Promoting Multiple Intelligences

Greetings!

Many of us are aware of fact that there are multiple intelligences.  Schools are stagnating these various intelligences in the name of academics.  Often times students are removed from art, music, PE in order to achieve success on state standardized test.  Art, Music, Dance and Industrial Arts are placed at the bottom of the educational totem pole.  Yet, skills for the 21st century will demand our students to be critical thinkers and synthesize their knowledge in creating something new.  Sir Ken Robinson is saying in our schools today we are literally destroying the creative nature of our students.  Are we biting off the hand that will eventually feed our students?

Personally, I can not imagine a world without art, music and people who can fix my car, build my homes, design my clothes and cut my hair.  I need and want those people in my life.  I believe all of us our meant to be creators in some fashion or another.  We need to find ways for our students to explore and tune their many gifts.  Finding mentors for students in the arts is one way.  Teachers promoting skills of creativity in technology is wonderful.  Technology is tremendous and can provide for one avenue of creativity. There is still something said for students to create using materials around them or their very own bodies. We as educators must allow for creativity in many ways.  Focus schools may be able to provide some answers to multiple intelligences.  Skyping of mentors could be another.

My husband and I recently went to a concert performed by Buddy Guy.  During his concert he introduced an extremely talented musician. His name is Quinn Sullivan.  He brought the audience to their feet.  He is thirteen years old.  Buddy met Quinn when he was 7 years old.  Quinn came to see Buddy in concert and it was arranged that this 7 year old would come on stage and play a few chords.  So Buddy thought.  Quinn blew him away by repeating what Buddy played.  Buddy became this young artist mentor.  He has encouraged and worked with him.  Quinn has gone out on tour with Buddy for the past 2 years.  How sad it would be NOT to recognize such talent. I have included some videos of Quinn, one of his performance with Buddy at seven and another more current.  Be prepared to be AWESTRUCK!