What is intelligence?

According to Dr Howard Gardner (1983), ‘An intelligence entails the ability to solve problems or fashion products that are of consequence in a particular cultural setting or community.’

Multiple intelligences are a powerful and empowering tool as they allow learners to learn what they really need. They describe skills, potential and preferences. Multiple intelligences do not work alone in the learning process, they work in conjunction with learning styles and thinking skills. Mike Fleetham states, ‘Learning styles are the different ways in which a learner takes in information. Thinking skills are the different ways in which a learner processes, stores and retrieves information. Multiple intelligences are the different skills and talents a learner uses to make products and solve problems – to demonstrate learning.’

There are eight multiple intelligences that we will focus on and we have called our intelligences ‘wise’ to ensure that everybody clearly understands that this is not an academic focus but a further development of learning behaviours and how we approach the way in which pupils learn. The multiple intelligences are:

• Body Wise (Kinaesthetic Intelligence)

• Logic Wise (Logical/Mathematical Intelligence)

• Music Wise (Musical Intelligence)

• Word Wise (Verbal/Linguistic Intelligence)

• Visual Wise (Spatial Intelligence)

• Self-Wise (Interpersonal Intelligence)

• People Wise (Intrapersonal Intelligence)

• Nature Wise (Naturalist Intelligence)

There are four different approaches to how multiple intelligences can support teaching and learning. They are:

• building on strengths;

• developing talents;

• enhancing understanding;

• solving problems.

At Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School, these are the cornerstones of our Multiple Intelligences.

• Everyone is WISE (Wonderfully, Intelligent, Skilful, Experimenters) in their own unique way.

• There are at least eight ways to be wise.

• Our intelligences combine and work together.

• Everyone has each intelligence.

• Intelligences can develop and grow.

• All year groups have key definitions related to their abilities.

Our Catchphrase is:

                                      Everyone is WISE!                                              (Wonderfully Intelligent Skilful Experimenters)