left alone to play or study
- Marches to the beat of a different drummer in his/her style of living and learning
- Has an interest or hobby that he or she doesn't talk about much
- Has a good sense of self-direction
- Prefers working alone to working with others
- Accurately expresses how he/she is feeling
- Is able to learn from his/her failures and successes
- Has high self-esteem
These learners try to understand their inner feelings, dreams, relationships with others, and strengths and weaknesses. Possible career paths: Researchers, theorists, philosophers.
Naturalistic Intelligence (Nature Smarts)
- Has a strong affinity to the outside world, to the beauty in nature, or to animals
- Enjoys subjects, shows, or stories that deal with animals or natural phenomena
- May show unusual interest in subjects like biology, zoology, botany, geology, meteorology or astronomy
- Is keenly aware of his/her surroundings and changes in the environment
- Has highly developed senses that help him/her notice similarities, differences and changes in his/her surroundings
- May be able to categorize or catalogue things easily
- May notice things others might may not be aware of
- Likes to collect, classify, or read about things from nature ? rocks, fossils, butterflies, feathers, shells, and the like
- Prefers to be outside and readily appreciates and embraces activities like camping, hiking, scuba diving, bird watching, gardening, or climbing, or perhaps he/she may just like sitting quietly and noticing the subtle differences in his/her environment
These learners typically prefer outdoor activities, have a special connection to the wonders of nature, and usually think of the larger picture rather than dwelling on details. Possible career paths: Environmental science, on-location scientific research, philosophers, forestry, wildlife preservation, pastors
Note on a possible ninth intelligence - Existential Intelligence
There are many people who feel that there should be a ninth intelligence, existential intelligence (A.K.A.: "wondering smart, cosmic smart, spiritually smart, or metaphysical intelligence"). Gardner has alluded to the possibility of this intelligence in several of his works. He has stated that existential intelligence might be manifest in someone who is concerned with fundamental questions about existence, or who questions the intricacies of existence. Gardner has offered a preliminary definition as individuals who exhibit the proclivity to pose and ponder questions about life, death, and ultimate realities.
Children with existential intelligence are those ?old souls? who may appear to have a sixth sense, may be psychic, or may pose, and sometimes even answer, life's larger questions, like:
- Why am I here? Why are we here?
- Are there other dimensions, and if so, what are they like?
- Can animals understand us, or do animals go to heaven?
- Are there really ghosts?
- Where do we go when we die?
- Why are some people evil?
- Is there life on other planets?
- Where is heaven?
- Why and where does God live?
CEDU Academics remains committed to providing a high quality, fully accredited academic component that fully supports the emotional growth of the students we serve.
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Al Tuch, Master Teacher
CEDU High School/CEDU Middle School Al was drawn to CEDU High School by its emotional growth emphasis. His own emotional growth pursuits led him to participate in Lifespring trainings in the late 1970?s and early 1980?s, where he completed all of their courses, and then went on to staff several of their basic and advanced courses. After careers in the car rental business, real estate, and two entrepreneurial enterprises, Al began his teaching career in 1996. Prior to coming to CEDU in June of 2001, he chaired the Mathematics department at Arrowhead Christian Academy, in addition to his teaching responsibilities. ?I love kids, teaching, and the pursuit of personal growth. CEDU is a perfect match for me.? Al holds bachelor?s degrees in Mathematics from Occidental College and Kinesiology and a Master of Education with an emphasis in teaching from California Baptist University. He currently holds a California Multiple Subjects credential as well as secondary credentials in Mathematics and Kinesiology. Al is the father to two daughters and two stepchildren, ranging in age from 13 to 21."
