1. Multiple Intelligences in the
Classroom
Thomas Armstrong, Ph.D.
American Institute for Learning and Human Development
(www.institute4learning.com)
Wisconsin International School
Green Bay, WI
August 19, 2013

2. Workshop Modules
1. Experiential Intro to the Eight Kinds of Smart
2. Foundations of MI Theory
3. Identifying Our Own Multiple Intelligences
4. Tips for Introducing MI to Students
5. Tips for Identifying MI in Students
6. Learning Something New in Eight Ways
7. MI Lesson Plan Mind Map
2

3. Workshop Modules (cont’d)
8. Demonstrations of Teaching Eight Ways
9. Learning Centers Using MI Theory
10.Creating Your Own MI Strategies
3

4. Key Ideas to Keep in Mind
• Every student has all eight intelligences
4
• Every student can develop all eight
intelligence.
• There are many ways to be smart in each
intelligence category.
• Intelligences almost always work together
in different combinations.

5. The Eight Intelligences
• Word Smart
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• Logic Smart
• Picture Smart
• Body Smart
• Music Smart
• People Smart
• Self Smart
• Nature Smart

6. Examples of Word Smart Kids
• Book Worm
• Storyteller
• Super Speller
• Gifted Writer
• Trivia Expert
• Little Linguist
• Good Test Taker (Words)
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7. Examples of Logic Smart Kids
• Little Scientist
• Mental Calculator
• Computer Programmer
• Pattern Seeker
• Statistics Maniac
• Logical Problem Solver
• Good Test Taker (Numbers)
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8. Examples of Picture Smart Kids
• Visual Thinker
• Creative Artist
• Video Game Maniac
• Expert Doodler
• Perceptive Seer
• Lego Expert
• Machine Smart Tinkerer
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9. Examples of Body Smart Kids
• Athlete
• Hands-On Learner
• Actor
• Spirited Mover
• Hobbyist
• Gut Thinker
• 3-D Artist
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10. Examples of Music Smart Kids
• Instrumentalist
• Hummer/Singer
• Musical Memory Expert
• Sound Effects Engineer
• Musical Responder
• Rhythm King (or Queen)
• Composer
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11. Examples of People Smart Kids
• Mediator
• Persuader
• Natural Leader
• Gossip Columnist
• Organizer
• Cooperative Learner
• Volunteer
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12. Examples of Self Smart Kids
• Entrepreneur
• Goal-Setter
• Futurist
• Journal/Diary Keeper
• Different Drummer
• Psychologist
• Autobiographer
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13. Examples of Nature Smart Kids
• Animal Lover
• Green Thumb Gardener
• Outdoor Enthusiast
• Environmentalist
• Nature Guide
• Naturalist
• Rock Hound
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14. Examples of Life Smart Kids
• Philosopher
• Moralist
• Contemplator
• Cosmologist
• Psychic
• Believer
• Mystic
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15. Criteria for MI Theory
• Symbol Systems
• Cultural Value
• Developmental History
• Savants
• Brain Structures
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• Evolutionary Plausibility
• Other Species

16. MI Inventory for Adults
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Check those statements that apply:
Linguistic Intelligence
__ Books are important to me.
__ I can hear words in my head before I read, speak, or write them down.
__ I get more out of listening to the radio or a spoken-word cassette than I do from television or films.
__ I enjoy entertaining myself or others with tongue twisters, nonsense rhymes, or puns.
__ Other people sometimes have to stop and ask me to explain the meaning of the words I use in my
writing and speaking.
__ English, social studies, and history were easier for me in school than math and science.
__ When I drive down a freeway, I pay more attention to the words written on billboards than to the scenery.
__ My conversation includes frequent references to things that I’ve read or heard.
__ I’ve written something recently that I was particularly proud of or that earned me recognition from others.
Logical-Mathematical Intelligence
__ I can easily compute numbers in my head.
__ Math and/or science were among my favorite subjects in school.
__ I enjoy playing games or solving brainteasers that require logical thinking.
__ I like to set up little “what if” experiments (for example, “What if I double the amount of water I give to my
rosebush each week?”).
__ My mind searches for patterns, regularities, or logical sequences in things.
__ I’m interested in new developments in science.
__ I believe that almost everything has a rational explanation.
__ I sometimes think in clear, abstract, wordless, imageless concepts.
__ I like finding flaws in things that people say or do at home and work.
__ I feel more comfortable when something has been measured, categorized, analyzed, or quantified in some way.

17. MI Inventory (cont’d)
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Spatial Intelligence
__ I often see clear visual images when I close my eyes.
__ I’m sensitive to color.
__ I frequently use a camera or camcorder to record what I see around me.
__ I enjoy doing jigsaw puzzles, mazes, and other visual puzzles.
__ I have vivid dreams at night.
__ I enjoyed art a lot in school.
__ I like to draw or doodle.
__ Geometry was easier for me than algebra in school.
__ I can comfortably imagine how something might appear if it were looked down upon from directly above in a bird’s eye
view.
__I prefer looking at reading materials that have lots of pictures in them
Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence
__ I engage in at least one sport or physical activity on a regular basis.
__ I find it difficult to sit still for long periods of time.
__ I like working with my hands at concrete activities such as sewing, weaving, carving, or model building.
__ My best ideas often come to me when I’m out for a long walk or a jog, or when I’m engage in some other kind of
physical activity.
__ I sometimes get “gut feelings” about things (e.g. I actually feel it in my body).
__ I frequently use hand gestures or other forms of body language when conversing with someone.
__ I need to touch things in order to learn more about them.
__ I enjoy daredevil amusement rides or similar thrilling physical experiences.
__ I would describe myself as well coordinated.
__ I need to practice a new skill rather than simply read about it, or see a video that describes it.

18. MI Inventory (cont’d)
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Musical Intelligence
__ I have a pleasant singing voice.
__ I can tell when a musical note is off-key.
__ I frequently listen to music on radio, records, cassettes, or compact discs.
__ I play a musical instrument.
__ My life would be poorer if there were no music in it.
__ I sometimes catch myself walking down the street with a jingle or other tune running through my mind.
__ I can easily keep time to a piece of music with a simple percussion instrument.
__ I know the tunes to many different songs or musical pieces.
__ If I hear a musical selection once or twice, I am usually able to sing it back fairly accurately.
__ I often make tapping sounds or sing little melodies while working, studying, or learning something new.
Interpersonal Intelligence
__ I’m the sort of person that people come to for advice and counsel at work or in my neighborhood.
__ I prefer group sports like soccer, volleyball, or softball to solo sports such as swimming, jogging, and weight training.
__ When I have a problem, I’m more likely to seek out another person for help than attempt to work it out on my own.
__ I have at least three close friends.
__ I favor social pastimes such as Monopoly or bridge over individual recreations such as video games and solitaire.
__ I enjoy the challenge of teaching another person, or groups of people, what I know how to do.
__ I consider myself a leader (or others have called me that).
__ I feel comfortable in the midst of a crowd.
__ I like to get involved in social activities connected with my work, church, or community.
__ I would rather spend my evenings at a party than stay at home alone.

19. MI Inventory (cont’d)
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Intrapersonal Intelligence
__ I regularly spend time alone meditating, reflecting, or thinking about important life questions.
__ I have attended counseling sessions or personal growth seminars to learn more about myself.
__ I am able to respond to setbacks with resilience.
__ I have a special hobby or interest that I keep pretty much to myself.
__ I have some important goals for my life that I think about on a regular basis.
__ I have a realistic view of my strengths and weaknesses (borne out by feedback from other sources).
__ I would prefer to spend a weekend along in a cabin in the woods (or some other solitary place) than be at a resort with
lots of people around.
__ I consider myself to be strong willed or independent-minded.
__ I keep a personal diary or journal to record the events of my life.
__ I am self-employed or have at least thought seriously about starting my own business.
Naturalist Intelligence
__ I have pets that I love and/or enjoy animals when I’m around them.
__ I enjoy gardening and/or like to have plants around me at home or work.
__ I can find my way around unfamiliar natural terrain with some ease.
__ I like to visit nature museums, aquariums, zoos, or other places that display living things.
__ I prefer to spend my free time in some kind of natural setting (e.g. lakes, mountains, rivers, etc.).
__ I sometimes just enjoy looking at clouds, mountains, trees, or other natural formations.
__ I have an ability to identify different kinds of birds, plants, or other living things.
__ I have a pretty highly developed sense of ecological awareness and/or sense of responsibility for helping to take care
of Mother Earth.
__ I enjoy TV programs and/or reading about nature topics (e.g. Nature on PBS or National Geographic).
__ I have been involved in organizations or clubs that focus on nature issues (e.g. Sierra Club, bird study group,
hiking group, animal rescue etc.).

20. MI Inventory (cont’d)
20
Existential Intelligence
__ I think a lot about life and death
__ I get into serious discussions with my parents, religious authorities, friends, or others about religious, spiritual, or
philosophical issues
__I have had special experiences that lifted me out of the everyday concerns of life and into a deeper perspective about the
universe.
__I spend time by myself thinking about the meaning of life, existence, God, death, or other existential themes.
__I’ve had dreams that had to do with the nature of existence, the purpose of life, the meaning of our time on this planet,
or other similar cosmic issues.
__I’ve had a brush with death that caused me to look at life in a totally different way.
__I read a lot about philosophy, religion, or the cosmic dimensions of science.
__I’ve had special psychic, mystical, spiritual, or other non-ordinary experiences that I couldn’t really explain to anyone
around me.
__I’ve participated in some kind of religious, spiritual, or philosophical community activities that have been very meaningful
to me.
__I’ve found meaning in engaging in meditation, reflection, prayer, or some other individual experience that have opened me
up to the bigger questions of life.

21. Self
Smart
Word
Smart
Number/
Logic
Smart
Picture
Smart
Body
Smart
Music
Smart
Nature
Smart
People
Smart
MI Pizza
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22. Human Intelligence Hunt
• Find Someone Who Can:
– whistle Mozart (M)
– do a dance step (BK)
– recite four lines of poetry (L)
– draw a picture of a horse (S)
– share a dream they’ve had (Intra)
– explain why the sky is blue (LM)
– say they’re feeling relaxed now (Inter)
– name 5 common birds in this area (N)
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23. Introducing MI to Students
• MI Pizza
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• Experiences
• Games
• People
• Trips
• Displays
• Books

24. Identifying MI in Students
• Observation
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• Documents
• Records
• Colleagues
• Parents
• Students

25. MI Inventory for Students
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Check those statements that apply:
Linguistic Intelligence
__ Writes better than average for age.
__ Spins tall tales or tells jokes and stories.
__ Has a good memory for names, places, dates, or trivia.
__ Enjoys word games.
__ Enjoys reading books.
__ Spells words accurately
__ Appreciates nonsense rhymes, puns, tongue twisters, and other fun word antics.
__ Enjoys listening to the spoken word (stories, commentary on media, talking books etc.)
__ Has a good vocabulary for age.
__ Communicates to others in a highly verbal way.
Logical-Mathematical Intelligence
__ Asks a lot of questions about how things work.
__ Enjoys working or playing with numbers.
__ Enjoys math class.
__ Finds math and computer (logic) games interesting.
__ Enjoys playing chess, checkers, or other logical strategy games.
__ Enjoys working on logic puzzles or brainteasers.
__ Enjoys putting things in categories, hierarchies, or other logical patterns..
__ Enjoys science class.
__ Shows interest in science-related topics.
__ Does well on Piagetian-type assessments of logical thinking.

26. Student Inventory (cont’d)
26
Spatial Intelligence
__ Reports clear visual images.
__ Reads maps, charts, and diagrams more easily than text.
__ Daydreams a lot.
__ Enjoys art activities.
__ Good at drawings.
__ Likes to view movies, slides, or other visual presentations.
__ Likes to draw or doodle.
__ Builds interesting three-dimensional constructions using legos or other building materials.
__ Gets more out of pictures than words while reading..
__Enjoys doing puzzles, mazes, or similar visual activities.
Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence
__ Excels in one or more sports..
__ Moves, twitches, taps, or fidgets while seated for a long time in one spot.
__ Cleverly mimics other people’s gestures or mannerisms.
__ Loves to take things apart and put them back together again.
__ Puts his/her hands all over something he’s/she’s just seen.
__ Enjoys running, jumping, wrestling, or similar activities (e.g. running to class, jumping over a chair etc.).
__ Shows skill in a craft (e.g. woodworking, sewing, mechanics), or good fine-motor coordination in other ways.
__ Has a dramatic way of expressing herself/himself.
__ Enjoys dare devil amusement rides.
__ Enjoys working with clay or other tactile experiences (e.g. finger painting).

27. Student Inventory (cont’d)
27
Musical Intelligence
__ Has a pleasant singing voice.
__ Can tell when a musical note is off-key.
__ Frequently listen to music on radio, records, cassettes, or compact discs.
__ Plays a musical instrument.
__ Remembers melodies of songs.
__ Has a rhythmic way of speaking and/or moving.
__ Unconsciously hums to himself/herself.
__ Taps rhythmically on the table or desk as he/she works..
__ Is sensitive to environmental noises (e.g. rain on the roof)
__ Sings songs that he/she has learned outside of the classroom.
Interpersonal Intelligence
__ Enjoys socializing with peers.
__ Seems to be a natural leader.
__ Gives sound advice to friends who have problems
__ Seems to be street-smart.
__ Belongs to clubs, committees, organizations,or informal peer groups (e.g. cliques, gangs, etc.).
__ Enjoys informally teaching other kids.
__ Likes to play games with other kids.
__ Has two or more close friends.
__ Has a good sense of empathy or concern for others.
__ Others seek out his/her company.

28. Student Inventory (cont’d)
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Intrapersonal Intelligence
__ Displays a sense of independence or a strong will..
__ Has a realistic sense of his/her abilities and weaknesses.
__ Does well when left alone to play or study.
__ Marches to the beat of a different drummer.
__ Has an interest or hobby that he/she doesn’t talk much about.
__ Has a good sense of self-direction.
__ Prefers working alone to working with others.
__ Accurately expresses how he/she is feeling.
__ Is able to learn from his/her mistakes and failures in life.
__ Has a good sense of self-esteem.
Naturalist Intelligence
__ Relates better to animals (e.g. pets),than to people..
__ Likes field trips to natural settings.
__ Notices details in natural formations (e.g. clouds, mountains, geology, etc.) that others might miss.
__ Likes to hang around the gerbil cage, aquarium, terrarium, or other natural objects in class.
__ Prefers to spend free time in natural setting.
__ Speaks out for the rights of animals, or the preservation of the environment.
__ Has an ability to identify different kinds of birds, plants, or other living things.
__ Has a pretty highly developed sense of ecological awareness and/or sense of responsibility for helping to take care
of Mother Earth.
__ Enjoys doing nature projects, such as bird watching, butterfly or insect collections, or raising animals..
__ Does well in topics at school related to living systems (e.g. biology, environment studies etc.).

29. Boyle's Law – 8 Ways
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Boyle’s Law
Word Smart –
definition
Logic Smart - equation
Picture Smart – visual
metaphor
Music Smart – mnemonic chant
Body Smart – mouth experiment
Nature Smart – scuba diving
example
People Smart – cooperative simulation
Self Smart – personal reflection
(“think of a time in your life….”)

30. MI Lesson Plan Mind-Map
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Objective
Word Smart - How can
I use the spoken or
written word?
Logic Smartl - How can I bring in
numbers, calculations, logic,
classifications, or critical
thinking?
Picture Smart - How can I
use visual aids,
visualization, color, art, or
metaphor?
Music Smart - How can I bring in music or
environmental sounds, or set key points in
a rhythmic or melodic framework?
Body Smart - How can I involve
the whole body or the use of hands-
on experiences?Nature Smart - How can I
incorporate living things or
systems?
People Smart - How can I engage
students in peer sharing, cooperative
learning, or large group simulation?
Self Smart - How can I evoke
personal feelings or memories, or
give students choices?

31. Phonemic Awareness
31
Linguistic - word
patterns
Logical-Mathematical - Venn
diagram
Spatial – picture and sound
Musical - apples and bananas song
Bodily-Kinesthetic - ee and oo
gestures
Naturalist - bird sounds
Interpersonal - ee and oo groups
ee and oo
sounds
Intrapersonal - ee and oo emotionally
expressed

32. Multiplication – 8 Ways
32
Times Tables
Word Smart -
Storytelling
Logic Smart -Pattern Seeking
Picture Smart -Modular
Math
Music Smart - Clapping Rhythms
Body Smart -Math Calisthentics
Nature Smart -Multiples In Nature
People Smart - Cooperative Circle
Self Smart - Self-Discovery

33. Vocabulary – 8 Ways
33
Tatterdemalion
Word Smart – Use it in
a sentence
Logic Smart –Look up its
etymology
Picture Smart – Draw a
picture of it
Music Smart – Chant it rhythmically with
the definition
Body Smart –Express it in a body
movement or gesture
Nature Smart –Connect it in some
way to nature
People Smart – Have a conversation
using the word several times.
Self Smart – Share a personal
story that includes this word

34. Use Activity Centers For:
• Vocabulary
• Spelling Words
• Reading Passages
• Science Concepts
• Historical Facts
• Math Formulas
• Current Events
• Grammatical Usage
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35. Open-ended
Topic-specific
Permanent Temporary
Quadrant 1 –
Permanent Open-
ended Activity
Centers
Quadrant 2 –
Temporary Open-
ended Activity
Centers
Quadrant 4 –
Permanent Topic-
Specific Activity
Centers
Quadrant 3 –
Temporary Topic-
Specific Activity
Centers
Types of Activity CentersTypes of Activity Centers
35

36. MI Lesson Plan Mind-Map
36
Word Smart -
Logic Smart -
Picture Smart -
Music Smart -
Body Smart -
Nature Smart -
People Smart -
Self Smart -

37. Resources
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Armstrong, Thomas. Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom, 3nd Ed.. Alexandria, VA: ASCD, 2009.
Armstrong, Thomas. 7 Kinds of Smart: Identifying and Developing Your Many Intelligences: Revised and
Updated with Information on 2 New Kinds of Smart. , New York: Plume, 1999.
Armstrong, Thomas. In Their Own Way: Discovering and Encouraging Your Child’s Multiple Intelligences.
New York: Tarcher/Putnam-Penguin, 2000.
Armstrong, Thomas. The Multiple Intelligences of Reading and Writing: Making the Words Come Alive.
Alexandria, VA: ASCD, 2003.
Armstrong, Thomas. You’re Smarter Than You Think: A Kids’ Guide to Multiple Intelligences. Minneapolis,
MN: Free Spirit, 2003.
Campbell, L. and B. Campbell. Multiple Intelligences and Student Achievement: Success Stories from Six
Schools. Alexandria, VA: ASCD, 2000.
Chen, Ji-Qi, S. Moran, and H. Gardner (eds). Multiple Intelligences Around the World. San Francisco, Jossey-
Bass, 2009.
Gardner, Howard. Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences. New York: Basic Books, 1983.
Gardner, Howard.. Intelligence Reframed: Multiple Intelligences for the 21st Century. New York: Basic, 1999
Multiple Intelligences Institute (online courses on MI) – www.miinstitute.info.
Shearer, Branton. Multiple Intelligences Developmental Assessment Scales. (MIDAS) www.miresearch.org. .

38. Contact Information
• Email: thomas@institute4learning.com
• Website: www.institute4learning.com
• Blog: http://institute4learning.com/blog/
• Twitter: @Dr_Armstrong
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