The Many Ways of S.M.A.R.T.

Teaching about multiple intelligence is very important in establishing a classroom respect for diversity and fostering smartness in every child. Start by brainstorming the types of occupations that make our lives so rich. We have doctors and surgeons, lawyers and writers, firefighters and sport teams, Oprah and Dr. Phil, Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King Jr., musicians and museums. There are so many ways to contribute to the richness of life.

In our classrooms we have students with the life potential for each of these areas of expertise. Our job is to nurture the potential of each student. The first step is to create a classroom environment of respect for all types of excellence. The multiple intelligences, identified by Howard Gardner, are research based on many cultures around the world. The eight intelligences are logical-mathematical, verbal-linguistic, visual-spatial, musical-rhythmic, bodily-kinesthetic, naturalist, interpersonal and intrapersonal. As you introduce curriculum you can teach about the many forms of intelligence.

Start a math lesson by asking your students where is math used in our world. Math is at your grocery store, the airport, your rec. center, on the highway, building houses, deciding what to buy... "Can we think of any where that math is not used?" Challenge them. Logical-mathematics is a core for thinking in our society. "What cultures use little math?" Discussion.   "Right now we are studying geometry. What jobs use geometry?"

As you begin reading or writing discuss the verbal-linguistic intelligence. "Raise your hand if you like to read... Why?" Discuss.

"Who are some people with good verbal-linguistic intelligence?" Favorite authors are named. "People who make significant speeches are showing this intelligence also because it is about using words to express ideas. Who do you know as great speech-makers?"   Thomas Armstrong is an excellent writer about multiple intelligences. Students may learn more by reading his newest book, You're Smarter Than You Think: A Kid's Guide to Multiple Intelligences. Teachers will profit from Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom or ASCD's The Multiple Intelligence of Reading and Writing and parents from In Their Own Way: Discovering and Encouraging Your Child's Multiple Intelligences .

"Another intelligence is visual-spatial. What do you think encompasses this intelligence?" Note responses on the board. "Who do you know that seems to have visual-spatial intelligence?" "Yes, those are good people you have heard about. Who in our class do you think has high visual-spatial intelligence?" "What occupations besides artists need visual-spatial intelligence? Hopefully the students will think of air traffic controllers, scientists, surgeons and architects. "You go to art class to learn basic skills, but we need to use sketching in science to more accurately view objects, we need to draw illustrations of your own writing and stories you read, and in geometry we need visual-spatial skills. Your brain has more neurons doing visual-spatial tasks than the areas for language and math combined."

Musical-rhythmic is an intelligence that many parents nurture outside of school. I've enjoyed the amazing expertise of children who started music lessons early. The arts, music and visual and dance, are the paths for expressing one's culture. They are the heart of celebrations all across the world.

Sports dominate much of our world. Baseball, football, soccer, hockey and more. Children's teams, have become a normal part of family life. Bodily-kinesthetic, an important intelligence for lifelong health, needs to be honored in our classrooms. But what happens at recess? Do the boys run and the girls stand around and talk? Are children doing balance beam activities and pull-ups for upper body strength? Do the young ones know how to play 4 square and various dodge ball games? Do you understand the physical education curriculum in your school? How many ways can your students move during the day? Did you know kinesthetic students read better when they are walking? Try sending a restless reader into the hall to walk and read. Teach your students to reach to the ceiling and wiggle out their body tension. Put on some music and dance together before a sit-down time.

Naturalist intelligence is exceedingly important in our increasingly urban world. "Who likes animals? Who likes insects? Who has plants in their home?" Without nature around us we lose meaning. Have a discussion on the nature places your students' value. What kinds of jobs are related to the naturalist intelligence?

Intrapersonal intelligence means you run your own life effectively. Ask your students what they think it means to run your life effectively. Is it getting your work done on time, being at your bus stop on time, knowing what school papers you need to give to your parents? This is a core intelligence. When you are good with your self intelligence you can grow in the other intelligences. How can you set up procedures in your classroom to help students be more responsible for themselves? How are you helping your students develop the self-responsibility to become more intrapersonally intelligent?

Interpersonal intelligence means you can work with others effectively.   Cooperation is a crucial skill in our lives, whether at home or work. How are you teaching students to cooperation in small groups? Have you discussed how to think about each others' talents when beginning a group task? Do you regularly have groups evaluate how they worked together?

The concept of multiple intelligences can greatly enrich our classrooms. As you explore your own multiple intelligences you will find ways to foster the many kinds of S.M.A.R.T.. You might try listing an intelligence on you chalkboard and have students sign in, 0-10, on the spot they believe relates to their own expertise in this intelligence. Talk about intelligences as you introduce math, reading, writing and group work. Brainstorm lists of people that represent outstanding intelligences in particular areas. Convince your students that they are not doing assignments but rather are developing their intelligences. Have fun!