The Theory of Multiple Intelligences

 Howard Gardner is a professor at Harvard University.  He has spent decades researching how people learn and what makes a person “intelligent”.

 Gardner created a theory that says a person can be intelligent in more than one way.  Gardner realized that some students are smart but didn’t do well on tests.  Instead of looking at what students couldn’t do, he started to look at what students could do.  In 1983, he created the theory of “Multiple Intelligences.” If you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live it’s whole life believing it is stupid!

There are 8 types of intelligences: 1. Linguistic (A): the ability to use language or words to express yourself. 2. Logical-Mathematical (B): the ability to detect patterns and think logically; usually good at math and/or science. 3. Spatial (C): the ability to create mental images to solve problems or express yourself. 4. Musical (D): the ability to understand and create music.

5. Bodily-Kinesthetic (E): the ability to use your body in a skilled way, such as dancers, athletes, actors, etc. 6. Interpersonal (F): the ability to perceive and understand others (teachers, therapists, ministers) 7. Intrapersonal (G): the ability to understand yourself and your own emotions 8. Naturalistic (H): the ability to sense nature and the world around them (zoo keepers, animal trainers, conservationists)

 Traditional intelligence has always been defined as being good at math or English.  Student success at school is measured by the ability to do well in those areas.  For example, STAR tests and high school exit exams.  Students with skills and abilities in other areas are often overlooked.  Teachers are beginning to understand that if students don’t all learn the same way, then they can’t all be tested in the same way.

1. Cal Ripken, Jr.: played in 2,632 straight games over 17 seasons and played a total of 20 years in major league baseball 2. Maya Angelou: her books have been nominated for major literary awards. 3. Wolfgang Mozart: died at age 35 after writing over 600 musical compositions. 4. Sigmund Freud: a psychiatrist who developed the theory of psychoanalysis

6. Frank Lloyd Wright: an architect who built and designed over 500 buildings. 7. Anne Sullivan: taught the blind and deaf Helen Keller how to communicate using sign language in Keller’s hand. 8. Steve Irwin: and nicknamed “The Crocodile Hunter”, was an Australian wildlife expert, television personality, and conservationist.

MORE RESOURCES ~ A brief introduction to Howard Gardner edhttp:// ed (3 minutes) Gardner himself talking about how/why he developed the multiple intelligences (2 minutes) Garner speaking about schools today and how students learn tedhttp:// ted (8 minutes)