Multiple Intelligences
Howard Gardner's Theory
Howard Gardner
Eight Intelligences:
Linguistic
"Word Smart"
- Learning through spoken and written words
- Communicates by speaking, listening, reading, and writing
- Sensitive to meaning of words, sounds and rhythm of language
- Loves stories
- Good vocabulary and spelling
Logical/Mathetmatical
"Number/Reasoning Smart"
- Learning through reasoning and problem solving, often with numbers
- Enjoys math, logic puzzles, and brainteasers
- Loves questioning and experimenting
- Understands cause-and-effect well
- Thinks on an abstract level
Spatial
"Picture Smart"
- Learning visually and organizing ideas spatially
- Thinks in images and sees pictures in one's mind
- Reads charts, diagrams, and maps
- A keen sense of creating and transforming mental images
Bodily-Kinesthetic
"Body Smart"
- Learning through moving and interaction with one's environment
- Capacity to use whole, or parts of, body to solve problem or make something
- Loves sports, running, dancing, and being active
- Enjoys working with tactile experiences
Musical
"Music Smart"
- Learning through songs, patterns, rhythms, instruments and musical expression
- Able to recognize and perhaps manipulate rhythmic patterns
- Enjoys and understands music
- Remembers melodies of songs
Interpersonal
"People Smart"
- Learning through interacting with others collaboratively and cooperatively
- The ability to understand people
- Enjoys socializing with people
- Strong empathy and concern for others
- Able to distinguish among moods, temperaments, motivations and intentions
Intrapersonal
"Self Smart"
- Learning through own feelings, values, and attitudes
- Having an understanding of self-direction
- Strong understanding of strengths and weaknesses in self
- Values independence
- Learns from successes and failures
Naturalist
"Nature Smart"
- Learning through classification, categories, and hierarchies
- Understands the relationship between plant, animal, and human world
- Sensitivity to features of natural world
- Enjoys being outside
ACTIVITY #1
After you have taken the online quiz posted above, you should be aware of which areas of intelligence you most identify with! It may be one or two, or it may be many. Whatever the case, pick which one you most identify with for this activity.
Next, find other students in the class that identify with the same intelligence as you. As a team, collaboratively discuss:
1) why you identify with this form of intelligence and
2) what kind of classroom environment you prefer
Be prepared to share what you discussed with the class!
CHECK FOR UNDERSTANDING:
Everyone will need a sheet of paper and a pen/pencil for this activity! Number the lines 1 through 16. I will read a list of descriptions/characteristics that corresponds with each of the eight intelligences. On each line from your paper, write which intelligence you think best fits the characteristic I describe.
When we finish the list, talk with your tables to check your answers! If anyone got any wrong, discuss with them to try to come to a conclusion of the correct answer. As a class, we will discuss any ones that the class had a particularly difficult time with.
ACTIVITY #2
Imagine you are a third grade teacher of about 25 students. Naturally in a classroom this size, the students will all learn differently, exhibiting all of the different intelligences! Your job is to create a lesson plan that incorporates as many intelligences as you can.
The scenario: Your lesson plan objective is for your students to understand how the water cycle works (if you forgot, see the picture below!)
The class will be broken up into eight separate groups. Each group will be assigned an intelligence that they must incorporate into this lesson. Be prepared to share your discussion with the class.