1. Michael J. Green
Characteristics of Intelligent Behavior
Professor Marc Bonanni
University of Phoenix
MED 560: Secondary Teaching
Methods
April 29, 2012

2. “Being an intellectual
creates a lot of
questions and no
answers”
-Janis Joplin

3. Characteristics of Intelligent Behavior
 Creating, Imagining, and Innovating
 Managing Impulsivity
 Drawing on knowledge and Applying it to
New Situations
 Thinking Interdependently
 Thinking about Thinking (Metacognition)
*These Characteristics have been taken from Kellough et.al.(2011).

4. Creating, Imagining and Innovating
 In the English classroom, using the imagination and being
creative are fundamental because the subject is abstract.
Creative writing, projects, and group presentations are
characteristic of the classroom. This may be supported by
assigning these tasks to students, discussing ideas, and
modeling thinking.
 Teachers should encourage students to do! As students are
doing creative tasks, teachers should offer constructive
criticism in a way that encourages students. This should be
in an effort to in turn lead them to value feedback.

5. Managing Impulsivity
 People think before they act when they are able to manage
impulsivity. This can be taught to students
 In the classroom, one prime example of controlling impulsivity
is requiring students to raise their hand before speaking.
Research indicates that the quality of managing impulsivity is
a much more significant predictor of success in the work
place.
 This is taught by exacting an immediate consequence for the
correct behavior as well as the incorrect behavior. After
letting students know your expectations, this consequence
will serve as reinforcement.

6. Drawing on Knowledge and Applying
it to New Situations
 Students need to be able to apply what
they know when obtaining new information.
This may be accomplished in the classroom
by administering problem recognition
activities, problem solving activities, and
project-based learning. These are
significantly important ways of providing
students with this opportunity.

7. Thinking Interdependently
 Real world problem solving requires interdependent thinking.
This is due in large part to globalization and the
interconnectedness of mankind.
 This may be achieved by learning to listen, seeking
consensus, developing empathy, learning cooperatively.
 By discussing the importance of respect and working
together and its importance to being successful, students
begin to see that interdependent thinking is necessary.
Providing opportunities for group work and cooperative
learning is important.

8. Thinking About Thinking
(Metacognition)
 Learning to plan, monitor, assess, and
reflect on one’s own thinking is very
important.
 This may be accomplished using small
group learning, journals, student led
portfolio conferences, self-assessment
activities, and think alouds. These
strategies help students develop this
intelligent behavior.

9. References
Kellough, R. D., & Kellough, N. G. (2011).
Secondary school teaching: A guide to
methods and resources (4th ed.). Upper
Saddle River, NJ: Allyn & Bacon.