A quick googling of “multiple intelligences” results in a laundry list of websites explaining the basic theory, but not a whole lot to introduce the concept to students. Here are some activities that I dreamed up to illustrate each area of intelligence, and activate that intelligence a little.
- First, students will need some paper to write some notes and draw some pictures.
- Visual/Spatial – Create a detailed drawing out of a simple line
- Verbal/Linguistic – write a short story about your drawing
- Logical/Mathematical – Magic squares addition puzzle. 9 points puzzle.
- Musical – Write your three favorite songs. Play “Name that tune” with a partner by humming or drumming the song.
- Natural – List as many cat species as possible in 60 seconds.
- Kinesthetic – Cross Crawl
- Stand with your feet slightly apart, arms at your sides. Lift your right knee toward your chest as you cross your left hand over the midline of your body, placing the hand, palm open, to the outside of the right knee.
- Return to the starting position, and repeat with the right hand and left knee to complete 1 set. Do at least 12 sets. You can perform this move quickly and rhythmically to build energy, or very slowly to emphasize balance.
- Interpersonal – Write down three get-to-know you questions. Interview one other student.
- Intrapersonal – Answer the question “What do you do that makes you feel smart?”
