Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom

by Thomas Armstrong

In the decades since it was first introduced, Howard Gardner's multiple intelligences (MI) theory has transformed how people think about learning the world over. Educators using the theory have achieved remarkable success in helping all students, including those who learn in nontraditional ways, to navigate school (and life outside it) with confidence and success.

Within the context of classroom instruction, no author besides Gardner has done more to popularize MI theory than Thomas Armstrong, whose best seller Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom has become a bona fide education classic in its own right. This expanded fourth edition provides educators at all levels with everything they need to apply MI theory to curriculum development, lesson planning, assessment, special education, cognitive skills, career development, educational policy, and more.

In addition to the many strategies, templates, and examples that have made Armstrong's book so enduringly popular, this edition is updated to examine how emerging neurodiversity research, trends toward greater instructional personalization, and rapidly evolving virtual learning tools have affected the use of MI theory to enhance student achievement. It also includes brand-new lesson plans aligned to nationwide standards and a revised list of resources for further study.

Genres: Education, Nonfiction, Teaching, Psychology, Professional Development, Textbooks, Brain

243 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1994

About the author

I am the author of 20 books, including my latest The Power of Neurodiversity: Unleashing the Advantages of Your Neurodivergent Brain (Completely Updated and Revised Second Edition), which is a complete rewrite of a book I wrote with a similar title but slightly different subtitle in 2010.

My other books include: The Myth of the ADHD Child, 7 Kinds of Smart, Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom, and The Power of the Adolescent Brain. I've also written for Family Circle, Ladies Home Journal, and the AMA Journal of Ethics.

I see myself as a reader as much as, or even more than, a writer. Some of the books which I've enjoyed recently include Joseph and His Sons by Thomas Mann, The Story of the Stone/Dream of the Red Chamber by Cao Xueqin, the complete Arabian Nights (3 volumes), translated by Malcolm C. Lyons, The Studs Lonigan Trilogy by James T. Farrell, and From Here to Eternity by James Jones.

Beyond literature and writing, my hobbies and pursuits include improvising on the piano, doing mindfulness meditation, watching great movies on The Criterion Channel, doing yoga, and cooking Mediterranean cuisine.

Married for twenty-five years, and now divorced, I live in a cute Victorian style home on a hill in Sonoma County, California with my dog Daisy.

Reviews

[Erin McDonnell-Jones · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book didn't provide any new or revealing information, but it did offer some interesting ideas:

Classroom management (p. 29): use MI to observe how students MISbehave in class. Their misbehavior can help teachers understand why the students are acting out, which in turn can lead to an understanding of how the students learn best.

Ch. 8 chapter on classroom management seemed very young for secondary education teachers.

Interesting lesson plan idea on page 63. It requires teachers to use all 8 MI to teach a lesson which I think could offer some help in with differentiation.

Teaching strategies and ideas= chapter 6. Good ideas based on what you want to try and accomplish.

Alternative assessment ideas in chapter 10. I think everyone (politicians included!) should read this chapter.

[Laurel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this book was a good introduction the multiple intelligences, and how strategies could be implemented in the classroom. I found the book easy to read, and liked the visuals provided on how to incorporate MI theory. I learned a lot, and feel I can begin using these techniques right away.

[teddy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Even though this was required reading for one of my courses, it was actually a lot easier to get through that I thought it would be. Took me less than a day to read it and it was interesting, I guess. Felt the book was too repetitive, though. There was chapters you could skip entirely and still be able to answer any question your professor asks you with just the first 4 chapters.

[Courtlynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an excellent tool for moving past the overtly simplified left versus right brain. You will find multiple ways to continuously challenge your students and to play off of their unique skill sets in all of the Multiple Intelligences in this book.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tons of ready to use ideas that can be easily adapted to any topic, subject, or grade level.

[Sheena Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A valuable resource! I loved it!

[Rennae de Freitas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful to understand. But implementing a teaching strategy that considers all these intelligences is overwhelming.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes, MI has been around for many years, and this is the 4th edition of this book, but there are new studies, new ideas, and new examples to be learned.

I like that one of the chapters in this book discusses how to teach students about MI. I used MI strategies and activities in class and briefly explained/described MI to students, but I never truly helped them to understand the concept and how it applied to their individual learning.

The book is set up chronologically, but based on a reader's knowledge of MI, you could skip around/go in different orders.

The author recognizes new developments in learning and assessment, so he makes connections to personalized learning, DoK, and standards-based assessment. I appreciate the lessons, charts, and examples included in the book, and I really like that each MI provides examples for all content areas.

[Steve Duong · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't think it's wise to rate a book like this but because I see there is few to acknowledge it I don't think it will matter....

I read this as part of my internship with students (k-5) at a school. I found great interest in the theory of multiple intelligences and plan on using it to somehow encompass a project that I plan on proceeding with in the next couple months. I really enjoy reading the book (although I skimmed through the last couple chapters with no intention of ever really reading them) it informs really well and really provokes thought as to who you (or others) are as learners. It's a relatively light read that covers a great field of MI questions and for anyone not familiar with MI theory this is a FANTASTIC place to start!

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Multiple Intelligences In the Classroom", 4th edition, was a review for me. I have been reading about MI for quite some time and incorporate the ideas when I can. Unfortunately, studies don't show MI instruction is "real" which makes it difficult for schools to adopt it fully unless they are private schools. However, MI theory fits well into personalized learning, which allows students to select ways to learn new material, ways that fit their personal strengths. The book provides many ideas, check lists and resources. I would recommend this book.

[Agustinus Susanto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buku penuh dengan tips dan trik bagaimana membuka paradigma dan peta pikiran. Menyulut motivasi dan semangat dalam menggali lebih dalam segala sesuatu yang kita pelajari. Membangun image baru bahwa setiap Orang itu cerdas.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book. As someone working towards teacher certification, I found it extremely helpful. I tend to agree with most of what is written and look forward to using some of the ideas in the near future!

[Richard Harden · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book, with great application for the classroom. However, there is still a sense upon reading the work that MI is an end in itself - a sense I often find prevalent where the theory is used in the classroom and in curricula.

[Lr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good resource for intro to the theory, for considering different strategies of instruction and assessment for all learners (including students with special needs), and also good for methods of acquiring student data info at the beginning of the year. Refer back to for strategies!!!

[Biruhati Syaheed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mengubah cara pandang tentang "belajar" dan bahwa setiap orang punya hak untuk sukses dengan cara dan kemampuannya masing-masing. Buku yang sangat bagus.

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this to help with a picture book I'm working on, about MI. Chapter 3, "Describing intelligences in students" is particularly helpful

[Christine Boyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Describes M.I. theory better than Gardner. Gives hands-on tips and ideas for adapting lessons.

[Colin Kemmis]

Actually quite a bit updated from when I read this in grad school 8 years ago. Lots of practical and contemporary advice.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

A some-what helpful school book. It was well written, just not quite what I thought it was going to be about.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

A decent book I'd definitely recommend to most teachers, as it gets you thinking about how to engage students in a variety of different ways.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I knew nothing about MI, I'd have found this really interesting. Mostly a a review for me, but some great applications and more class ideas than I could ever use.

[Fatmeh Jamel]

its a very useful book

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thomas Armstong's Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom was read for EDU 221 Secondary/Middle Block: Curriculum, Instruction, Classroom Management, Instructional Media, and Practicum.

[Taija · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had to read this for my Principles of Teaching class. An informative (but sometimes dull) read on the eight learning intelligences. Good applications included.

[W Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book on ideas for incorporating multiple intelligence into a classroom.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A LOT of information - but it's good stuff.