Differentiation via Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences

Martha López Coleman

May 15, 2009

Anyway you want it - Journey

What is differentiation?

• Simply put it’s choice for the students

• According to Carol Ann Tomlinson (2005) differentiating instruction means students have multiple options for instruction and assessments but the same objectives.

Why use differentiation?

• Students with choices are usually happier and work harder.

• Teacher is busy facilitating but is working with smaller groups which allows for built-in remediation.

• Because even you get tried of worksheets!

How do I do differentiate?

• Tomlinson (2005) says you should start with one strategy. Get comfortable with one and then add more.

• I say MI is the perfect jumping off point.

What are multiple intelligences?

• Gardner (Campbell & Campbell, 1999) describes intelligence as “the ability to solve problems, to make culturally relevant contributions to one’s community and to identify new challenges to pursue.”

• So according to the theory of MI, the mind’s problem solving abilities are multi-faceted. (Campbell & Campbell, 1999)

9 Multiple Intelligences

• Linguistic – Word Smart• Logical – Number Smart• Visual-spatial – Picture Smart• Kinesthetic – Body Smart• Musical – Music Smart• Interpersonal – People Smart• Intrapersonal – Myself Smart• Naturalist – Nature Smart• Existential – Big Picture Smart

Excellent chart found @ http://www.afterschoolnetwork.org/files/Multiple_Intelligences_chart.pdf

Finding your MI

• www.bgfl.org/multipleintelligences

All of the following MI charts were made using the above website.

Other site to use:

• http://literacyworks.org/mi/assessment/findyourstrengths.html

My MI Chart

No Myth – Michael Penn

My husband’s chart

“W’s” Chart

“L’s” Chart

“S’s” Chart

Whole Class

M.I. Thematic Unit Example

Assignment Intelligence

Complete and share a research paper

Verbal/Linguistic

Develop a chart or graph relating to your topic

Logical/Mathematical

Organize/participate in walking/biking field trip

Body/Kinesthetic

Create a music slide show or music video relating to the environment

Musical/Rhythmic

Act as a reader for other student’s papers

Interpersonal

Environmental Ethics Unit

Adapted from Multiple Intelligences (1996)

Questions for M.I. Apple

• Linguistic: How does the apple look?

• Bodily: How does the apple feel?

• Logical: What shape is the apple?

• Interpersonal: Compare your apple to your neighbor’s apple.

• Musical: Write a song about your apple.

Adapted from Multiple Intelligences (1996)

Questions?

Works Cited

Campbell, L. and Campbell, B. (1999). Multiple Intelligences and Student Achievement: Success stories from six schools. Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development: Alexandria, VA

Multiple Intelligence. (1996). National Education Association of the United States.

Tomlinson, C.A. (2001). How to Differentiate Instruction in a Mixed-Ability Classrooms 2nd Ed. Pearson Merrill Prentice Hall: Upper Saddle River, NJ.