Creating Purpose and Direction in Teaching with

The Multiple Intelligences Verbal/Linguistic Logical/Mathematical Visual/Spatial

Learn best through: language Learn best by using numbers Learn best whenlistening, speaking, reading, and analysis: like to solve material is visual:telling, discussing, writing. problems and reason things out. pictures, art, etc.

Bodily/Kinesthetic Musical Interpersonal

Learn best through: Learn best through: These are “people people!”action, hands-on, patterning, rhythm, Learn best when working manipulatives. and music. with others.

Intrapersonal Naturalist Existential

Learn best through: Learn best through: figuring out Learn best through: Reflecting, sharing how things work, observing, considering, exploring,

opinions, working alone. investigating engaging in activities.

Projects, Presentations, Performances (Grades 6 & Up)

Verbal/LinguisticWriting a character sketch, Debating, Writing poetry, Making a speech, Storytelling, Writing an essay, Writing a research paper, Writing a story, Writing a biography, Writing a magazine or newspaper article, Designing a checklist, Writing fiction or nonfiction, Writing a report, Making an audio recording, Creating a sales pitch or commercial, Writing a journal, Writing a summary, Writing a pamphlet or brochure, Creating a slogan or motto, Writing a conversation or dialogue, Writing a letter to the editor, Taking part in a mock trial, Writing an information brief, Creating a newspaper or magazine, Writing an epitaph, Writing a fable, myth, or legend, Creating a satire or spoof, Creating a book or movie review, Composing an email or text message, Writing an ode or sonnet, Scripting a newscast, Creating a monologue, Writing an epilogue, Creating a narrative poem, Creating word collages using wordle.net, Creating a podcast.

Logical/MathematicalDesigning a maze or puzzle, Investigating a problem, Making an outline, Designing a matrix, Making a diagram, Creating an analogy, Critiquing an event or product, Constructing a timeline, Constructing a chart or graph, Solving logic problems, Creating a T-chart, Recording data on a chart, Calculating probabilities, Developing a theory, Making a calculation, Analyzing trends and patterns, Developing a formula, Computing an answer, Inventing a code, Making a storyboard, Solving an equation or number problem, Doing an evaluation or rating, Recording data or information, Doing an analysis, Drawing a caricature, Doing a critique, Constructing a flowchart, Doing a scale drawing, Creating a spreadsheet, Designing a Webquest, Designing and analyzing an opinion poll or a survey, Designing a computer program, game, or graphic, Developing a hypothesis, Formulating plans, Testing theories, Creating a graphic organizer, Testing hypothesis, Analyzing ideas, Using Inspiration software to create fact webs. Visual/SpatialDrawing, sketching, or painting, Illustrating, Building a prototype, Designing a Web page, Creating a cartoon or comic strip, Making a clay sculpture, Writing a graphic novel or short story, Designing a logo, Making a map, Making a poster, Making a mural, Making a collage, Making visual aids for a presentation, Taking photographs, Constructing a scrapbook, Mapping ideas, Designing a postcard, Creating a PowerPoint presentation, Making a mobile, Constructing a model, Designing a structure, Making a diagram, Planning advertising graphics, Taking photos, Photoshopping, Constructing a display of a collection, Designing a photo essay, Creating a digital animation, Creating a board game, Designing a pamphlet or brochure, Designing a greeting card, Designing sets for a play, Creating a digital montage of images and music.

Bodily/KinestheticRole-playing, Dramatizing, Performing a skit, Pantomiming, Creating something to post on YouTube, Creating Digital movies, Using digital probes, Performing a dance or other creative movement, Doing improvisational acting, Engaging in interactive games, Performing in a play, Constructing a model, Making a video recording, Doing a parody, or spoof, or satire, Doing hands-on activities, Building or taking apart something, Developing an invention, Doing a lab activity or experiment, Conducting a demonstration.

MusicalPerforming music, Composing lyrics, Performing in a musical, Creating digital sounds, Identifying patterns, Creating a slogan, Planning a multi-media presentation, Creating a limerick, Identifying digital music to convey a feeling or illustrate an idea, Performing or writing a rap, Creating a jingle, Performing rhythms with a percussion instrument, Writing a song, Singing in a group, choir, or chorus, Playing a musical instrument, Writing music, Improvising music, Creating a digital montage of images and music.

InterpersonalParticipating in a group activity, Participating in a discussion, Conducting an interview, Engaging in an online discussion, Sharing ideas on a message board, Debating personal thoughts, ideas, perspectives, Building consensus within a group, Solving problems with a group, Planning a campaign for a cause or an issue, Participating in a roundtable discussion, Organizing an event or activity, Helping with conflict resolution, Doing peer counseling, Paraphrasing ideas of others.

IntrapersonalKeeping a person journal or diary, Keeping a personal log or record, Sharing perspectives or viewpoints through an online discussion, Setting personal goals, Completing online surveys or inventories, Sharing opinions on a message board, Sharing opinions on a blog, Developing a critical review, Developing an investigative report, Summarizing ideas or beliefs, Identifying beliefs about an issue, Making a self-assessment of work, Developing a policy statement, Developing a critique, Developing support for a personal opinion, Presenting personal viewpoints, perspectives, or beliefs.

NaturalistClassifying objects, Identifying problems, Making predictions, Solving problems, Identifying objects based on characteristics, Conducting observations, Creating a guidebook, Exploring a topic or theme, Creating a collection, Participating in an in-class or online simulation, Constructing a display of objects or artifacts, Making comparisons, Planning a walking tour, Investigating how something works, Designing an exhibit, Creating a database, Charting hierarchies and connections, Mapping ideas, Engaging in virtual fieldtrips, Identifying common traits, Sorting and organizing objects and ideas, Ranking things by significance or importance.

ExistentialExamining philosophical beliefs, Exploring theoretical models, Resolving moral dilemmas, Considering the ethics of an issue, Analyzing opposing beliefs, Examining personal beliefs, viewpoints, or perspectives, Comparing and contrasting opposing beliefs, viewpoints, or perspectives, Identifying philosophical themes, Investigating philosophical and religious issues, Examining the underlying meanings of historical events, Considering the effects of actions on the environment, Considering the effects of actions on others, Examining multiple points of view on an issue or idea, Helping other people, Working on a project to solve a community problem or make something better, Working on a campaign or fundraiser for a community group.

Projects, Presentations, Performances (Grades 3-5)

Verbal, LinguisticDebating, Writing poetry, Making a speech, Storytelling, Writing an essay, Writing a research paper, Writing a story, Writing a biography, Writing a magazine or newspaper article, Doing creative writing,

Creating a riddle, Writing a report, Creating a crossword puzzle, Writing a journal, Writing a summary, Writing a pamphlet or brochure, Writing a slogan, Writing a conversation or dialogue, Writing a letter to the editor, Writing a fairy tale, fable, folktale, or tall tale, Creating a newspaper or magazine, Writing a letter, Creating a nursery rhyme, Constructing a flipbook, Creating a podcast, Writing a book or movie review, Creating an acrostic poem, Writing an email or text message, Creating a word collage using wordle.net, Developing a sales pitch or commercial, Scripting a newscast, Creating a tongue twister, Participating in an online discussion.

Logical/MathematicalDesigning a maze or puzzle, Investigating a problem, Making an outline, Solving math problems, Making a diagram, Creating a fact web, Constructing a T chart, Making a flowchart, Constructing a timeline, Constructing a chart or graph, Inventing a code, Recording information on a chart, Designing a survey, Using Kidspiration software to create fact maps, Designing a computer program, game, or graphics, Creating a graphic organizer, Developing a hypothesis, Creating a scale drawing, Completing logic puzzles, Constructing a Venn diagram.

Visual/SpatialDrawing, Sketching, Painting, Designing a web page, Creating a pop-up book, Creating a cartoon or comic book, Making a clay sculpture, Making a map, Making a poster, Making a mural, Making a collage, Making visual aids for a presentation, Taking photographs, Making a mobile, Making a storyboard, Designing a structure or building, Making a diagram, Creating illustrations for an ad, Creating a board game, Creating a photo essay, Designing a pamphlet or brochure, Designing a bumper sticker, Designing logo, Designing a postcard, Creating a picture book, Designing a greeting card, Making a digital movie, Designing sets for a play, Creating a digital animation, Making a diorama, Creating a PowerPoint presentation, Designing a billboard, Writing a graphic novel or short story, Creating a wordless book, Creating a digital montage of images and music.

Bodily/KinestheticRole-playing, Making a video, Performing a skit, Pantomiming, Doing a demonstration, Constructing a 3-D model, Making a digital movie, Creating new strategies for a sport, Performing a dance or other creative movement, Performing in a play, Constructing a model, Creating something to post on YouTube, Building or taking apart something, Developing an invention, Doing a science experiment, Playing interactive games, Using manipulatives in math.

MusicalPerforming music, Composing lyrics to an existing melody, Performing or writing a rap, Creating a jingle, Creating a slogan, Finding digital music to illustrate an idea, Writing a song, Writing a limerick, Creating digital music, Finding patterns, Creating digital sounds, Singing in a group, choir, or chorus, Playing a musical instrument, Performing rhythms with a percussion instrument, Creating a digital montage of images and music.

InterpersonalParticipating in a group activity/project, Participating in a discussion, Conducting an interview, Doing collaborative work, Engaging in an online discussion, Debating personal thoughts, ideas, perspectives, Solving problems with a group, Planning a campaign for a cause or an issue, Contributing to a message board to share ideas, Doing a volunteer project with others, Organizing an event or activity.

IntrapersonalKeeping a personal journal, Setting personal goals, Expressing opinions and ideas, Considering beliefs about something, Taking online surveys or inventories, Sharing opinions and perspectives in online discussions, Contributing to a message board to state opinions, Sharing opinions in a blog, Keeping a personal log or record.

NaturalistClassifying objects, Making predictions, Identifying objects based on their characteristics, Creating a collection, Solving a problem, Sorting and organizing objects, Identifying likenesses and differences, Participating in virtual fieldtrips, Constructing a display of objects or artifacts, Making comparisons, Planning a walking tour, Creating a guide book, Designing an exhibit, Investigating how something works, Making observations, Identifying a problem, Participating in an in-class or online simulation.

ExistentialExploring theories and ideas, Considering the fairness of an issue, Solving moral dilemmas, Helping others, Examining personal beliefs and viewpoints, Comparing and contrasting beliefs and viewpoints, Considering the effects on the environment, Considering the effects on others, Studying philosophy or religions, Working on a project to solve a community problem or make something better, Working on a campaign or fundraiser for a community group.

About Multiple Intelligences

Important things to remember… Educational professor Howard Gardner has explored nine ways to think and learn – so

far! There are probably more to be discovered. You are stronger in some areas (intelligences) than others, but everyone has

strengths and limitations. There is no one best way to learn. ALL are important! You may find that teaching/activities come easier or are more fun in your areas of

strength. You need experience in all nine ways of thinking so you can “pump up” the ones

you’re less strong in. Many things you teach require students to use more than one intelligence to

accomplish a task. Multiple intelligences aren’t meant to label students, they’re simply information

about the students learning preferences.

How teachers can use Multiple Intelligences… Information about the students’ preferences can help you make good choices when

you’re deciding how to teach something, or are giving students a choice on a project. Thinking about students’ strengths can give you ideas on how to help them learn

more effectively. Group projects turn out well if the students in the group have different strengths.

You may want to divide you tasks so that each group member is working in a strength area.

A group project can also turn out well when all the people in the group have similar strengths.

Encouraging students to work in a way that’s harder for them will be more of a stretch, but they can still do high quality work.

Heacox, D., Ed.D. (2012). Differentiating instruction in the regular classroom: how to reach

and teach all learners (2nd ed.). Minneapolis, MN: Free Spirit Publishing.

Purpose and Direction: What is the objective of the lesson?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Strategy Used: Incorporate at least one Multiple Intelligence____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Assessment Strategy: Incorporate at least one Multiple Intelligence______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________