This week's "idea of the week" by June Gordan, lets her students decide what multiple intelligence they would like to use to present material to the class.  The 'website of the week" is a directory of games categorized by multiple intelligence.  With this being said, I am posting my article on Dr. Gardner and Multiple Intelligence again.

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I often use multiple intelligences when planning and developing lessons for my classroom.  The Theory of Multiple Intelligence was developed by Dr. Howard Gardner in 1983.  Basically, when utilizing Gardner’s theory, there are eight different methods of delivering material to students.  There is a link to multiple intelligence on my site home page at www.energizetheclassroom.com . 

• Linguistic intelligence ("word smart"):
• Logical-mathematical intelligence ("number/reasoning smart")
• Spatial intelligence ("picture smart")
• Bodily-Kinesthetic intelligence ("body smart")
• Musical intelligence ("music smart")
• Interpersonal intelligence ("people smart")
• Intrapersonal intelligence ("self smart")
• Naturalist intelligence ("nature smart")

I use Gardner’s eight intelligences as my foundation to developing and teaching content in the classroom.  These techniques mirror the different learning styles of my students.  Personally, I have groups of students that sometimes flourish when completing notes and reading assignments (word-smart).  Other times, I am constantly working on “real-life” experiences and projects (picture smart) that involve the “outside world” (people smart).  In reality, when I use all of these eight methods as much as possible, my students get fun, relevant material that promotes learning! 

Dr. Thomas Armstrong outlines an excellent process to plan a lesson around Gardner’s multiple intelligences. Below is an excerpt from his website, http://www.thomasarmstrong.com , explaining this procedure (with his permission).  

“You don’t have to teach or learn something in all eight ways, just see what the possibilities are, and then decide which particular pathways interest you the most, or seem to be the most effective teaching or learning tools. The theory of multiple intelligences is so intriguing because it expands our horizon of available teaching/learning tools beyond the conventional linguistic and logical methods used in most schools (e.g. lecture, textbooks, writing assignments, formulas, etc.). To get started, put the topic of whatever you’re interested in teaching or learning about in the center of a blank sheet of paper, and draw eight straight lines or "spokes" radiating out from this topic. Label each line with a different intelligence. Then start brainstorming ideas for teaching or learning that topic and write down ideas next to each intelligence (this is a spatial-linguistic approach of brainstorming; you might want to do this in other ways as well, using a tape-recorder, having a group brainstorming session, etc.). Have fun!”

This process is simple and to the point.  It reminds me to make sure that I am attempting to target the strengths of ALL STUDENTS.  Most important to me personally, is that I have fun planning and preparing, keeping my classroom “energized”! 

-Paul Richmond
 E.T.C. 

Be sure to check out the “idea of the week” and "website of the week" at www.energizetheclassroom.com .