Are You Smarter Than You Thought?
What if we told you, you were probably the smartest kid in the classroom, and not once did you ever make the honor roll?
In fact, you could have been the smartest kid in the whole school, and not once in your educational experience did your name grace an honor roll certificate.
We’re not pulling your leg.
This kind of out-of-the-box thinking is exactly what we’re about at OSOTA, and even though we are huge supporters of all A’s and B’s, we don’t measure your scholar’s level of smartness by this form of recognition.
So how this is possible? How is it possible to be the smartest scholar in school and struggle each quarter in history or English?
It's through the theory of Multiple Intelligences developed by Dr. Howard Gardner.
We happen to know there are many ways a person can be smart, and it is not only measured by good grades in Math, Science, Social Studies, Language Arts or English.
Absolutely, it’s always important to get good grades in school, but it’s never okay to think you’re not smart because you don’t do as well as others.
The truth is, our scholars have interests, preferences, and skills that no one has ever paid attention to, and they are good at many things that don’t have tests or quizzes.
And these things STILL matter while in school... at least at OSOTA it matters.
Smart is a static word, a fixed word, a word that says this great thing has already happened, and can never occur again, and no matter how much a person tries to learn new things, he or she is either smart or not smart.
Myth debunked!
Q: What does Multiple Intelligences mean?
Having Multiple Intelligences means that you can be smart in many ways
This means that there is not just one kind of smart.
Multiple Intelligences changes the definition of smart.
It means having a growth mindset: you can always discover the ways you are smart and try to take on new challenges to achieve new goals and new levels.
Q: Why does OSOTA believe in Multiple Intelligences?
OSOTA believes in providing a school of excellence, creativity, innovation, honor and curiosity where the mind and heart are fully engaged.
Through this environment scholars will thrive, discover their true identity, and as a result, find themselves positioned for success as leaders in our culture.
This belief and mission tries to get rid of the idea that scholars are only smart in one or two ways.
OSOTA wants scholars to constantly try and discover what they know and what they can learn.
Learning should always happen, every day, and when scholars believe they are not smart in one subject, learning stops.
Q: How can this help my scholar in college or even as an adult?
The simple answer is that it unlocks the will to learn and to not accept limitations.
It allows scholars to become engaged with what they are learning in every stage, even if the teacher or career is not catering to their learning preferences.
Scholars seek out ways to become successful and they have tremendous grit and optimism about the subject before them.
It gets our scholars thinking more closely with the reality that they are fearfully and wonderfully made, and that they have something very important to do in this world.
Q: How can my scholar learn about what other intelligences he or she may have?
By taking the MIDAS early this month in class.
The MIDAS is a list of questions that asks your scholar about his or her interests & preferences
After he or she is finished taking the MIDAS, scholars' teachers will receive an email that sorts out all answers.
Administration will then prepare an intriguing profile for families that is both informative and fluid in offering a new perspective that confirms, educates, and inspires.
Q: Why does any of this matter?
Most schools traditionally only put value (and test for) verbal and math smartness. FOr example, if you did not attend OSOTA, your whole school life, you may have never had the chance to see what else you’re smart in and how it could have HELPED you in the traditional subjects.
If scholars begin to believe they are also smart in other areas, their entire outlook about what they can do changes.
This means scholars can collaborate, create, and innovate with confidence.
