"Using Multiple Intelligences in English"

by: Tom Lisack

Grade Level - High School

Objectives:

Students will list and define the eight multiple intelligence's

Students will categorize the eight intelligence's based on their personal preference.

Students will create a project based on one intelligence

Students will analyze and comprehend Shakespeare using the theory of multiple intelligence's

Standards:

A.12.2 Read, interpret, and critically analyze literature.

A.12.3 Read and discuss literary and nonliterary texts in order to understand human experience.

Introduction: Using various plays of William Shakespeare implement the type of intelligence that you choose to the suggestions below. That is, if you choose Bodily-Kinesthetic you might create a sculpture representing the Bodily-Kinesthetic nature of the play. If you choose Spatial you might work with the geography of the play and show distances between Denmark, England, and Ireland, for example. Relax, take a deep breath, some of this might be very different. Take your time, experiment, have fun.

Linguistic Intelligence

“Words, words, words” ………Hamlet

How do Shakespeare’s words, how do his characters’ words shape, advance, and reveal the truths that are the lessons of Macbeth? Is this play different when read silently as opposed to being heard of acted out? What other linguistic devices does Shakespeare use in this most compact, psychological, meditative play?

Logical/Mathematical Intelligence

Analyze the logical process, or lack thereof, of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in the play. From beginning to end, what were they thinking? To what degree did outside sources influence their thinking? To what degree was their thinking pattern strictly internal? We often hear the work “calculating” associated with crime. Were the Macbeths calculating? What was their “calculation?”

Spatial Intelligence

“Is this a dagger I see before me”..….Macbeth

How important is space in the play. That is, Macbeth journeys far from Banquo coming home to his castle after battle. How is geographical space an important factor in the play? And then there is the theater ………. How would you depict space in the staging of Macbeth? Is space in the play confining; does it constrict in any way? How important are visual images in Macbeth? What visual images of the reading of the play are lasting ones for you?

Bodily – Kinesthetic Intelligence

“A little water cleanses us of this deed” ………… Lady Macbeth

One might argue that the beginning and ending of the play are extremely physical, while the middle acts are emotional, intellectual, and psychological. How do physical acts contribute to the meaning of the play? What kinds of body movements – gestures, expressions, contortions – are implemented in the play?

Musical Intelligence

How easily could this play be set to music? How easily could this play be made into an opera? In a more contemporary example, is there a pop, rock, or rap song which conveys some of the meaning of the play? Do you think you could write a song or collections of songs that would express the time-tested lessons of Macbeth?

Interpersonal Intelligence

In this presidential election year, the candidates have been examined from all angles imaginable. How well do they work with other people? How well do they listen? Do they care about other people? Where do the characters in the play fit in? Who were the Macbeths? How well did they interact with other people? Did their ability or lack of ability to interact with others lead them to the deeds they committed in any way?

Intrapersonal Intelligence

What do the key characters in the play do when they are alone? How is being alone in this play different from being with others? Is the distinction different in Macbeth than it is in other plays? What is going on inside people in the play? Is there an internal “check” on actions done by characters? What is the role and place of conscience? Who is Macbeth? Who is Lady Macbeth? Duncan…….Banquo, Macduff, Malcolm, Donalbain, etc.

Naturalist Intelligence

We certainly don’t want to make any wise cracks about the woods moving. What role does Nature play in Macbeth? Are there instances when anyone in the play appears to willingly or unwillingly defy Nature? What about today? Can anything be said for taking Nature for granted ……… for having definite expectations that are seemingly unchangeable?

Students' Reactions to Multiple Intelligences:

"I found doing this project rather interesting although I changed my ideas many times. I have sketches for paintings, sculptures, and other ideas; it was hard to decided which one to do as there aren't many instructions or requirements, except for it's not an essay."

"I really enjoyed working on the multiple intelligences project because I got to work on something that I enjoy doing and that I am good at. It gives me more freedom to choose whatever I want to do and how I go about doing it. I would enjoy doing another multiple intelligences project because I would get to have fun working on it and show my talents."

"I like it because we were able to choose to do whatever type of intelligence we wanted. My project required a lot of work because I basically made it from scratch. All I have was a box, string, fabric, paint, tape, and paper towels. From that I made my scenes from Othello. I like the fact that the project was pretty much open to anything. It's going to be interesting when the other students present their projects. It'll be good to see what other people did."

I thought that a "non-writing" project for Othello was a bit more fun than a serious research project. It gave me a chance to work on artistic intelligences that I wouldn't normally use in such a setting. Overall, MI projects are more fun."

I did not like the idea of this project. It seems that in a literature class, one should be graded entirely on literature-related skills. Reading, understanding, and writing about Shakespeare should be the primary focus of the class, and of all large assignments. Nonetheless, I did enjoy this assignment once I got into it. I learned from it, but not about Othello."

"All in all, I really enjoyed working on the project. It was an interesting twist from normality."