This document discusses characteristics of intelligent behavior. It identifies 5 key behaviors: 1) clearly describing/defining, 2) interpreting/paraphrasing, 3) classifying/differentiating, 4) creating, and 5) evaluating. Each behavior is described as a skill that develops critical thinking. Examples are provided for how teachers can challenge students to demonstrate each behavior, such as describing fractions in real world contexts or comparing World War I and II. Supporting students in these intelligent behaviors is presented as an important way to cultivate critical thinkers.

1. C h aracte ris tics
of Inte llige nt
Be h avior
S. Munoz Thoughts & Ideas

2. 1. Critical Thinking
• All intelligent
behaviors in this
presentation are a
branch of critical
thinking!
• Each behavior is a
skill that develops
critical thinkers and
intelligently
behaved students 
• Inspired by Bloom’s Taxonomy
S. Munoz Thoughts & Ideas

3. 1. Clearly Describing/Defining
• One of the basic indicators of intelligent behavior is being able to
clearly articulate yourself in a situation:
using graphic descriptions and definitions, making your
communication clear to those around you!
Example: Students are given a challenge
to describe real world use of fractions.
Teacher supports this challenge by
exposing students to real world
fraction concepts; working in
a pizzeria, making change with
money, cutting up a cake at a
birthday party, etc.
Intelligent behavior means students can clearly describe what is going on in
any given situation, how they came to a mathematical conclusion!
S. Munoz Thoughts & Ideas

4. 2. Interpret/Paraphrase
• Put it in your words!
 Another sure sign of intelligent
behavior is being able to take a
piece of information and put your
own spin on it, while still keeping
the info legit.
Example: Students are
challenged to read classic
literature (try Aesop’s Fables to
play off a story with morals) and
create their own interpretation of
the author’s message.
 Teacher provides support by
starting off the class with an
example!
S. Munoz Thoughts & Ideas

5. 3.Classify/Differentiate
• Intelligent behavior
embodies recognizing that
things are different and
being able to describe why!
Example: Challenging students to compare World War I to World
War II.
Teacher provides support by starting out with a simple
difference: geographical location.
Students point out differences, providing a clear explanation
to clarify their points.
S. Munoz Thoughts & Ideas

6. 4. Create
• Another definite
characteristic of
intelligent behavior
is being able to create
and construct your
own ideas and plans

Example: Challenge students to write their own short story and
creatively word process it.
 Teacher provides support by giving a prompt or genre to guide which
direction the students can move in.
S. Munoz Thoughts & Ideas

7. 5. Evaluate
• One of the higher level characteristics of intelligent
behavior is being able to look at a set of information,
synthesize it, and make your own conclusions.
Example: Challenge students to examine the
school rules and regulations, pick one, and
make their own conclusion as to why that
rule/regulation is relevant to them.
 Teacher provides support by encouraging all
components of critical thinking, especially
evaluating real world scenarios that students
encounter daily.
S. Munoz Thoughts & Ideas

8. Characteristics of Intelligent Behavior
Summary
S. Munoz Thoughts & Ideas