What is the theory?
 The theory states that individuals are intelligent within eight different categories: verbal-linguistic, visual-spatial, musical, logical-mathematical, bodily-kinesthetic, naturalistic, interpersonal, and intrapersonal.  Originally, there were only seven identified intelligences.  In the past few years, both the naturalistic and existential intelligences have been added.  Each category of intelligence is characterized by unique attributes and usually coincides with a child’s behavior and interests.  The theory suggests that children and adults learn better through their specific intelligences, and will have greater success.

Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom by Thomas Armstrong: http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=zCdxFRFmXpQC&oi=fnd&pg=PR7&dq=multiple+intelligences+in+the+classroom&ots=g8ynbCodC-&sig=E0eHQY0H8KqnRqeVNHlRmxXbOZc#v=onepage&q&f=false

Multiple Intelligence theory: http://www.thomasarmstrong.com/multiple_intelligences.htm

Multiple Intelligences by Howard Gardner: http://books.google.com/books?id=qEEC8lyAwWoC&printsec=frontcover&dq=multiple+intelligences&source=bl&ots=uNM7DGKgka&sig=XyTICMCBjxsx0SOLLaZ4keEx51E&hl=en&ei=3yPGS8iBA4L78Abf95SRDw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CAgQ6AEwADgK#v=onepage&q&f=false
Details about the intelligences: http://www.businessballs.com/howardgardnermultipleintelligences.htm

What about early childhood?
In young children, the intelligences are not always fully developed.  Many times, behaviors are the most contributing factor in determining intelligences.  There are certain characteristics that you can observe that will show what intelligences might be developing in each child.  In young children you should always remain open minded, because the intelligences can still change as interests alter and focus. 

PBS for Teachers: http://www.pbs.org/teachers/earlychildhood/articles/learningmodalities.html

Supporting your child’s intelligence: http://www.childcareaware.org/en/subscriptions/dailyparent/volume.php?id=45

Helping develop your child’s intelligence: http://www.casacanada.com/cande.html

How are the intelligences assessed?
There are many theories on assessing the multiple intelligences.  Most assessments involve asking questions about interests, hobbies, and behaviors you exhibit, and categorizes you based on the results.  We have created what we believe will be a great assessment for early childhood students to survey the multiple intelligences.  The assessment can be read to a young child, or given independently to students who are capable of reading on their own.

Link to our assessment: MI Assessment

Birmingham Grid for Learning: http://www.bgfl.org/bgfl/custom/resources_ftp/client_ftp/ks3/ict/multiple_int/index.htm

Abiator’s Active Classroom: http://www.berghuis.co.nz/abiator/lsi/mi_test.html

Multiple Intelligence test for Children: http://kidsahoy.multiply.com/reviews/item/35

How do you implement the multiple intelligences in the classroom?
Every teacher will have to implement the multiple intelligences in their classroom differently.  However, there are many ways you can implement them using techniques you might already use such as centers.  During centers time, teachers can give students choices that focus in on their multiple intelligences.  If you do not already use centers, you can use a project-based learning style in your classroom.  Giving student’s options or using the children’s interests to guide instruction can help students develop projects that will let them use their unique intelligences while discovering curriculum.  Teachers can also use a variety of techniques to include all children through a wide range of lesson plans. 

New Teacher’s Handbook: http://www.teachersnetwork.org/media/nthchapterbenna.htm

Increasing the chance for success: http://www.context.org/ICLIB/IC27/Campbell.htm

Lesson plan ideas: http://www.lth3.k12.il.us/rhampton/mi/LessonPlanIdeas.htm

For the ESL classroom: http://esl.about.com/od/teachingenglish/a/l_multiple.htm

Lesson plans and ideas: http://www.igs.net/~cmorris/mi_lesson_plans.html

Technology and the Multiple intelligences: http://www.america-tomorrow.com/ati/nhl80402.htm

Some suggested activities: http://www.teachervision.fen.com/intelligence/teaching-methods/2204.html

Another Idea!
We have developed a system for implementing the multiple intelligences using a “tic-tac-toe” project-based environment.  The teacher chooses the theme or the content that needs to be covered, and comes up with a tic-tac-toe board that gives students a variety of choices.  You can monitor this strategy in a variety of ways, but we suggest that teacher’s create some kind of magnetic board with the tic-tac-toe board drawn out.  Each student should have one or two magnets, and will place their magnets in the section(s) of their choosing.  This will let the teacher see what projects students are doing and who might need the most help.  This strategy can be used across grade levels, and can be modified to fit your individual classroom.

Click here to view our choice guide.

What do the critics say?
Many critics say that this is not a groundbreaking theory.  They say that it is not deeply rooted in intelligence, but instead it surveys aptitude, interest, and talent.  There are already so many categories, and critics say that these intelligences will just continue to expand, making it difficult to identify.  Also, the use of multiple intelligences can really move away from traditional curriculum and move towards a skill-related style of teaching and learning. 

Critics say: http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/concept2class/mi/index_sub4.html

Criticism from Indiana University: http://www.indiana.edu/~intell/mitheory.shtml

Critics of the Multiple Intelligences: http://www.igs.net/~cmorris/critiques.html

What are some online resources I can let the kids use?
Technology is extremely prevalent in this day and age.  You can use the internet to your benefit in your classroom or at home by finding websites that fit the children’s unique needs and intelligences.  If you use the technology to really spur children’s interest in learning, these websites can really help create lifelong, motivated learners.  Most interactive websites will also emphasize visual, auditory, and linguistic learners, although each one is different and will encompass other intelligences.

View some great interactive websites for your classroom here!