1. Multiple Intelligences Theory
Holly Silva

2. Background
Developed by Harvard psychologist Howard Gardner in
1983.
Theory states there are at least seven ways
(“intelligences”) that people understand and perceive the
world.
Later revised to add two more intelligences.
The theory claims that everyone is intelligent in
some way or multiple ways.
Photo from Edutopia.com

3. The Intelligences
Logical-mathematical- logic, abstractions, reasoning and numbers
Spatial- spatial judgment and the ability to visualize with the mind's eye
Linguistic- words, spoken or written.
Bodily-kinesthetic- control of one's bodily motions and the capacity to
handle objects skillfully
Musical- sensitivity to sounds, rhythms, tones, and music.
Interpersonal- interaction with others.
Intrapersonal- introspective and self-reflective capacities
Naturalistic- nurturing and relating information to one’s natural
surroundings
Existential- spiritual or religious intelligence

4. Multiple Intelligences and the
Teacher
Teachers may have their own means of teaching and
understanding based upon their own intelligence.
An ideal teacher can find different means of
instruction to cater to all the different intelligences
among their students.
Linguistic and Logical-Mathematical are most
common in schools, the goal is to add more ways to
connect to each student based on their intelligence

5. Multiple Intelligences and the
Student
Students should take an intelligences test to
determine their most prevalent intelligences and
inform the teacher
Any time a student does not understand, they should
ask for help and mention their type of intelligence.
Students could come up with their own means of
teaching themselves through their intelligence style.

6. Struggles
For many topics and lessons, it can be difficult to
nearly impossible to find a way to incorporate each
type of intelligence.
In most cases, there just is not enough time
incorporate each intelligence into one lesson
For the most part, students can still learn through
other intelligences, so it would be suggested to use
the main intelligences within a lesson, but have back
up ways to include other types of intelligence

7. My Opinion
I do not agree that these are forms of “intelligence,”
but rather skills or strong areas.
I feel that the idea is correct that different students
learn in different ways and that teachers need to find
other means of teaching
I agree that everyone is intelligent in some way.
I do love the teachers who find different ways of
teaching, I once had a teacher who literally had a way
for each “intelligence” to fit into her lesson
plan, everyone understood and it was a hard subject.

8. How I Will Incorporate Multiple
Intelligences
As a math teacher, the obvious way to teach is Logical-
Mathematical, as well as Logistical through lectures.
Group and individual work can be assigned to incorporate
the interpersonal and intrapersonal students.
If I teach Geometry, spatial students will be easy to cater
to.
I have actually come up with a few little, stupid songs for
math that help the musical.
The others I would have to think long and hard about. I
have no idea how to incorporate physical activity into math
or nature, especially not religion without crossing
boundaries in regards to separation of religion in schools.