Multiple Intelligences

Performance Learning PLUS is a monthly e-newsletter by Performance Learning Systems (PLS), a comprehensive educational services company that has provided a full spectrum of programs, products, and consulting services for educators and business professionals since 1971.

This issue focuses on MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCES.

Tips...

To enrich your students' learning experiences, you can create a classroom climate that supports all eight of Howard Gardner's multiple intelligences. Below are checklists for two of these: Interpersonal and Intrapersonal. For your future reference, you may want to print out this e-newsletter and check each item that is true for your classroom. Then notice the items that aren't checked, and find ways to integrate these into your classroom climate.

Interpersonal Intelligence

A classroom climate checklist:

Atmosphere

• There is a sense of trust between teacher and students.
• There is a sense of belonging for individuals and among students.
• Competitiveness is controlled and competitive activities are used sparingly.

Conflict Resolution

• There are established routines for conflict resolution between teacher and student.
• There are established procedures for conflict resolution among students.
• There is a sense of respect for diversity and personal differences.
• There is recognition and respect for individual opinions.

Sense of Safety

• Students perceive an absence of threat from school personnel.
• Students perceive an absence of threat from peers and other schoolmates.
• Personal property is respected and secure.
• There is a sense of psychological and social respect and absence of abuse.

Social Engagements

• Interpersonal interactions are predominantly positive.
• Students share responsibility and group cohesiveness.
• A variety of group compositions are used.
• There is flexibility in how group compositions are chosen.
• Balance among individual, pair, small-group, and large-group work is maintained.

Intrapersonal Intelligence

A classroom climate checklist:

Privacy

• Students have a sense of personal privacy.
• Students' property, space, ideas, and bodies are safe.
• There is a sense of confidentiality.

Esteeming Environment

• Students are free from ridicule by peers and adults.
• Students are not compared to each other.
• Students' work is publicly displayed only with their consent.
• Compliments and encouragement are used more than praise.

Opportunity for Reflection

• Time for reflection is planned at different times throughout the day.
• The teacher models different kinds of personal reflection.
• The teacher models reflective thinking.
• Instructional opportunities for intrapersonal thinking are provided.

Intrapersonal Expression

• Students have choices about whether to express their work.
• Students have choices about how to express their work.
• Intrapersonal work is not subjected to group evaluation.
• Intrapersonal reflection is an integral part of instruction.
• Students' personal reflections are respected by the teacher.

Source: The above concepts are based on the PLS graduate course, PURPOSEFUL LEARNING THROUGH MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCES.

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