Lesson Plan
What Makes Us Smart?
Students will be able to define and differentiate between various theories of intelligence, reflect on their own intellectual strengths, and understand the practical implications of a broadened view of intelligence.
Understanding diverse intelligence theories helps students appreciate their unique strengths and those of others, fostering self-awareness and empathy crucial for personal growth and collaborative environments.
Audience
12th Grade Students
Time
30 Minutes
Approach
Through discussion, reflection, and an interactive activity, students will explore intelligence theories.
Materials
Smart Starts Warm-Up (what-makes-us-smart-warm-up), What's Your Smart? Activity (what-makes-us-smart-activity), Reflection Journal (what-makes-us-smart-journal), Exit Ticket Cool Down (what-makes-us-smart-cool-down), and What Makes Us Smart? Slide Deck (what-makes-us-smart-slide-deck)
Prep
Teacher Preparation
10 Minutes
- Review the Lesson Plan and all generated materials (Smart Starts Warm-Up, What's Your Smart? Activity, Reflection Journal, Exit Ticket Cool Down, What Makes Us Smart? Slide Deck).
- Ensure projector/screen is set up for the What Makes Us Smart? Slide Deck.
- Print copies of the What's Your Smart? Activity and Reflection Journal if physical copies are preferred, or prepare for digital distribution.
- Have markers or pens available for student use during the activity.
Step 1
Warm-Up: Smart Starts
5 Minutes
- Begin by displaying the Smart Starts Warm-Up on the board or distribute copies.
- Ask students to quickly jot down their initial thoughts on the prompt: "What does it mean to be 'smart'?"
- Briefly discuss a few student responses, encouraging a variety of ideas without judgment. (Refer to What Makes Us Smart? Slide Deck - Slide 1)
Step 2
Introduction to Intelligence Theories
10 Minutes
- Transition to the What Makes Us Smart? Slide Deck, starting from Slide 2.
- Present an overview of different intelligence theories (e.g., Gardner's Multiple Intelligences, Sternberg's Triarchic Theory).
- Facilitate a short discussion, asking students if any of these theories resonate with their own experiences or observations. Encourage them to consider how these theories broaden the traditional view of intelligence. (Refer to What Makes Us Smart? Slide Deck - Slides 2-4)
Step 3
Activity: What's Your Smart?
10 Minutes
- Distribute the What's Your Smart? Activity.
- Explain that students will reflect on their own strengths and identify which intelligence types they feel they excel in, providing examples.
- Allow students to work individually or in pairs to complete the activity.
- Circulate around the room to offer support and answer questions. (Refer to What Makes Us Smart? Slide Deck - Slide 5)
Step 4
Share and Reflect
3 Minutes
- Bring the class back together.
- Ask a few volunteers to share one type of intelligence they identified in themselves and why.
- Emphasize that intelligence is diverse and valuable in many forms. (Refer to What Makes Us Smart? Slide Deck - Slide 6)
Step 5
Cool-Down: Exit Ticket
2 Minutes
- Distribute the Exit Ticket Cool Down.
- Students should answer the question: "Name one new perspective on intelligence you gained today."
- Collect the exit tickets as students leave. (Refer to What Makes Us Smart? Slide Deck - Slide 7)
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Slide Deck
What Makes Us Smart?
Smart Starts Warm-Up
What does it mean to be 'smart'? Jot down your initial thoughts.
(We'll discuss this together in a moment!)
Welcome students and introduce the day's topic. Explain that we're going to challenge our ideas about what it means to be 'smart.' Display the warm-up question.
Beyond One Idea of 'Smart'
Traditionally, intelligence was often measured by a single test score.
But is that the whole picture?
Today, we'll explore different theories that suggest intelligence is much more diverse than we might think!
Transition from the warm-up. Acknowledge that people have many different ideas about intelligence. Introduce the idea that psychology offers various theories that expand on these ideas.
Gardner's Multiple Intelligences
Howard Gardner proposed that people aren't just intelligent in one way, but in many different ways!
- Linguistic (Word Smart)
- Logical-Mathematical (Number/Reasoning Smart)
- Spatial (Picture Smart)
- Bodily-Kinesthetic (Body Smart)
- Musical (Music Smart)
- Interpersonal (People Smart)
- Intrapersonal (Self Smart)
- Naturalist (Nature Smart)
Introduce Howard Gardner's theory of Multiple Intelligences. Go through a few examples, asking students to think about how these apply to people they know or even themselves.
Sternberg's Triarchic Theory
Robert Sternberg suggested three types of intelligence that work together:
- Analytical Intelligence: Problem-solving, academic smarts (like what's tested in school).
- Creative Intelligence: Generating new ideas, dealing with novel situations.
- Practical Intelligence: Adapting to real-world situations, "street smarts," everyday problem-solving.
Introduce Robert Sternberg's Triarchic Theory as another perspective, highlighting its practical application. Compare and contrast briefly with Gardner's.
Activity: What's Your Smart?
Now it's your turn to reflect!
Using your What's Your Smart? Activity handout:
- Think about your strengths.
- Identify which intelligence types you feel you excel in.
- Provide an example for each.
There are no right or wrong answers – it's about understanding yourself!
Explain the upcoming activity. Emphasize honest self-reflection and that there are no 'right' or 'wrong' answers. Give instructions for the 'What's Your Smart? Activity'.
Celebrating Diverse Smarts!
Let's share some of our insights!
- What intelligence type did you identify as a strength?
- How might recognizing different types of intelligence help us in school, careers, and life?
Facilitate a short discussion, asking a few students to share their reflections. Reinforce the main takeaway: intelligence is diverse and valuable in all its forms.
Wrapping Up: Exit Ticket
On your Exit Ticket Cool Down:
Name one new perspective on intelligence you gained today.
(Turn this in before you leave!)
Introduce the cool-down/exit ticket. Explain its purpose and collect them.
Warm Up
Smart Starts: What Does "Smart" Mean to You?
Take a moment to think about what the word "smart" means. What qualities or abilities come to mind when you describe someone as smart?
Write down your initial thoughts below.
Activity
What's Your Smart? Exploring Your Intellectual Strengths
Think about the different theories of intelligence we discussed, like Gardner's Multiple Intelligences and Sternberg's Triarchic Theory.
Reflect on your own skills, talents, and how you learn and solve problems best. Then, complete the sections below.
Part 1: My Top 3 Multiple Intelligences (Inspired by Gardner)
Identify three areas from Gardner's Multiple Intelligences where you feel you are strongest. For each, describe why you chose it and provide a specific example of how you demonstrate that intelligence in your daily life, hobbies, or schoolwork.
1. Intelligence Type:
- Why I chose this:
- Example:
2. Intelligence Type:
- Why I chose this:
- Example:
3. Intelligence Type:
- Why I chose this:
- Example:
Part 2: Applying Sternberg's Theories
Consider Sternberg's Triarchic Theory (Analytical, Creative, Practical Intelligence). In which of these three areas do you feel you shine the most, and why? Give an example.
My Strongest Triarchic Intelligence:
- Which one? (Analytical, Creative, or Practical)
- Why I think so:
- Example:
Journal
Intelligence Unleashed: A Personal Reflection Journal
Prompt 1: Beyond the Test Score
Before today, how did you typically define "intelligence"? Has your understanding changed after exploring different theories like Gardner's Multiple Intelligences or Sternberg's Triarchic Theory? Explain how your perspective may have broadened or shifted.
Prompt 2: Valuing All Smarts
Think about a time when a particular type of intelligence (e.g., musical, bodily-kinesthetic, practical) was crucial for success in a situation, even if it wasn't traditionally valued in an academic setting. Describe the situation and explain why that specific intelligence was so important.
Prompt 3: Personal Growth
How might recognizing your own unique intellectual strengths (and those of others) help you in your future academic pursuits, career choices, or personal relationships? What is one action you can take to further develop an intelligence you feel less strong in?
Cool Down
Exit Ticket: My New "Smart" Idea
Name one new perspective or idea about intelligence that you gained today during our discussion and activity.