Different ways of knowing and understanding the world...
How smart are you? This is certainly a subjective question, and depending on the context, it doesn't tell us very much about the individual. A better question might be: How are you SMART? Howard Gardner first discussed his theory of Multiple Intelligences in his 1983 publication Frames of Minds, in order to explain and identify the variety of ways that individuals are "smart". While some students are smart with words or self, and some are smart with people or nature, others have mathematical, physical, spatial or musical talents. It is the way that those people best understand, know and learn about the world around them.
At Kurwongbah, we value students' individuality and special talents. Gardner's Multiple Intelligences offers us the framework within which to cater for students' individual intelligences. We refer to the multiple intelligences as SMARTS. We assess, record, and refer to students' Smarts; cater for their Smarts in integrated unit planning, and surround students with posters displaying their Smarts. Brochures featuring each of the Smarts are available in the Curriculum Support Room for students, teachers and parents. The links below offer a variety of resources and checklists for use in the classroom.
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SMART Posters |
Download the eight colour posters (MS Word format) to display in the classroom. Each poster has information on one of the Multiple Intelligences as well as a picture representing that Smart. Based on the ideas presented by Gardner.
| Body Smart (52KB) |
| Group Smart (73KB) |
| Math/Logic Smart (39KB) |
| Music Smart (81KB) |
| Nature Smart (66KB) |
| Picture Smart (27KB) |
| Self Smart (24KB) |
| Word Smart (28KB) |
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Basic Smart Posters (350KB, MS Word) |
Click on the above link to download eight simple coloured SMART posters for your classroom. (NB. These posters are saved as one Microsoft Word document). They feature the SMART and a simple graphic. They contain no additional wording. These are a useful set of posters to use in an early childhood setting.
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SMART Brochures |
Download and print these brochures (Microsoft Publisher). Each of the eight brochures deal with one of the Multiple Intelligences. They are designed for students in year 4 and older to further understand the SMARTS. Each brochure includes an explanation of the intelligence, examples of how people with this smart learn best and a list of activities that cater for students with this smart. A handy reference for teachers wanting to incorporate Multiple Intelligences into their program planning.
| Body Smart (112KB) |
| Group Smart (89KB) |
| Math/Logic Smart (72KB) |
| Music Smart (83KB) |
| Nature Smart (89KB) |
| Picture Smart (54KB) |
| Self Smart (57KB) |
| Word Smart (58KB) |
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SMART Checklists |
These checklists (MS Word) are adapted from a variety of sources including the MICUPS, MICA, MICY and MIQUEL assessment tools from the wonderful book Seven Ways At Once: Classroom strategies based on the seven intelligences by Helen McGrath and Toni Noble (1997, published by Longman). They can be used as a guide to determine students' smarts.
| SMART Checklist for Preschool and Year One (39KB) |
Use this simple checklist with preschool students and students in year one.
| Checklist for Years 1- 3 (42KB) |
Use this simple checklist for students in years one to three.
| Personal SMART Record Sheet (262KB) |
Use this record sheet so students in early years can indicate their Smarts by colouring the appropriate section on the Smart Pizza. These can be kept by the students or displayed around the classroom. (NB. Two Smart Pizzas per A4 page).
| Checklist for Years 4- 7 (32KB) |
Use this checklist for primary aged students from year four and above.
| SMART Class Record Sheet (58KB) |
Use this sheet to record students' results from the Smarts Checklists.
| SMART Checklist for Adults (111KB) |
Use this checklist to determine teacher Smarts. We have also discovered that parents just love doing the checklist to discover their Smarts. A effective way to introduce this framework to parents and to encourage discussion between teachers, parents and students.
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Discover your Multiple Intelligences Online |
This is an excellent online resource in which you can click on your responses to 40 standard questions, and a graphic representation of your Multiple Intelligences is produced. Excellent for students who enjoy a more hands-on approach than the above checklists provide.
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SMART Planning |
Like Bloom's Revised Taxonomy, Gardner's theory of Multiple Intelligences is easily adaptable for classroom use as a planning tool. A MI approach to planning allows for the integration of content, skills, higher-order thinking, and a range of ways (products) for students to demonstrate their learning. Investigate several short-term units built around a "Smarts" approach below. All of these units have been implemented in classrooms. Some of these are created using Inspiration so you will have to have the software on your machine to view the documents.
| Jungle Smarts (includes overview of activities, activity cards and a student self-reflection sheet, designed and developed by Suzanne Scanlin, years 1-3, 119 KB) |
| Fairytale Smarts (includes overview of activities, activity cards, thinker's keys, templates and a student self-reflection sheet and reflection journal, designed and developed by Suzanne Scanlin and Denise Tarlinton, years 1-3, 147 KB) |
| Olympics (includes assessment rubric, developed by Narelle Shesgreen and Sue Franks, years 6-7, 69 KB) |
| We are One at Christmas: Parade Presentation (Years 6/7, 72 KB, Inspiration Document) |
| Under the Sea (Years 1-3, 105 KB, Inspiration Document) |
| Transport (Years 1-3, 39 KB, Inspiration Document) |
| SMART Planning Sheet (15KB, MS Word) |
Download and print this simple blank Smarts Planning Sheet (created in Inspiration) to record short-term unit planning with a MI approach.
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Multiple Intelligence Print Resources |
This is a list of print resources that we have found useful in coming to an understanding of the Multiple Intelligences and in developing a variety of activities and approaches that cater for the SMARTs in our classrooms.
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The SMARTS in Fiction |
A list of chapter books and picture books organised under SMART headings. Find stories about and for the eight intelligences.
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Monster Smarts |
A unit on Monsters incorporating all of the eight SMARTS . View student work samples and print out contract activities that compliment this Monster Smart Unit.
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Investigate a Book the Blooming-Smarts Way (51 KB, MS Word) (developed by Kelsie Torrisi). |
Use this matrix in your Student Reading Program. It lists a wealth of tasks for students to complete in terms of their current reading book. They are generic activities organised across all Smarts and designed for all level of Bloom's Taxonomy that students can select from. An excellent resource developed by Kelsie Torrisi.