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We made our own contraption to calculate speed, by recording distance and time. These kids melt our 💚💛s

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On a beautiful, sunny, spring day, there is no better classroom than the outdoors! We took our math class outside for this lesson on measurement using both the metric and customary units. Students jumped from a starting line and marked the distance they jumped using chalk and place markers. They then measured their jump distances using feet, inches, centimeters, and millimeters. This activity got us all outside and moving -we 💛ed it!! ☀️☀️

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Stained glass windows are a creative, artistic way to teach unit fractions in math. 4th graders can create their own stained glass window using "unit fraction" pieces of 1" by 1" tissue paper, construction paper, wax paper, and glue. The kids love getting hands on with this activity and it creates a beautiful display for your windows! I love being able to bring art into the classroom, especially math. These two subjects are not mutually exclusive and students benefit from experiencing them together. 🎨👨🏽‍🎨👩🏻‍🎨👨🏾‍🏫👩🏼‍🏫➕➖

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90 degrees & sunny?! We headed outside to a local baseball field to practice our math multiplication facts, through the game of Twister. Who said math had to be boring?!

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I love creating "dead" words for students as they progress in their writing abilities. There are inexhaustible word choices, and students should challenge themselves to find the most descriptive, specific terms possible.

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Are you smarter than your favorite NFL player? Take this test!

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Are you smarter than your favorite NFL player? Take this test!

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This is one of my favorite activities to do with 5th-6th grade students. NFL players take this assessment, which tests for intellectual and problem-solving abilities. The best part -many of these questions come from standards taught in early middle school grades. What a fun way for students to make a connection between their learning and pro-athletes!

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Test Your Wonderlic Score vs. Football Stars

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Think you're smarter than your favorite football player? Take this sample wonderlic test to find out!

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Sequenced Writing -4th Grade Holiday Traditions

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Sequenced Writing -4th Grade Holiday Traditions

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We all have many different holiday traditions, and I love being able to read all about our students’ Christmas day festivities! Some students spend time with extended family, while others open presents with their immediate family and spend the day enjoying some much needed relaxation. This activity allows students to work on sequence writing, through a sequenced writing assignment 💁🏼. Students start by working on a graphic organizer to clearly state the order in which activities take place throughout their Christmas Day. This allows students to identify the order of events and timeframe for each activity.

The next day we use our graphic organizers to help us write an essay on our Christmas traditions, focusing on ordering events and, of course, punctuation, grammar, and sentence structure. We create a cover page for our essays by drawing our favorite part of our Christmas tradition.

Students absolutely love sharing their unique, special traditions with one another!

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Fascinating read on the value and differences in traditional intellectual intelligence (IQ) and emotional intelligence (EQ). I love the value placed on EQ and various intelligences that we possess!

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What's more important in determining life success-book smarts or street smarts? This question gets at the heart of an important debate contrasting the relative importance of cognitive intelligence (IQ) and emotional intelligence (EQ).

Proponents of so-called "book smarts" might suggest that IQ plays the most critical role in determining how well people fare in life. Those who advocate for the importance of what might be called "street smarts" would instead suggest that EQ is even more important.

This article compares IQ vs. EQ and how the two are different. It also discusses how EQ is measured, potential biases that may exist, and what you can do to improve your EQ.

Understanding the IQ vs. EQ Debate

In his book Emotional Intelligence, author and psychologist Daniel Goleman suggested that EQ (or emotional intelligence quotient) might actually be more important than IQ. Why? Some psychologists believe that standard measures of intelligence (i.e. IQ scores) are too narrow and do not encompass the full range of human intelligence.

The psychologist Howard Gardner, for example, has suggested that intelligence is not simply a single general ability. Instead, he suggests that there are actually multiple intelligences and that people may have strengths in a number of these areas.

Instead of focusing on a single, general intelligence, usually called the g factor, some experts believe that the ability to understand and express emotions can play equal, if not more important, role in how people fare in life.

The Difference Between IQ and EQ

In order to understand how IQ and EQ are different, it is important to first look at what they measure and how they are assessed.

Intelligence quotient, or IQ, is a number used to express a person's overall mental ability. This score is derived from a standardized test.

On the original IQ tests, scores were calculated by dividing the individual's mental age by chronological age and multiplying that number by 100. A child with a mental age of 15 and a chronological age of 10 would have an IQ of 150.

Today, scores on most IQ tests are calculated by comparing the test taker's score to the average scores of other people in the same age group. IQ represents abilities such as:

Visual and spatial processing

Knowledge of the world

Fluid reasoning

Working memory and short-term memory

Quantitative reasoning

Emotional intelligence refers to a person's ability to perceive, control, evaluate, and express emotions.

Researchers such as John Mayer and Peter Salovey, as well as writers like Daniel Goleman, have helped shine a light on emotional intelligence, making it a hot topic in areas ranging from business management to education. EQ is centered on abilities such as:

Identifying emotions

Evaluating how others feel

Controlling one's own emotions

Perceiving how others feel

Using emotions to facilitate social communication

Relating to others

Since the 1990s, emotional intelligence has gone from a semi-obscure concept found in academic journals to a popularly recognized term. You can no buy toys that claim to help boost emotional intelligence or enroll kids in social and emotional learning (SEL) programs designed to teach emotional intelligence skills. Social and emotional learning is a curriculum requirement in some schools in the United States.

EQ

Emotional quotient

Measure of emotional competency

Involves identifying, controlling, and using emotions

Affects motivation, empathy, relationships, self-awareness, and self-control

IQ

Intelligence quotient

Measure of cognitive abilities

Involves processing, knowledge, memory, and reasoning

Affects academics, expertise, critical thinking, and logic

How IQ and EQ Are Measured

IQ and EQ also utlilize different assessments to measure these abilities. IQ tests first emerged to assess cognitive abilities in school children, while EQ tests have been introduced more recently to assess emotional abilities.

Measuring IQ

Several different IQ tests can be used. Some are designed for use with adults, while others are developed to measure IQ in children. Some of the most commonly used IQ tests include:

Measuring EQ

Several different assessments can be used to measure EQ. Some of these assessments are self-report tests in which people respond to questions about their own feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. Some other tests involve having an observer rate another person's abilities and behaviors.

Two tests that are commonly used to measure emotional intelligence are the:

Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT): In this test, people engage in tasks that measure the four components of EQ under the observation of a mental health professional.

Emotional and Social Competence Inventory (ESCI): In this assessment, an individual who knows you well answers questions to rate your emotional competency.

There are also a number of different online self-assessments. While such tests are not diagnostic tools, they may help you get a general idea about your emotional abilities.

Which Is More Important?

At one point in time, IQ was viewed as the primary determinant of success. People with high IQs were assumed to be destined for a life of accomplishment and achievement, and researchers debated whether intelligence was the product of genes or the environment (the nature versus nurture debate).

However, some critics began to realize that high intelligence was no guarantee for success in life. It was also perhaps too narrow a concept to fully encompass the wide range of human abilities and knowledge.

IQ is still recognized as an important element of success, particularly when it comes to academic achievement. People with high IQs typically to do well in school, often earn more money, and tend to be healthier in general.﻿﻿

But today experts recognize that IQ is not the only determinant of life success. Instead, it is part of a complex array of influences-one that includes emotional intelligence. Many companies now mandate emotional intelligence training and use EQ tests as part of the hiring process.

Research has found that individuals with strong leadership potential also tend to be more emotionally intelligent, suggesting that a high EQ is an important quality for business leaders and managers.﻿﻿

Emotional abilities can also influence consumers' choices when confronted with buying decisions. Nobel-prize-winning psychologist Daniel Kahneman found that people would rather deal with a person they trust and like than someone they do not, even if that means paying more for an inferior product.

The Impact of Bias

It is also important to note that both IQ and EQ are influenced by environmental variables. They are not simply inherent, unchangeable qualities. Not only does a person's environment affect their IQ and EQ, but the measurement of these abilities is also prone to bias.

The validity of IQ tests has long been questioned. While these tests often purport to evaluate inherent mental abilities, factors such as nutrition, educational quality, socioeconomic status, health status, and motivation levels can all affect people's IQ scores. Research also indicates that IQ tests are often biased against certain groups of people, including Black and Hispanic Americans.

Emotional intelligence is also affected by environmental variables. While research suggests that temperament can play an important role, other factors, including upbringing, experiences, cultural factors, and trauma, can affect a person's EQ.

Recap

It is important to remember the measurement of IQ and EQ is subject to limitations. These are not purely fixed, inherent qualities. Tests cannot capture all aspects of intelligence and may be affected by bias.

Can IQ and EQ Be Improved?

If emotional intelligence is so important, can it be taught or strengthened? According to research on the effects of social and emotional learning programs, the answer to that question is an unequivocal yes.

One study found that kids enrolled in SEL programs had better achievement scores. These programs were also linked to lower suspension rates, increased school attendance, and reduced disciplinary problems.

And while IQ was once thought to be set in stone, it is now believed that it is a capacity that can be improved and strengthened.

Improving IQ

Some ways to boost your IQ include:

Practicing memory activity: Doing tasks to improve your memory, such as jigsaw puzzles, concentration games, and sudoku, may help boost different aspects of IQ.

Improve your reasoning skills: Games that rely on higher-order reasoning skills may also help sharpen your intellectual abilities.

Build your relational skills: Developing your ability to understand relationships and associations may help boost IQ scores. Strategies that may help include reading and making comparisons between objects.

Learn a new language: Learning and practicing a new language may help boost your cognitive abilities.

Improving EQ

Strategies that can help strengthen EQ include the following:

Focus on how you feel: Building self-awareness is essential for good emotional intelligence. Spend time observing your emotions and considering what made you experience those feelings. Keeping a journal can be a great way to help build this self-awareness.

Put yourself in someone else's shoes: Empathy is a key component of emotional intelligence. Make an effort to consider how other people might feel in different situations. Put yourself in their place and reflect on what they might be feeling in that moment.

Become more open-minded: It is crucial to approach situations with openness and a lack of judgment. Doing so will better help you understand others and consider new perspectives and ideas.

Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness involves fully focusing on the present moment without worrying about the past or future. It can be an excellent tool for developing a greater awareness of your feelings.

Strategies for teaching emotional intelligence include character education, modeling positive behaviors, encouraging people to think about how others are feeling, and finding ways to be more empathetic toward others.

A Word From Verywell

Life success is a result of many factors. Both IQ and EQ play roles in overall success, as well as health, wellness, and happiness. Rather than focusing on which factors have a more dominant influence, the greatest benefit may lie in learning to improve skills in multiple areas. In addition to strengthening cognitive abilities, such as memory and mental focus, you can also acquire and improve social and emotional skills.

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IQ and EQ can are both important but different. Learn the differences between IQ vs. EQ, the impact they can have, and how to improve your emotional intelligence.

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What a fun way for students to work on their writing skills and learn about a new culture! Pen pals are a great way for students to communicate with other students their same age in different parts of the world. These guys love sharing their holiday traditions while learning about the customs of their French pen pals.

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This is a super fun stem project for 5th grade math and science students that involves volume, mass, speed, and distance! Students create their own vehicle to transport a “pot of gold” from one end of the classroom to the other, using a homemade zip line. Students love working with their stem groups to create, test, and make revisions to their vehicle.

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Great resource for students and parents looking for manipulatives at home

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Great resource for students and parents looking for manipulatives at home

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National Library of Virtual Manipulatives

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A digital library containing Java applets and activities for K-12 mathematics

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I think that technology is an important part of the classroom because it allows students to access a vast amount of information easily and quickly. This allows us as educators to go deeper into topics we are studying and allows the students to practice their research skills. I love the idea of students having a mini research assignment each week, starting with the students picking their topics on a Monday and spending their free time throughout the week researching their topic. These topics would be related to current events, or other relevant concerns in the news, allowing the students to gain an understanding of their surrounding communities and the world. This could be considered an anchor assignment for a week.

Another aspect of technology that I love is how it is able to extend beyond the classroom, and through the use of Google classroom, or similar resources, students are able to work on assignments both in class and at home without a glitch. As an educator, I am able to see their work in real time, and do not need to wait until the following day to provide feedback.

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One of the most underrated aspects of a child’s school day is recess. I think that this is a vital part of school for students, as it allows them to work on their emotional and social selves while playing with one another. Recess is unstructured time that allows the students to be creative and active, which are both necessary for students to succeed and to produce new, innovative ideas within the classroom.

Recess is not the only time students benefit from play. In the classroom, we can as educators, focus on incorporating games and physical movement into our lesson plans. These bursts of activity allow students to move around and collaborate with one another while working on an assignment or activity. An example of this would be in math, playing fraction basketball while learning about fractions (specifically unit fractions and comparing fractions). A teacher may also think to have the students physically walk around the room to identify the cardinal directions during a Social Studies lesson. These activities may be disguised as games, but they really help the students retain the material better as they are able to identify with the activity, and the students also are more engaged during learning experiences such as these.

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Educators have a great responsibility to develop students’ academic, social, emotional, and physical beings. I believe that a teacher is the leader of their team of students, and throughout the year it is their role to guide students to be curious, engaged problem solvers. I believe that a quality education is a right, not a privilege, and therefore all students with all backgrounds deserve access to a challenging curriculum and proper resources. This is not as simple as having textbooks for all students or transportation to and from school. Rather, it entails negating stereotypes and prejudices that may be engrained in the culture of the local community, and as a teacher I will constantly work to be inclusive of other cultures and ethnicities. I will promote inclusivity of various cultures to make all students feel accepted and that they can achieve in our classroom environment, as well as to benefit the class as a whole as they can learn about a world outside of their community. I hope to provide a safe, positive, and active classroom environment that allows students to enter feeling accepted, challenged and stimulated. I want my students to feel fully engaged, not anaesthetized, when working in my classroom (RSA Animate, 2010). I believe that it is my role to ignite the students’ imaginations, challenge them to be curious about the world we live in, and supportive of their emotional and social selves. I am a resource for the students to think critically and discover how to solve real world problems using various tools both in the classroom and extending beyond the classroom.

I will use bright colors for my motivational and academic posters, and I will also have a classroom arrangement that allows for flexible seating. Flexible seating is critical in elementary classrooms, as students have very diverse backgrounds and needs that benefit from unique modifications. I believe that some of the best learning occurs in groups and will encourage collaboration in order to provide scaffolding as the students are learning new skills. ​

I hope to leave a positive impression on all the students who pass through my classroom and create a network of inspired, curious, accepting, and hard-working problem solvers. I hope that my students and their families look back at their years spent with me as their team Captain and remember growing spiritually, academically, and socially.

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I grew up in the Chicago suburbs and have attended Catholic school for my entire life. I am currently attending National Louis University for my Masters in Teaching and hold my Bachelors in Psychology from the University of Dayton.

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Kristen Rosemeyer
630-247-5103
Kristenrosemeyer@gmail.com