Chapter 5: MI Theory and Curriculum and Development

Abstract:

Chapter six is all about teaching strategies that work for all eight intelligences. The chapter also explains that the problem with every type of strategy is that as there will be a group of students who excel there will be a group that will struggle. Because of students individual differences MI strongly suggests that teachers us many different types of teaching strategies even though they wont reach all kids. Armstrong gave four examples of teaching strategies for each intelligence, but I will summarize one for each. For linguistic learners the first strategy is storytelling. Storytelling meshes essential concepts, ideas, and instructional goals into the story that you tell the students. For Logical-Mathematical a strategy was classifications and categorizations. In this students would do exactly what the name suggests, classify and categorize different pieces of data. Spatial suggested using picture metaphors. A picture metaphor expresses the concept of visual imagery used to display the key point or main concept. Bodily-Kinesthetic learners could be taught by using the strategy body answers. Body answers is as simple as having your students raise their hands if they understand, or it could be blink and eye, or lift one finger. Make it interesting and constantly change it so that people don’t get bored. For Musical teachers can use rhythms, songs, raps, and chants. This is a awesome teaching tool for teaching memorization information like spelling, states, capitals, counties. Interpersonal students would really enjoy peer sharing. This is as simple as turning to your neighbor to talk about an idea, or team up to find an answer. Intrapersonal student would appreciate what Armstrong calls “one-minute reflection periods”. This is pretty self explanatory, however it is just periodically throughout a class period have the student either write a sentence alone or take a moment to take it in. The last type is Naturalist. For this nature walks are suggested. Try to find a way to make a connection between what you’re teaching and the outdoors, and when you do physically go out there to see it.

Synopsis:

Reading through your entries I found that most of you really appreciated the different strategies that are suggested throughout the book. This was especially helpful to people in the area that they are weakest. Almost everyone said which intelligence was their weakest and the different ideas in that area are going to be extremely helpful.