
Each person is "smart" in his or her own way. By developing and building on their strengths, we can help students use their intelligences to enhance their understanding of new concepts. Howard Gardner describes an intelligence as the ability to solve problems or create meaningful products in a particular setting. Gardner has identified at least eight ways in which we learn and know about reality that are common to all cultures. Following are the eight intelligences and their corresponding indicators.

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Verbal - Linguistic Intelligence (Word Smart) *loves language and words *enjoys reading and writing *is good at word games and puzzles *uses metaphors and colorful language
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Logical - Mathematical (Math Smart) *creates logical patterns *is good at strategy games *enjoys numbers and calculations *uses lists and step by step approach
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Visual - Spatial (Picture Smart) *can transform images easily into another medium *has a vivid imagination *is interested in color, arrangement, texture, balance and design *likes pictures, video, computers and TV |
Bodily - Kinesthetic (Body Smart) *prefers to learn by doing *likes to use the whole body to process learning *might be an athlete *might be a performer, a dancer, or an actor *likes to construct and deconstruct |
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Musical - Rhythmic (Music Smart) *easily recognizes tomes and rhythms *often sings, hums, or taps *knows the words to many songs *is sensitive to environmental sounds *might play an instrument or sing
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Naturalist (Nature Smart) *has sensitivity and connection to the natural world *notices seasonal and other environmental changes *recognizes patterns in nature *works best outdoors or near a window *likes to have plants or animals around |
Interpersonal (People Smart) *communicates well *enjoys working with and helping others *is very social and has many friends *can read others' intentions, moods and feelings
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Intrapersonal (Self Smart) *processes information and solves problems best while alone *takes time for reflection and contemplation *is independent and not very social *has a strong intuitive sense
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Take a test to find out which dominant intelligence you are.

A Learning Style or modality, is how each of us prefers to gather information from the environment.
The three basic learning styles are:
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*Visual (see, read, observe) *Auditory (hear, talk, listen) *Kinesthetic/Tactile (touch, do, participate) |
Take a test to find out your dominant learning style.

| Sponsor: Deb Bruemmer Author and Publisher: Joyann Clemens Webmaster: Tracy Albert Created: 3/28/08 |
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