The Multiple Intelligences

Much of the new way of looking at Teaching Children builds upon the work of Howard Gardner, who identified Seven Intelligences. Wholistic programs use all seven--although not by trying to cram them all in every week!

VERBAL/LINGUISTIC - You think in words and use language to express and understand complex meaning. You are sensitive to the meaning of words as well as the order of words, their sounds, rhythms, and inflections. You learn best by verbalizing and hearing words.

LOGICAL/MATHEMATICAL - You are a problem solver, critical and abstract thinker. You learn best through measuring, categorizing, analyzing, or quantifying in some way.

VISUAL/SPATIAL - You have the capacity to think in visual images. You learn best through seeing and observing. You are creative.

BODILY/KINESTHETIC -You have an acute sense of body position in space and timing. You learn best by acting things out or with hands-on experiences.

MUSICAL/RHYTHMIC - You have a capacity to use rhythm, tone, and pitch. You learn best when things are put to music. You probably express your feelings through music.

INTRAPERSONAL - You have the capacity to be reflective. You know yourself and your inner feelings. You have the ability to be intuitive. You learn best by working alone.

INTERPERSONAL - You possess the ability to interact with others. You are a team player, good at mediating conflicts, and a socializer. You learn best through group activities.

In 1999, Gardner added an 8th Intelligence:

NATURALIST - You are interested in the natural world including plants, animals, and scientific studies. You are able to recognize and classify individuals, species and ecological relationships. You interact effectively with living creatures and discern patterns of life and natural forces.

• USA Weekend Article on the Multiple Intelligences
• Multiple Intelligences Site by Thomas Armstrong: Jumpoff site with links to other MI sites and references
• Site with Interactive self-tests to determine your "intelligences" and learning styles from a "learning disabilities pride" group
• Multiple Intelligence Inventory from Surfaquarium -- to print and score by hand
• Aptitude/Career Test based on assessing your top "Intelligences":
  scored by computer
• Quick Slideshow Explaining the Multiple Intelligences
• Comprehensive Article on Multiple Intelligences (you need to download the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to read it)
• Interesting article on Howard Gardner

The Workshop/Rotation Model (WoRM)

Last Updated: March 05, 2005