Theory of Multiple Intelligence unlocks Extraordinary Minds

Dream Middle School seeks to assure that each student:

• Develops an understanding of self in relation to others.
• Demonstrates a passion for learning.
• Knows personal learning styles (Dr. Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligence).
• Can demonstrate a high level of competence in each area of the curriculum.
• Transfers curriculum to solve a problem and create a product relevant to their culture.
• Thinks creatively and can express self.
• Becomes a responsible citizen who participates actively in the community exemplifying the virtues.

Virtues: The Gifts of Character

Dream Middle School concurs with Dr. Gardner's definition of intelligence as "the ability to find and solve problems and create products of value in one's culture".  At Dream Middle School, problem solving is the ability to locate and pursue appropriate routes to a desired goal.

Each child is a unique individual who must be valued for his/her individuality.  Each person possesses eight different intelligences (or learning styles).  These intelligences are:

• verbal/linguistic............................. word smart
• logical/mathematical......... ............ logical/math smart
• visual/spatial........................ ........ art/space smart
• musical/rhythmic........................... music smart
• bodily kinesthetic.......................... body smart
• natural intelligence........................ nature smart
• interpersonal................................. people smart
• intrapersonal................................. self smart

Multiple Intelligence is a cognitive theory that states that each individual has varying levels of the 8 intelligences and thus each student uses a unique cognitive profile to learn.  Dream Middle School (DMS) presents challenging academics in a variety of ways (intelligences) ensuring that learning is relevant to every student.  At Dream Middle School, students learn to customize all information to match their personal cognitive profile.  Dream Middle School students know who they are and how they learn.  Dream Middle School students will succeed in high school, college, and more importantly life.

The Program- Teaching for Understanding

Dream Middle School provides a supportive, stimulating environment where students use sophisticated forms of thinking that include generalizing, reasoning, predicting, and classifying, comparing, contrasting and seeking evidence to support a hypothesis or idea.

It is our goal at Dream Middle School to teach for understanding (not just test scores).  The professional teaching team will achieve this goal by:

• Modeling: The teacher will provide knowledge or insight by presenting a multiple intelligence lesson (relevant to students).  The teacher will lead the learning process in an attempt to meet predetermined goals and academic objectives.
• Inquiry: The teacher will guide the students to solve a relevant problem by asking questions, investigating methods and discussing cause and effect relationships.
• Collaboration: The teacher will facilitate meaningful discussions and active problem solving to gain understanding of a given topic.

At Dream Middle School, curriculum concepts are represented in a variety of ways to allow for individual differences and provide a greater opportunity for understanding.  For example, when teaching Boyle’s Law (Science Concept), the Dream Middle School teacher:

• gives a written definition (linguistic intelligence)
• gives the students a mathematical equation (logical-mathematical intelligence)
• has the students fill their mouth with air and then squeeze it to release the air (bodily kinesthetic intelligence)
• has the students stand in a group and then step closer and closer (interpersonal intelligence)
• has the students think of a time when they had to go from multiple lines to one (intrapersonal)
• has the students picture squeezing a pimple on their face  (visual-spatial intelligence and intra personal intelligence)
• has the students sing the definition to the tune of a familiar song (musical rhythmic intelligence)
• has the students think about a diver coming up from a dive (naturalist intelligence)

Students are Grouped by Ability

At the Dream School all students are considered “gifted”… because they are.  Students are grouped by ability to optimize their learning experience.  During core subjects students move to the level of their academic performance, not simply their grade level dictated by age.  For example, a grade 2 student who is excelling in mathematics may move to a higher grade level during the math period. 

View Our Dream Middle School Brochure

Theory of Multiple Intelligence Unlocks Extraordinary Minds

Multiple Intelligence is a cognitive theory that states that each individual has varying levels of the 8 intelligences and thus each student uses a unique cognitive profile to learn.  Dream Middle School (DMS) presents challenging academics in a variety of ways (intelligences) ensuring that learning is relevant to every student.  At DMS, students learn to customize all information to match their personal cognitive profile.  Dream Middle School students know who they are and how they learn.  DMS students will succeed in high school, college, and more importantly life.

Dream Middle School Graduates are accepted into advanced placement classes, IB and Magnet Programs, as well as renowned boarding & private high schools.  Graduates are passionate learners, academically advanced and role models in our community. View our Standardized Test Results
 

Extraordinary Middle School

• Small classes in a tranquil, spa atmosphere (water wall & classical music, reflection area)
• On average students score 3 grade levels ahead
• Advances placement classes including Algebra 1 & Geometry
• Each student uses a customized laptop in all academic classes in addition to a Dell laptop computer lab
• Science fair judged by Dr. Harry Orf of Scripps
• Speech & Debate, Drama & Improv, Spanish classes
• Award Winning Fine Arts in 1,000 sq. ft. art studio
• Intro to business w/student operated school store
• Student government responsible for Town Meetings, Friday restaurant lunches, dances, trips public relations, and student lounge.
• Daily outside recess, P.E. & yoga classes
• Community Service e.g. soup kitchen, Special Olympics, peer tutoring
• Students featured on WPTV News special helping differently-abled artist Gille Legacy
• Emotional Intelligence:  “Heat to Heart” Strategies for Successful Teenagers “Top 20 Teens” 80/20 Rule
• Health Education Program presented by professional psychologist for parents & students