Page 51 - Teaching English at Primary Level: From Theory into the Classroom

Multiple Intelligences

Table 2.3 Activities Catering for Different Intelligences
Type Description Classroom activities
Linguistic The ability to use language in special and Group discussions
intelligence creative ways. People with a strong lin- Word games
guistic intelligence are sensitive to sounds, Pupils’ presentations
rhythm, and meanings of words. Storytelling
Logical- The ability to think rationally. People with Puzzles
mathematical a strong logical-mathematical intelligence Problem-solving tasks
intelligence are good at problem-solving, analysing, dis- Looking for analogies
covering patterns. Classifying
Comparing
Spatial The ability to form mental models of the Using charts, maps, diagrams
intelligence world. People have a good perception of Imaginative storytelling
space, sense of orientation, and visual ca- Painting and collage
pacity. Optical illusions
Musical A good ear for music. People with this intel- Playing recorded music
intelligence ligence are good at perceiving and produc- Using musical instruments
ing sound elements, such as rhythm, pitch Singing
and melody. Jazz chants
Bodily- Having a well-coordinated body which en- Role plays
kinaesthetic ables physical expression. Hands-on activities
intelligence Mime
Drama
Interpersonal The ability to be able to work well with peo- Working in teams
intelligence ple. People with a strong interpersonal in- Peer teaching
telligence are good at recognizing other Pair work
people’s moods, temperaments, motiva- Board games
tions, and intentions.
Intrapersonal The ability to understand oneself and ap- Independent work
intelligence ply one’s talent successfully. People with Individualized projects
a strong intrapersonal intelligence are fo- Self-assessment
cused inward, they understand their own Journal keeping
feelings and are able to learn from experi-
ence.
Naturalist The ability to understand and organize the Semantic maps related to nature
intelligence patterns of nature. Naturalist people are Classifying flora and fauna
good at observing, understanding and or- Field trips
ganizing patterns in the natural environ- Observation of nature
ment and they enjoy in the natural world.

ideas for lesson organisation. Table 2.3 shows the description of individual
intelligences with examples of activities which cater for them (Richards &
Rodgers, 2001).

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