Learning & Life Skills Academic Summer Camps

Using a Student's Strengths for Better Studying

Get to Know Slim 'n' Bil

Quantum Learning emphasizes individual's particular learning styles. Knowing one's own learning style, or strengths, can help when it comes time to study for a test. At SuperCamp, we make this point by telling campers the story of Slim 'n' Bil.

Slim 'n' Bil are both very smart people - smart in very different ways. Slim 'n' Bil both have a wide range of skills. Whenever they meet, they like to show off their talents to each other, and practice their skills to build their intelligence in different areas. The question they ask each other isn't 'How smart are you?' it's 'How are you smart?'

When Slim 'n' Bil first got together, they realized that their names together spell out each of the eight different ways that we're all smart - and they created ways to practice and improve each area. Check this out:

S - Spatial-visual	read maps, create 3D art, look at hidden-shape puzzles.
L - Linguistic	write stories, give speeches, play Scrabble
I - Interpersonal	take on projects in groups, get to know people
M - Musical	practice beats, play an instrument

N - Naturalist	look for patterns, do odd-one-out puzzles

B - Bodily-kinesthetic	play with a hackey, act things out, dance
I - Intrapersonal	keep a journal, create goals for yourself
L - Logical-mathematical	do logic puzzles, play tic-tac-toe, look for reasons

Everyone is smart in all eight ways, and we may have particular strengths. When you study, use these strengths to study in a way that will be most effective for you. When you're not studying, try out some of these practices to improve the areas you find challenging. No two people are the same, and we're all smart. The question is, how are you smart?

Parents and teachers, share this story with your child or your students to help them tap into their own strengths.