Children learn in many ways, and it is important to discover how to connect and teach each child. Propeller Academy educates the whole child through a Biblical worldview, and uses innovative approaches to engage each unique student. We want the learning experience to produce deeper understanding than simple subject matter knowledge. We believe that everyone is different, has talents and is smart. A great education should help students to discover and develop their God-given potential – spiritually, intellectually, socially and physically.
We integrate several tools that can enrich the learning experiences of students:
- Multiple Intelligences Approach
- Sensory/Perceptual Approach
- Personality Approach
- Strengths-based Approach (middle school)
Multiple Intelligences Approach
The theory of Multiple Intelligences (MI), conceived by Harvard University Professor Howard Gardner in 1988, will be used as a tool for teaching and learning at Propeller Academy. By capitalizing on each students’ strengths, our unique learning approach creates a deep level of understanding that allows children to apply learning in new ways.
Our teachers create opportunities for children to learn and express what is learned through eight different intelligences: Linguistic, Logical-Mathematical, Interpersonal, Intrapersonal, Bodily-Kinesthetic, Musical, Naturalist and Spatial.
MI is a tool for instruction. Not every lesson needs to incorporate MI, but it is a useful and routine aspect of instruction.
| Image | Intelligence | Definition | Examples of people who display this intelligence type: |
|---|---|---|---|
 | People Smart (Interpersonal intelligence) | the ability to understand people and relationships | Martin Luther King, Jr. Ronald Reagan Oprah Winfrey |
 | Self Smart (Intrapersonal intelligence) | access to one's emotional life as a means to understand oneself and others | Bill Cosby Anne Frank Eleanor Roosevelt |
 | Logic Smart (Mathematical intelligence) | the ability to handle chains of reasoning and to recognize patterns and order | Benjamin Banneker Bill Gates Stephen Jay Gould |
 | Body Smart (Bodily-Kinesthetic intelligence) | the ability to use the body skillfully and handle objects adroitly | Mia Hamm Harry Houdini Michael Jordan |
 | Image Smart (visual-spatial intelligence) | the ability to perceive the world accurately and to recreate or transform aspects of that world | Maya Lin Peter Max Frank Lloyd Wright |
 | Word Smart (Linguistic intelligence) | sensitivity to the meaning and order of words | Mario Cuomo Barbara Jordan Tom Brokaw |
 | Sound Smart (Musical-rhythmic intelligence) | sensitivity to pitch, melody, rhythm and tone | Louis Armstrong George Gershwin Yo Yo Ma |
 | Nature Smart (Naturalist intelligence) | the ability to recognize and classify the numerous species, the flora and fauna, of an environment | Jane Goodall John Muir Theodore Roosevelt |
Sensory/Perceptual Approach
It is important to consider how a child absorbs information from the environment, curriculum, and a teacher. Important to the visual learner are images, written words and what is seen. Important to the auditory learner are spoken words, sounds, and what is heard or said. Important to the kinesthetic learner are emotions, actions, movement, tastes, smells, and what is felt.
Personality Approach
What kinds of questions does a child ask concerning what s/he is learning? How does s/he relate to content? It is essential to take a child’s God-given joys, talents, skills, and personality into account as they learn.
Relational Learners wonder: How do I make this learning meaningful to me? Do you care about me as a learner? This learner values connections and heart.
Skills Learners requests the following: Tell me what I need to know. Let me practice what I have learned. Let me do a good job. This learner values tradition.
Concepts Learners ask: May I work on my own? Do you, as a teacher, know more than I? Do you value the very good job I am doing? This learner values justice and fairness.
Adaptations Learners sound like: If you make a rule, how can I change it to make it better? Is this going to be fun? How can I use this later? This learner values enjoyment.
Strengths Approach
The strengths based learning movement has been gaining ground for 40 years through the emergence of positive psychology. Strengths assessments can define what makes your child wonderfully unique. Around middle school age, it is possible to discover and develop the unique talents within them.