Download - EXERPT Releasing Genius in the Classroom
Classroom Connections
Learning… Linking…Leading
Presents
A Professional Development Series
for Educators
Presenter:Jacqueline (Jacky) Ledgister-Bethell
© 2004
Releasing the Genius in Every Child
Objectives By the end of this presentation you will
be able to:
Explain the origin of the word “genius”
Offer a different view of the word “genius”
List the qualities of a genius
Explore ways to release the genius in every child
“Genius”? Ancient Roman culture: a guardian spirit that protected individuals
Comes from Greek & Latin words which mean “to beget”, “to be born” or “come into being”
It closely relates to the word “genesis”
It is linked to the word “genial” which means (among other things) “festive”, “enlivening” or “jovial”
Defining Genius Armstrong (1998):
Generally speaking, “genius” means “giving birth to one’s joy”
Educationally speaking, “genius” means “giving birth to the joy in learning”
Genius & Education Armstrong suggests:
“ giving birth to the joy in learning” … is the central task of all educators. … the genius of the student is the driving force behind all learning. Before educators take on… issues in learning, they must have a thorough understanding of what lies at the core of each student’s intrinsic motivation to learn…that originates in each student’s genius.”
Genius & Education cont’d Armstrong continues:
“The genius is a symbol for an individual’s potential: all that a person may be that lies locked inside during the early years of development. So, when we say as educators that we want to help students to develop their potential, …. we want to assist them in finding their inner genius….”
Every Child is a Genius
The 12 Qualities of a Genius
Armstrong:
1. Curiosity
2. Playfulness
3. Imagination
4. Creativity
5. Wonder
6. Wisdom
Qualities of a Genius cont’d
7. Inventiveness
8. Vitality
9. Sensitivity
10. Flexibility
11. Humor
12. Joy
So What Dims this Genius? Effect of Home (1) emotional dysfunction
(2) poverty (3) fast-paced life (4) rigid structure
Effect of School (1) rigid resting & grading
(2) labeling (3) tedium
Effect of Media (1) stereotypical images
(2) insipid language (3) mediocre content
Releasing the Genius in Every Child
Step 1: Reawaken your own Genius Evaluate our own lives for the genius qualities-vitality, joy creativity, wonder…and ask which are still burning and which have been dimmed
Remind yourself of what used to fill your life with interest and passion and …….. “get into the flow”
Step 2. Offer Genius Activities in Your Classroom
Draw out the genius in your students by providing simple activities and materials which will stimulate, inspire, delight and excite: Historical relics
Recordings of significant music
Miniature models of inventions
Personal memorabilia
Field trips
A fascinating visitor
Simple machines
Magic tricks
Step 3. Create a Genial “Climate” In Your Classroom
More important than the activities and materials, is the general attitude and overall atmosphere of the classroom
1. Freedom of choice within boundaries
2. Open-ended exploration
3. Freedom from judgment
4. Honoring Every Students’ Experience
5. Believing in Every Student’ Genius
Step 4: Remember that Genius can be expressed in many ways
1. Linguistic Intelligence: bookworm, poet, orator, trivia expert, super speller, playwright
2. Logical-Mathematical Intelligence: computer whiz, math/science whiz, the rationalist, the chess player
3. Spatial Intelligence: inventor, artist, cartoonist, photographer, designer, mechanical whiz, daydreamer, map maker
4. Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence: athlete, dancer, actor, craftsperson, sculptor,gymnast, hands-on learner
5. Musical Intelligence: singer, songwriter, player of an instrument, rapper, the musical library, the acute listener
6. Interpersonal Intelligence: natural leader, class mediator, negotiator, manipulator, social director, the sympathetic friend
7. Intrapersonal Intelligence: entrepreneur, freelance, the visionary, reflective thinker, futurist
8. Naturalist Intelligence: expert on any flora/fauna, nature enthusiast, pet lover, collector, scout
Conclusion
By now, you should :
Have a revised definition of the word “genius”
Be able to recognize the qualities of a genius and the different expressions
Be able to describe the process to release the genius in every child!