Multiple Intelligences

The multiple intelligences theory was first published in 1983 in Howard Gardner’s book, Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences. Gardner derived his theory from extensive brain research, which included interviews, tests, and research on hundreds of individuals.

1. The ability to create an effective product or offer a service that is valuable in one’s culture. 2. A set of skills that enables an individual to solve problems encountered in life. 3. The potential for finding or creating solutions for problems, which enables a person to acquire new knowledge. Gardner defines an “intelligence” as consisting of three components:

Instead of asking if someone is smart, ask how he/she is smart.

There are many ways each person is smart. Even though one intelligence may be dominant, each person possesses multiple intelligences.

Why is it important that you know which smart(s) you are? Instruction can be based on this information, reaching each individual student & you can capitalize on your strengths and abilities!!

This intelligence helps you to write, listen, and speak. You use this intelligence while doing writing assignments, giving speeches, or reading a good book. Word Smart

Is strong in: Reading Writing Telling stories Memorizing dates Thinking in words Word Smart

Learns best through: Reading Hearing and seeing words Speaking Writing Discussing Debating Word Smart

Instructional strategies: Read about it Write about it Talk about it Listen to it Word Smart

Common Misbehaviors: Passing notes Reading during lessons Word Smart

Famous Examples Poets, novelists, and public speakers have lots of linguistic intelligence. Virginia Woolf Maya Angelou Abraham Lincoln

Math Smart To be math smart means you have the ability to calculate very complex operations.

Math Smart Is strong in: Math Reasoning Logic Problem-solving Patterns

Math Smart Learns best through: Working with patterns and relationships Classifying Categorizing

Math Smart Instructional strategies: Quantify it (categories) Think critically about it Conceptualize it (the “big picture”)

Math Smart Common Misbehaviors: Working on math during lessons Building during lessons

Famous Examples Scientists, engineers, computer technicians and accountants all use their logical-mathematical intelligence. Albert Einstein John Dewey

Picture Smart To be Picture Smart means to have an ability to think in three dimensions, and one can often duplicate inner and external imagery.

Picture Smart Is strong in: Reading Maps Charts Drawing Mazes Puzzles

Picture Smart Learns best through: Working with pictures and colors Visualizing Drawing

Picture Smart Instructional strategies: See it Draw it Visualize it Color it

Picture Smart Common Misbehaviors: Doodling Drawing Daydreaming

Picture Smart Pilots, sculptors, painters, and architects are strong in this intelligence.

Famous Examples Pilots, sculptors, painters, and architects are strong in this intelligence. Frank Lloyd Wright Pablo Picasso Bobby Fischer

Body Smart Body Smart could be seen as the base upon which the other smarts are developed. Why?? As babies, we explore the world through our bodies.

Body Smart Is strong in: Athletics Dancing Acting Using tools

Body Smart Learns best through: Moving Processing knowledge through bodily sensations

Body Smart Instructional strategies: Build it Act it out Dance it

Body Smart Common Misbehaviors: Fidgeting Wandering around the room

Famous Examples Dancers, athletes, artists, or surgeons need to know how the body moves and how to control those movements. This requires the use of body smart capabilities. Magic Johnson Charlie Chaplin

Music Smart In developing the Music Smart, we become skilled listeners, sensitive to music, and aware of the emotions music can make. Those who are Music Smart often change facts and other things they want to learn into songs to help their memories.

Music Smart Is strong in: Picking up sounds Remembering melodies Rhythms

Music Smart Learns best through: Rhythm Singing Listening to music and melodies

Musical/Rhythmic Music Smart Instructional strategies: Sing it Rap it Listen to it

Music Smart Common Misbehaviors: Tapping a pencil or feet Humming

Musical/Rhythmic Music Smart Conductors, musicians, and sound technicians have a well developed musical/rhythmic intelligence

Famous Examples Conductors, musicians, and sound technicians have a well-developed Music Smart. Ella Fitzgerald Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

People Smart Those who are People Smart have the ability to get along with almost everyone they meet and are almost never shy!

People Smart Is strong in: Understanding people Leading & Organizing Communicating Resolving conflicts

People Smart Learns best through: Sharing Comparing Relating Interviewing

People Smart Instructional strategies: Collaborate on it Interact with respect to it

People Smart Common Misbehaviors: Talking Passing notes

Interpersonal People Smart Salesmen, politicians, and religious leaders have a highly developed interpersonal intelligence!

Famous Examples Salesmen, politicians, and religious leaders have a highly developed interpersonal intelligence! Gandhi Ronald Reagan

Self Smart We use this intelligence when we think back to our own experiences and examine them to gain self- awareness. You will also gain empathy, or knowing how people feel.

Self Smart Is strong in: Understanding self Recognizing one’s own strengths and weaknesses Setting goals

Self Smart Learns best through: Working alone Doing self-paced projects Reflecting

Self Smart Instructional strategies: Connect it to your personal life Make choices with regard to it

Self Smart Common Misbehaviors: Disagreeing with others Inappropriate remarks to others

Self Smart Religious leaders, psychologists, and philosophers all have highly developed intrapersonal intelligences.

Famous Examples Religious leaders, psychologists, and philosophers all have highly developed intrapersonal intelligences. Eleanor Roosevelt Sigmund Freud

Nature Smart People who are Nature Smart have the ability to identify their surroundings like flowers, birds, and trees.

Nature Smart Is strong in: Understanding nature Making distinctions Identifying flora and fauna

Nature Smart Learns best through: Working in nature Exploring living things Learning about plants and natural events

Nature Smart Instructional strategies: Observe nature Protect the environment Appreciate surroundings

Nature Smart Common Misbehaviors: Staying outside too long Collecting unusual specimens

Famous Examples Botanists and gardeners are highly developed in Nature Smart. Luther Burbank Charles Darwin

Resources

Good Double Bubble Activity

Books Multiple Intelligences Multiple Intelligences by Dr. Spencer Kagan & Miguel Kagan Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom by Thomas Armstrong Multiple Intelligences Activities Multiple Intelligences Activities from Teacher Created Materials Developing Students’ Multiple Intelligences Developing Students’ Multiple Intelligences by Kristen Nicholson-Nelson

Links Special Education Applying MI in Schools Gardner’s Definitions and More Teachers Who Use MI Use All Your Smarts Multiple Intelligences’ Test Grades 3-6 MI Lesson Plans Grades 7-12 MI Lesson Plans Step-by-step MI Lesson Plan Guide Online Workshops List of More Resources