Classroom
Guidance Lesson: Multiple Intelligences
Alicia C., Arianne D.,
and Natalie S.
Grade level: 9th Grade
Rationale:
Entering
high school is a considerable academic shift for many 9th grade students. In
order to encourage greater engagement in their schoolwork and to help increase
the likelihood that they will experience success across all subject areas,
students will work to identify unique ways they can approach their learning
through the use of multiple intelligences. Over the course of a month-long unit
(4 lessons total), students will come to understand the nine different
intelligences and how they relate to themselves as learners.
As
a result of this lesson in particular, students will walk away knowing what the
term “multiple intelligences” means and will gain a working understanding of
three types of intelligences (word smart, body smart, and art smart). The lesson
will begin with a brief class-wide discussion about what it means to be
intelligent and a mini “lecture” to deliver vocabulary terms. Next, students
will be divided into three small groups and given instructions on a task to
complete that utilizes one of the intelligences they learned about earlier in
the lesson. After 10 minutes of working together, students will have the
opportunity to share their work with the class and will have a discussion about
what they learned and what the experience was like for them as individuals. By
engaging in this small-group activity and class discussion, students will
discover how three different intelligences can be utilized to complete the same
academic task. They will also be asked to consider whether they used one of their
“top intelligences” during the lesson.
Applicable ASCA Standards:
A:A2.4
Apply knowledge and learning styles to positively influence school performance
A:B1.6
Use knowledge of learning styles to positively influence school performance
PS:A1.1
Develop positive attitudes towards self as a unique and worthy person
Introduction (5-7 minutes):
●
As the counselors begin the guidance lesson, students will
be asked about their current understanding and familiarity on multiple
intelligences. Once students have responded, the school counselor(s) will
provide a general overview of Howard Gardner and his model of the multiple
intelligences. Students will receive brief information on all nine types of
multiple intelligences but will be reminded that, while the lesson introduces
all modalities, the guidance lesson will focus specifically on three: (1) Word
Smart; (2) Art Smart; and (3) Body Smart. The counselor will then present
additional information on these three types of “smarts,” and how they may
manifest differently among all learners. They will share the goal of the
guidance lesson and its importance to understand especially among school-aged
students. Now that they have received this information, introduce Alicia to
explain the activity.
Developmental Learning Activity (10 minutes):
● To start the activity split the
class up into three groups, one group for each of the “smarts”. Assign an area
within the classroom where each group can congregate in their own space and
prepare themselves for the activity. Go over the general instructions so that
each group has an idea of the activity, it is important that the students know
this should be a school appropriate story. The materials and instruction sheets
(referenced at the end of this document) should be printed out and ready to go.
The students will then be handed their instruction sheet and assigned the
corresponding “smart”. The timer should be set for 10 minutes and started once
every group has their materials and instructions for the activity.
● As the students begin the activity
the counselor(s) should be walking around and checking in with the different
groups to make sure they are on task and that everyone is participating. The
timer gives the students a visual reference for how much time they have left
and keeps the activity under a certain amount of time to make sure there will
be enough time for discussion and a wrap up.
● As the timer comes to an end, make
sure every group is wrapped up and completed the activity to the best of their
ability. Provide the students with encouragement and thank them for
participating in the activity.
● Natalie will then jump in and
continue on with a discussion and wrap up.
Assessment/Evaluation (5-7 minutes):
● If time allows, ask each group if
they would like to share with the class what they did- either by summarizing
their work or showing it. Don’t forget to thank them for sharing!
● Next, facilitatie a class-wide
discussion regarding the activity. Ask questions that require students to tie
together what they learned today and what they already knew or learned about
themselves:
○ What was that experience like for
you?
○ Did you find it easy or difficult to
use the intelligence given to you to compete the activity?
○ Does anyone think they utilized one
of their top intelligences today? Why do you think so? Why not?
○ Exit ticket (To encourage/reward
student engagement, counselor(s) may consider giving out a small piece of candy
or other prizes to students who correctly answer):
■ Who can give the class a definition
of multiple intelligence?
■ Who can give a brief definition or
description of what it means to be “Word Smart?” What about “Body Smart” and
“Art Smart?”
Closing and Follow Up (1 minute):
● Close the lesson by thanking the
students again for their participation and willingness to engage in the lesson.
Before the counselor(s) leave, they should collect all materials used from the
students, including their stories, to potentially be used again as reference in
future lessons. Remind the students that next week, we will learn about three
new intelligences.
Resources/Materials Needed:
● Access to computer and projector for
displaying powerpoint slides
● Pre-printed directions for each
group (reference below)
● Paper (lined and unlined)
● Writing utensils (pencils, pens)
● Colored pencils, markers
● Candy for rewarding engagement
(optional)
Word Smart
Using the materials provided to you,
tell a story about an activity your group would like to do on spring break this
year. Be creative! You could do this by:
- Writing creative story or
blog post
- Writing a poem
- Writing a speech (to be
delivered orally)
Make sure every member of your group
is participating! This means that every person in your group should write
a portion of this story.
Art Smart
Using the materials provided to you,
tell a story about an activity your group would like to do on spring break this
year. Be creative! You could do this by:
- Creating a comic strip
- Drawing a picture or mural
- Creating a picture book
Make sure every member of your group
is participating! This means that every person in your group should draw
a portion of this story.
Body Smart
Using the materials provided to you,
tell a story about an activity your group would like to do on spring break this
year. Be creative! You could do this by:
- Creating a skit
- Playing charades
- Choreographing a dance