Multiple Intelligences

At St-Laurent Academy Elementary & Junior High, we are guided by the Multiple Intelligences Theory (MI Theory), developed by Howard Gardner, a professor of Education at Harvard, in 1983. The MI Theory has been well researched by educators since then, and has enjoyed a great deal of success over the past 25 years.

Each child embodies varying levels of these different intelligences, and thus each student has a unique cognitive profile. Traditionally, schools have almost exclusively emphasized the development of logical intelligence and linguistic intelligence (mainly reading & writing). We believe that students are better served by a broader vision of education.

Our teachers use different methodologies, exercises and activities to engage all students, not just those who excel at linguistic and logical intelligence. We strive to provide opportunities for our students to use and develop all the different intelligences, and their natural talents.

Teachers present their lessons in a wide variety of ways such as; using music, cooperative learning, discussions, hands-on, art activities, role play, multimedia, field trips, kinetic activities, and inner reflection, to address the full range of intelligences.

Gardner says that we should also place equal attention on individuals, who show gifts in the other intelligences: the artists, architects, musicians, naturalists, designers, dancers, therapists, entrepreneurs, and others who enrich the world in which we live. Children with these gifts can be neglected in a traditional school, which uses a heavily linguistic or logical-mathematical methodology. They often find school boring, and may end up being labeled as underachievers.

At St-Laurent Academy, school takes on a whole different meaning for children as they become fully engaged in all subjects - school becomes fun and rewarding!

Gardner has identified eight basic types of intelligence:

• linguistic (“word” smart)

• logical and mathematical (“number & reasoning” smart)

• spatial (“picture” smart)

• musical (“music” smart)

• kinesthetic (“body” smart)

• interpersonal (“people” smart)

• intrapersonal (“self” smart)