Multiple Intelligences Susan Ecklund EDU 610

The 8 ways of Knowing

Parent Overview December 8, 2011 Dear Parents, I would like to share with you some information on Multiple Intelligences and how they affect your child’s specific learning needs. I am sending this information home to you and when we meet at conferences/IEP meetings, I will go over more specific information regarding his/her types of intelligences and any questions you may have. As we know, every child learns differently and it is my job as an educator to provide instruction that is meaningful and productive so that each and every student will learn to the best of their ability. Howard Gardner proposed the theory of multiple intelligences. To put it simply, children have different levels of eight different types of intelligences. The eight multiple intelligences include: 1. Verbal/linguistic 2. Math/logical 3. Spatial 4. Musical 5. Body/motion/kinesthetic 6. Interpersonal 7. Intrapersonal 8. Naturalistic In class the other day, each student took a learning style inventory to find out what their strongest intelligences are. They had to answer questions about different activities. After we completed the surveys, they then graphed their results. The staff as well as students had a fun time learning about their learning styles. I have provided the results for you. Teachers and parents can then take these results and provide instructions/directions in ways that your child will understand. To help you understand, the multiple intelligences and how we can deliver instruction to your child in a variety of ways, I have included articles and websites for you to explore on your free time and I look forward to meeting with you.

What every parent needs to know about Learning Styles A learning style is the unique way an individual learns most effectively Learning styles are different approaches of thinking and learning Children learn at different paces and different ways Some children learn information by visual aids while others learn by listening and observing Some children work best in a group setting while others prefer individual assignments When we know a child’s specific learning style we are able provide them with meaningful classroom instruction

Tapping into the intelligences Verbal-Linguistic Logical-Mathematical Visual-Spatial Bodily-Kinesthetic choral speaking declarizing storytelling retelling speaking debating presenting reading aloud dramatizing book making nonfiction reading researching listening process writing writing journals problem solving measuring coding sequencing critical thinking predicting playing logic games collecting data experimenting solving puzzles classifying using manipulatives learning the scientific model using money using geometry graphing photographing making visual metaphors making visual analogies mapping stories making 3D projects painting illustrating using charts using organizers visualizing sketching patterning visual puzzles hands on experiments activities changing room arrangement creative movement going on field trips physical education activities crafts using cooperative groups dancing Musical Interpersonal Intrapersonal Naturalistic humming rapping playing background music patterns form playing instruments tapping out poetic rhythms rhyming singing classroom parties peer editing cooperative learning sharing group work forming clubs peer teaching social awareness conflict mediation discussing cross age tutoring study group brainstorming personal response individual study personal goal setting individual projects journal log keeping personal choice in projects independent reading reading outside cloud watching identifying insects building habitats identifying plants using a microscope dissecting going on a nature walk build a garden studying the stars bird watching collecting rocks making bird feeders going to the zoo Read more on TeacherVision: http://www.teachervision.fen.com/intelligence/teaching-methods/2204.html#ixzz1gN0nIIln

Technology These are a few examples of reference sites that children can use in both the classroom and home environment

Assessment In my classroom I provided each student with a learning style inventory to find out what their strongest intelligences are. The students had fun completing this checklist and discovered the many gifts they have. By doing this activity we discovered that we are unique and have our own preferences to help us understand our special ways of knowing and learning. This checklist can be viewed at http://www.fallriverschools.org/MultipleIntelligencesChecklist.pdf

References Teacher Vision - http://www.teachervision.fen.com/ Multiple Intelligences Checklist - http://www.fallriverschools.org/MultipleIntelligencesChecklist.pdf Multiple Intelligences - 8 Ways of Being Smart http://www.scribd.com/doc/8727642/Multiple-Intelligences-8-Ways-of-Being-Smart Chapman,C.,& King R. (2005). Differentiated assessment: One tool doesn’t fit all. Thousand Oaks, California: Corwin Press Inc.