Characteristics of Intelligent Behaviors

Christina Bailey

Intelligent Behavior

Intelligent behavior is a characteristic that all teachers should model, teach, and observe

developing in students

Drawing on Knowledge and Applying it

• Students should be drawing on knowledge and then applying it to new situations

• Teachers aim to prepare students for the real world in their classroom

• Students should apply school-learned knowledge to real-life situations

• Students should develop skills on how to use past knowledge and apply that knowledge to new situations

• Students must practice problem recognition, problem solving, and project-based learning

Example and Support• Example of characteristic: – problem recognition, problem solving, and project-

based learning• How to support this characteristic in your

classroom: – Using problem recognition in Language Arts if the

character in counters a problem in the story (have students identify the problem)

– Problem solving in Math– Project-based learning in areas of Language Arts,

History, Science, or Math (all subjects can be used for project-based learning)

Finding Humor• Humor releases creativity and provides high-level

thinking skills• Anticipation and visual imagery are formed• Having a sense of humor follows a

developmental sequence similar to what Piaget and Kohlberg used

• Initially, young children and immature adolescents find humor in wrong things such as racial humor or profane riddles

• Creative young people succeed on finding humor when problem solving.

Example and Support

• Example of characteristic: – Using jokes or riddles in Language Arts– Reading comical stories– Making up your own word problems in Math

• How to support this characteristic in your classroom: – Pick out books for students to read that you know are

entertaining– Use volunteered students names in Math word problems– Use jokes for editing punctuation (after you incorporate

errors into it)

Creating, Imagining, and Innovating

• All students must be encouraged to learn• Students should be discouraged from saying “I can’t” • Students must be encouraged to not rely on outside

sources • Teachers must offer constructive criticism in a way that

the student understands the criticism (and doesn’t take the criticism as how they view themselves)

• Students must learn to value feedback• Students must learn to value their intuition and realize

they are capable of learning anything

Example and Support

• Example of characteristic:– Incorporate assignments that value self expression– Use open ended questions where all answers are valued– Use encouraging remarks

• How to support this characteristic in your classroom: – Give writing assignments that let the student express their

personality and values– Use open ended questions where there is no wrong

answer– When a student is wrong, instead of saying “no” point out

something they said right or thank them for trying

Listening with Understanding and Empathy

• Psychologists believe that listening to others, empathizing others, and understanding points of view is one of the highest forms of intelligent behavior

• Empathic behavior is nearly the exact opposite of egoism (this is an important skill for conflict resolution)

• Listening and understanding thinking is used in class meetings, brainstorming sessions, think tanks, town meetings, advisory councils, board meetings, and legislative bodies

• Sharing thinking, exploring ideas, and broadening perspectives is done by listening to ideas and reactions of others

Example and Support

• Example of characteristic:– Using think tanks– Incorporating class meetings into the classroom– Brainstorming sessions

• How to support this characteristic in your classroom: – Using think tanks for Math for students to refer back to

throughout lesson– Performing class meetings for students to share their

opinions and ideas– Reminding students of how this will be valued in the

future for board meetings, town meetings, etc.

Managing Impulsivity• Students start out in school without impulsive control• Impulsive control is to develop an act of thinking before

doing• Impulsive behavior can make conflict worse• It can affect problem solving • Students can be taught to think before shouting out an

answer, wait their turn, raise their hands to be called on before answering, and think before beginning a project or task and before coming to a conclusion without the right evidence

• Research clearly indicates that the quality of one’s emotional intelligence is a significant prediction of success in the workplace

Example and Support• Example of characteristic:

– Waiting a turn in line– Raising hands– Taking time to think before answering– Not acting out when a student accuses another student of something

• How to support this characteristic in your classroom:– Routinely expect a show of student hands before acknowledging a

response to the question– Do not encourage shouting out (ignore that student)– Encouraging positive reactions (for example, if a student accuses

another student of something and the student doesn’t act out, compliment that student for thinking before acting)

– Show disapproval if a student continues to act out and not use their thinking skills before acting

Remaining Open to Continuous Learning

• Intelligent people are always learning• Always take in new information• Do not be firm in sticking to what you know and

follow• Take in new ideas from everyone if it is offered• Be eager to learn and find new ways.

Example and Support• Example of characteristic:– Taking in others ideas– Finding new ideas on your own– Not being afraid to try something that your not used

to (take responsible risks)• How to support this characteristic in your

classroom: – Try out other peoples ideas– Attend workshops and use what you have learned in

your classroom– Trying out other teachers techniques

Remember…

As a teacher, you want to strive for accuracy and take responsible risks

Be a good model for your students!

References

• EBOOK COLLECTION: Ch. 3 of Secondary School Teaching.