Intelligence

Intelligence is the ability to acquire and use knowledge. Even though I am in love with learning I haven’t thought too much about intelligence before. Maybe the reason is I have always been afraid of my IQ. I have never taken an IQ test, to be honest I have been afraid of finding out what my IQ is. I’ve always done well in school, therefore, I feel like I am smart, but I have noticed that I learn slower than others. I think I have been afraid of finding out I have only an average IQ or worse a little bit below average?!    

I do like knowing that intelligence isn’t static (up until recently I think I thought it was) and that we can always improve our intelligence! Maybe this comforting and empowering knowledge will give me the courage to find out what my current IQ baseline is and then I can begin a more structured quest to improve my IQ. 

I think it is important that we as teachers recognize that intelligence isn’t static. We will treat our students differently if we remember the incredible potential they have (even, no, especially the slower learners)  for acquiring knowledge.   

Daniel Goleman believes that emotional intelligence is the most important type of intelligence to develop. He points out in his book Emotional Intelligence that a high IQ alone doesn’t guarantee success and happiness.

 

To help my students develop emotional intelligence I will talk to them about emotional intelligence. I can show them the marshmallow experiment (I discovered it has Spanish subtitles!)  

Also, I will let my students know from day 1 (and continue to remind them throughout the semester how wonderful it is to be able to gain an education-especially to learn a second language! I will let them know it will open many doors of opportunity but I will let them know that ultimately the responsibility rests with them. I will do my very best as a teacher to come prepared and excited to teach but they will have to do their part, too. (Step 3: Self-motivation).

I can connect the topic of emotional intelligence to Spanish by teaching or reviewing the vocabulary that deals with emotions. As the students learn these words they will be able to explain in Spanish the emotions they feel. (Step 1: Recognize own emotions).

 We can then go on to talk about the importance of learning to control our emotions and how ultimately we are the ones who get to choose how we feel. We shouldn't blame others for our negative emotions because we are, or can be, in control of how we feel. I can give them the examples of Corrie ten Boom and Victor  Frankl.
 
"Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom." 

“Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of human freedoms - tochoose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way.”
Victor  Frankl 

I can help them see how empowering it is to realize that they can be in control.
 
I can have them write and possibly act out scenarios in Spanish that contrast people in charge of their own emotions versus people who are not. (Step 2: Manage own emotions)

“Estoy frustrado porque no recibí una nota buena en mi examen de matemáticas. Me gustaría tener un mejor maestro. Mi maestro no sabe cómo enseñar.” 

“Estoy frustrado porque no recibí una nota buena en mi examen de matemáticas. Tengo que esforzarme más. Tengo que pedir ayuda al maestro.”

As the students learn to recognize their own emotions they should be able to recognize the emotions of others. I also think our cultural lessons will help them learn to have empathy and try to understand the emotions and ideas of others.(Step 4: Recognize others’ emotions). 

The group work we do in class will give my students opportunities to work on their relationships with others. I will try also to have a good working relationship with each student. (Step 5: Handle relationships).

Whereas, I haven't thought much about intelligence in the past, I hope I can learn more about this fascinating topic in the future. I've added Daniel Goleman to my list of authors to read and I've added taking an IQ test to my "to do" list.