iSmart

Welcome to iSmart, the exclusive talented and gifted program at Horizon Christian Elementary School.  Based on the theory of Multiple Intelligences first developed by Howard Gardner, this program highlights a student's "smarts" or learning strengths through assessment, interactive learning, special projects, field trips and community service.

Horizon Christian Elementary School believes that EVERY student is talented and gifted, providing opportunities for all upper grade students to assess, develop and expand their area of '"Smart" while exploring all 8 kinds of Smart.

Beginning with introduction, exploration and assessment in 4th grade, Horizon students participate in special programs focused in their top two areas of Smart. As students advance to 5th and 6th grade they are grouped together with each other according to their strongest areas of "Smart" and participate in two different four-week long "modules" facilitated by a campus "expert"(a staff member especially gifted in that area of Smart).

Each iSmart module guides students in exploring, enhancing and celebrating their kind of Smart through special guest speakers, demonstrations, off-campus experiences and community service projects.

Horizon's iSmart allows students to grow in confidence knowing that they are deliberately and beautifully made by our Creator and can look brightly toward the future knowing that because of their God-designed strengths they will not only succeed but excel in academics and in life.

What "Smart" are you?

Body Smart: Bodily-Kinesthetic. This area has to do with bodily movement and physiology. In theory, people who have bodily-kinesthetic intelligence should learn better by involving muscular movement (e.g. getting up and moving around into the learning experience), and are generally good at physical activities such as sports or dance. They may enjoy acting or performing, and in general they are good at building and making things. They often learn best by doing something physically, rather than by reading or hearing about it. Those with strong bodily-kinesthetic intelligence seem to use what might be termed muscle memory - they remember things through their body such as verbal memory or images.

Math Smart: Logical-Mathematical. This area has to do with logic, abstractions, reasoning, and numbers. While it is often assumed that those with this intelligence naturally excel in mathematics, chess, computer programming and other logical or numerical activities, a more accurate definition places emphasis on traditional mathematical ability and more reasoning capabilities, abstract patterns of recognition, scientific thinking and investigation, and the ability to perform complex calculations. It correlates strongly with traditional concepts of "intelligence" or IQ. 

Music Smart: Musical. This area has to do with rhythm, music, and hearing. Those who have a high level of musical-rhythmic intelligence display greater sensitivity to sounds, rhythms, tones and music. They normally have good pitch and may even have absolute pitch and are able to sing, play musical instruments, and compose music. Since there is a strong auditory component to this intelligence, those who are strongest in it may learn best via lecture. Language skills are typically highly developed in those whose base intelligence is musical. In addition, they will sometimes use songs or rhythms to learn and memorize information.

Nature Smart: Naturalistic. This area has to do with nurturing and relating information to one's natural environment. This type of intelligence was not part of Gardner's original theory of Multiple Intelligences, but was added to the theory in 1997. Those with it are said to have greater sensitivity to nature and their place within it, the ability to nurture and grow things, and greater ease in caring for, taming and interacting with animals. They may also be able to discern changes in weather or similar fluctuations in their natural surroundings. They are also good at recognizing and classifying different species. They must connect a new experience with prior knowledge to truly learn something new.

People Smart: Interpersonal. This area has to do with interaction with others. In theory, people who have a high interpersonal intelligence tend to be extroverts, characterized by their sensitivity to others' moods, feelings, temperaments and motivations, and their ability to cooperate in order to work as part of a group. They communicate effectively and empathize easily with others, and may be either leaders or followers. They typically learn best by working with others and often enjoy discussion and debate.

Self Smart: Interpersonal. This area has to do with introspective and self-reflective capacities. People with interpersonal intelligence are intuitive and typically introverted. They are skillful at deciphering their own feelings and motivations. This refers to having a deep understanding of the self; what are your strengths/ weaknesses, what makes you unique, can you predict your own reactions/ emotions.

Word Smart: Verbal-Linguistic. This area has to do with words, spoken or written. People with high verbal-linguistic intelligence display a facility with words and languages. They are typically good at reading, writing, telling stories and memorizing words along with dates. They tend to learn best by reading, taking notes, listening to lectures, and discussion and debate. They are also frequently skilled at explaining, teaching and oration or persuasive speaking. Those with verbal-linguistic intelligence learn foreign languages very easily as they have high verbal memory and recall, and an ability to understand and manipulate syntax and structure.