Cari Maconochie

Language and Language Development

Instructor: Deborah Oler, M.S.
August 7th, 2016
The Seven Intelligences and Strategies of Learning

Stephanie LaQua talks about Vygotsys constructivism model and the CALLA model in
her video lecture. She discusses the CALLA model and how students work together, students
talk their way through learning, and how multiples levels of students work at the beginning level.
When students work together if teachers and students knew their metacognitive strategies,
meaning they knew their style of learning, it would create a more efficient work environment for
everyone. After reading the Multiple Intelligence worksheet I agree that No intelligence exists
by itself in life. Intelligences are always interacting with each other. Every student has unique
strengths and interests that is why we work better as a team. Especially if the teacher creates
heterogeneous groups based on students intelligences. I also really liked the visuals and
breakdown in the CALLA Content and Language Strategies, Strategies and Description
worksheet. I like the various example provided for each CALLA strategy. Sometimes students
and teachers only think of one of the several examples of assessments or activities under each
CALLA strategy. The worksheet provides more variety of assessments or activities. For
example the CALLA strategy of using graphic organizers, I first thought of a creating a chart.
The worksheet describes how you can use Venn diagrams, time lines, webs, and charts to show
the relationship between concepts. I plan to display the CALLA strategies in my classroom on a
larger scale.
Taking a closer look at the multiple intelligence quiz, the metacognitive strategies,
and multiple intelligence theories sparked a lot of ideas for my teaching practice. Armstrong

Thomas wrote, The Seven Multiple Intelligences in Children, Gardner points out that childrens
various intelligences interact together. The seven intelligences are, Linguistics, LogicalMathematical, Spatial, Bodily-Kinesthetic, Musical, Interpersonal, and Intrapersonal. Gardner
breaks it down through how each Thinks, Loves, and Needs. The seven intelligences match up
with different CALLA strategies. So if a student is good at the CALLA strategy, LogicalMathematical Intelligence then he or she will be good at the following CALLA strategies: using
graphic organizers, finding and applying patterns, monitoring or identifying problems,
evaluating, and possibly more. I plan to use the multiple intelligence descriptions to help my
students improve on areas of weakness and excel in areas of strength by creating various
deliverables for them that cater to their higher intelligence levels. I plan to do this by having
students take the same or similar quiz and rate themselves then I will offer various deliverables
they may choose from. I will include which intelligence level the deliverables focus on and
students can choose which one they want to complete. Also, during class I will have all students
practice strategies that relate to all seven intelligences. So that way students can improve on
skills that are not their strength.
I work at a project based school and we do cross-curricular projects two or more times a
year. We have two big exhibition projects where we combine every subject into one deliverable
in a meaningful way. Throughout the year I also combine my art projects with English or
Physics. The 9th grade team always pairs the groups based on their intelligence levels and we
assigned their jobs to them last year. Instead this year I would like for students to know what
their intelligence score and description is then, they can determine which job would be the best
fit for them. For example, I scored the highest in Musical, Spatial, Bodily-Kinesthetic, IntraPersonal, and Interpersonal. If we were doing the architecture project again I would choose the
designers job because that means I have to assemble the house and communicate with my

teammates about how it should be constructed. After taking the quiz I know why I am better at
some CALLA strategies and not others. Armstrong categorizes my strengths and weaknesses
under seven intelligence levels. Now, looking at the strategies I know what I would be good at
and what I would struggle with because they tie together. Under task-based I would be good at
accessing information and cooperating with others because I scored high on Spatial Intelligence.
Its interesting that everything I read under spatial intelligence really excites me. I have the same
reaction with my other high scoring intelligence levels. By students knowing their intelligence
level it could possibly boost their self-esteem. They see that not everyone is good at all seven
levels. They see that they are good at some levels and others are good at other levels. This will
help them when they compare themselves to their neighbor. Students could pick their own job
based on a first, second, and third choice for their jobs. Then, the teachers would group students
based on their choices filling each job for each group. Having students provide input on their
jobs will help them identify their styles of learning and their strengths. This will help students
become more independent in guiding themselves through group work, college, and choosing
career paths through self-reflection on their own.

Works Cited
Stephanie LaQua. Video Lecture. Paradigms in Language Acquisition/Vygotsky
UC San Diego.
Armstrong, Thomas. Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom, Alexandria,
Virginia, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (1994).