Multiple Intelligences Celebration!

Today we celebrated our many smarts by making "smart necklaces" and brain maps.  Students used color beads to show their strengths.  Each of the different smarts were represented by a color.  Students chose letter beads for their initials and then put their two best smarts on either side of the initial beads.  All colors/smarts were represented on the necklace with the students' "best" smarts having the most beads. 

I read the story "ABC I Like Me" by Nancy Carlson to the students while they wore their new necklaces.  As I read each page we identified the "smart" that was illustrated.  The students were able to explain their thinking for each page.  Some were easy to identify (E for explore = nature smart) and others made the students think (C for cheerful = self smart).  We talked about how each of us is unique; we all have the same eight kinds of smarts in our brain, but each of use our smarts differently because of our different strengths.

Students made brain maps showing the eight strengths in their brain.  They made their strengths/best smarts take up the largest areas in their brain. We shared our mind maps with our friends, elaborating on our best smart, least favorite smart, and a smart we would like to grow in during the school year.  Students completed a fill in the blank writing reflection sheet to display with their mind map.

I displayed student mind maps and reflection sheets by their self portraits they painted on self smart day.  The display is too cute!  I can't wait for the parents to see the mind maps when they come in for Open House next week.  Parents are always surprised at how the children view their abilities and strengths.  It is very revealing.

I make special note of what each child says they want to learn more about during the year.  I hope to help all students meet their goals and increase their abilities in areas they don't feel as strong in.