5th Grade English

Name: _________________________
Date: _________________
Advisory: _________________

Class Work: Yolonda’s Genius Schema

Multiple Intelligences
Retell

Key Understanding: When reading a text, especially a challenging text,

it is important to locate important details that are essential to a deep
understanding of the text.

Retell questions ask you to recall important literal details related to the
main idea of the passage. To answer retell questions, always return to the
text for evidence! Then, actively read the answer choices because the
answer choices do not always use the same words and phrasing that the
text uses.

Example:
Cities and Suburbs
A suburb is a community that is near to but outside of a city. In the United States,
suburbs originated when soldiers returned from World War II and wanted to settle down
with their families in areas that were less crowded than cities. Because transportation was
improving, people no longer needed to live in the city; they could commute instead. In
addition to being less crowded, suburbs tend to have more space for each family and might
include front lawns, backyards, and private property areas. Many families live on quiet
streets, in houses that look similar to one another, and near good schools. Often, people
move to the suburbs because they think suburbs are a great place to raise children.

1. All of the following are true about the suburbs except…

a. Suburbs have a less dense population than cities.
b. Suburbs have more open spaces than cities.
c. Suburbs have a lot of families and school-aged children.
d. Suburbs have a requirement that you must be a veteran to live there.

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 5th Grade English
Purpose for Reading: Today, we’ll read an article about the Theory of Multiple Intelligence and answer retell
questions to help us understand this challenging text. This is second of two articles about intelligence. These
passages connect to our new class novel, Yolonda’s Genius, which explores the idea of intelligence and what it
means to be a genius.

Directions: Read this passage about Multiple Intelligence and answer the questions that follow.

Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences

1 Howard Gardner of Harvard University has identified seven distinct intelligences.
According to Gardner, this theory has emerged1 from recent research on “the extent to
which students possess different kinds of minds and therefore learn, remember,
perform, and understand in different ways," (1991). According to this theory, "we are
all able to know the world through language, logical-mathematical analysis, spatial
representation, musical thinking, the use of the body to solve problems or to make
things, an understanding of other individuals, and an understanding of ourselves.
Where individuals differ is in the strength of these intelligences – the so-called profile of
intelligences – and in the ways in which such intelligences are invoked2 and combined
to carry out different tasks, solve diverse problems, and progress in various domains3."

1. Part A: In your own words, what is Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences?

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Part B: Which of the following lines best supports your answer above?
a. “Howard Gardner of Harvard University has identified seven distinct intelligences.”
b. “…this theory has emerged from recent research on ‘the extent to which students possess
different kinds of minds and therefore learn, remember,
perform, and understand in different ways.’”
c. “Where individuals differ is in the strength of these
intelligences.”
d. “…intelligences are invoked and combined to carry out
different tasks, solve diverse problems, and progress in
various domains.”

1
emerged: appeared or come forward
2 invoked: called upon
3 domains: areas of activity, interest, or knowledge, especially one that a particular person, organization etc. deals with

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 5th Grade English

2 Gardner says that these differences "challenge an educational system that assumes that
everyone can learn the same materials in the same way and that a uniform, universal
measure suffices to test student learning. Currently, our educational system is heavily
biased4 toward linguistic (verbal) modes of instruction and assessment and, to a
somewhat lesser degree, toward mathematical or quantitative modes as well." Gardner
argues that "it would be educationally effective” to vary our modes of teaching. Students
learn in ways that are identifiably distinctive. The broad spectrum of students - and
perhaps the society as a whole - would be better served if disciplines could be
presented in a number of ways and learning could be assessed through a variety of
means." Gardner’s theory contrasts those who believe in one kind of intelligence and
think that all intelligence comes from a single factor. This traditional theory of
intelligence holds that one’s intelligence quotient (IQ) is the single most important
measure of intelligence. These people sight studies that show that high IQ predicts
success.

2. Part A: As used in paragraph 2, modes most closely means…

a. strength
b. styles
c. improve
d. assessments

Part B: Which detail from the text best supports your answer to Part A?
a. “… everyone can learn the same materials in the same way …”
b. “… if disciplines could be presented in a number of ways …”
c. “… those who believe in one kind of intelligence ….”
d. “… one’s intelligence quotient (IQ) is the single most important measure of intelligence.”

3. What does Gardner mean when he says it would be “educationally effective” to vary our modes of
teaching? Support your answer with evidence.
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4 biased: unfairly preferring one person or group over another

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 5th Grade English
Gardner’s Seven Learning Styles

3 Visual-Spatial – People with visual-spatial intelligence think in terms of physical space

and are very aware of their environments. Architects and sailors, among others, may
fall into this intelligence. They like to draw, do jigsaw puzzles, read maps, and
daydream. They can be taught through drawings, verbal, and physical imagery.

4 Bodily-Kinesthetic – Those with bodily-kinesthetic intelligence use the body

effectively, like a dancer or a surgeon. They like movement, making things, and touching
things in order to understand them. They communicate well through body language and
are taught through physical activity, hands-on learning, acting out, role playing.

5 Musical – This intelligence type shows sensitivity to rhythm and sound. They love
music, but they are also sensitive to sounds in their environments. They may study
better with music in the background. They can be taught by turning lessons into lyrics,
speaking rhythmically, or tapping out time.

6 Interpersonal – Those with interpersonal intelligence are best at understanding by

interacting with others. These students learn through interaction. They have many
friends, empathy for others. Often, people refer to their “street smarts.” They can be
taught through group activities, seminars, and dialogues.

7 Intrapersonal – This intelligence type understands one's own interests and goals.
These learners tend to shy away from others. They're in tune with their inner feelings;
they have wisdom, intuition and motivation, as well as a strong will, confidence and
opinions. They can be taught through independent study and introspection. They are
the most independent of the learners.

8 Linguistic – Those with linguistic intelligence use words effectively. These learners
have highly developed auditory skills and often think in words. They like reading,
playing word games, making up poetry or stories. They can be taught when encouraged
to say and see words, or read books.

9 Logical-Mathematical – Those with this type of intelligence are talented at reasoning

and calculating. They think conceptually, abstractly and are able to see and explore
patterns and relationships. They like to experiment, solve puzzles, and ask cosmic
questions. They can be taught through logic games, investigations, and mysteries. They
need to learn and form concepts before they can deal with details.

10 Although the distinction between intelligences has been set out in great detail, Gardner
opposes the idea of labeling learners to a specific intelligence. Each individual possesses
a unique blend of all the intelligences. Gardner firmly maintains that his theory of
multiple intelligences should "empower learners", not restrict them to one modality of
learning.

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 5th Grade English
4. Which of the following best describes people with bodily-kinesthetic intelligence?
a. They are caring and provide physical support to others.
b. They are good at understanding others.
c. They use are very capable at using their bodies.
d. They have rhythm and enjoy music.

5. What is the difference between interpersonal and intrapersonal intelligence? Record evidence for each
type of intelligence in the chart below.

Interpersonal Intelligence Intrapersonal Intelligence

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 5th Grade English

Challenge: Multiple Intelligences Self-Assessment

Directions: Take this self-assessment to determine which areas of intelligence are your strengths and which
intelligence areas you can work to strengthen.

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 5th Grade English
Name: _________________________
Date: _________________
Advisory: _________________

Exit Ticket
Multiple Intelligences
Directions: Answer the following question. Use your textual evidence strategies.

6. Part A: Howard Gardner’s ideas about learning are called the Theory of Multiple Intelligences. Based on
the article, how does Gardner want people to view different types of learners?
a. Gardner wants people to view different types of intelligence as having different values.
b. Gardner promotes viewing learners as having different levels of intelligence based on their
intelligence strengths.
c. Gardner indicates that different types of learners shouldn’t be addressed and school should focus
on literacy and math.
d. Gardner depicts how important it is to view different types of learners in a variety of ways.

Part B: Which detail from the text best supports your answer to Part A?
a. “ … who believe in one kind of intelligence and think that all intelligence comes from a single
factor.” [paragraph 2]
b. “Gardner’s theory contrasts those who believe in one kind of intelligence and think that all
intelligence comes from a single factor.” [paragraph 2]
c. “Although the distinction between intelligences has been set out in great detail …” [paragraph 10]
d. “Gardner firmly maintains that his theory of multiple intelligences should "empower learners",
not restrict them to one modality of learning.” [paragraph 10]

Discussion Notes:

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