Concept to Classroom: Tapping into Multiple Intelligences

In the final section of this Workshop, you will have the opportunity to apply multiple intelligences (M.I.) theory to your classroom. In particular, you will be provided with the framework necessary to develop your own M.I. lesson plan.

Go over the key principles listed below and then spend some time exploring the three types of exercises we suggest as good tools for working M.I. into your classroom. Finally, print out the Lesson Planning Format and follow the online step-by-step guide to develop an M.I. focused lesson plan of your own.

Key principles

Three types of implementation exercises

Learning centers

Simulations

Presentations

Step-by-step M.I. lesson plan guide

Wrap up

Key principles

Key principles of multiple intelligences (M.I.) theory to guide curriculum structure and lesson planning include the following:

It is important to teach subject matter through a variety of activities and projects. To this end, fill the classroom with rich and engaging activities that evoke a range of intelligences. Also, encourage students to work collaboratively as well as individually to support both their "interpersonal" and "intrapersonal" intelligences.

Assessments should be integrated into learning. And students need to play an active role in their assessment. When a student helps determine and clarify the goals of classroom activities, his or her academic success and confidence increases.

Offer students a number of choices for "showing what they know" about a topic. In addition to traditional paper tests, students need opportunities to create meaningful projects and authentic presentations.

It is counterproductive to label students with a particular intelligence. While an artistic genius may begin to reveal herself in grade 2, it limits her potential for understanding to fail to expose her to opportunities to access her other intelligences. All students have all intelligences. By nurturing the whole spectrum, teachers motivate students, foster their learning, and strengthen their intelligences.

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