Addressing Different Learning Styles

In order to enact Howard Gardner's well-known theory of "multiple intelligences," we will propose activities revolving around a central task/theme and how these activities apply to each "intelligence."

Gardner's Intelligence

Core Operations

Linguistic

syntax, phonology, semantics, pragmatics

Musical

pitch, rhythm, timbre

Logical-mathematical

number, categorization, relations, abstractions

Spatial

accurate mental visualization, mental transformation of images

Bodily-kinesthetic

control of one's own body, control in handling objects

Interpersonal

awareness of others' feelings, emotions, goals, motivations

Intrapersonal

awareness of one's own feelings, emotions, goals, motivations

Naturalist

recognition and classification of objects in the environment

[Source:  Harvard Project Zero and President and Fellows Harvard College, 1999.  "Theory of Multiple Intelligences."  Project Sumit.  (Available at http://pzweb.harvard.edu/sumit/MISUMIT.HTM .  Last accessed March 22, 2003.)]

Topic: The Great Gatsby
Created by: Ima Sample

A Quick Description of topic

Students will read Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby and demonstrate their knowledge of the book and subsequent class and small group discussions of the book by completing the following activities of their choice. Students may work in pairs or small groups of their own choice.

I would use each Multiple Intelligence to study my topic in the following ways:

Linguistic Intelligence. Rewrite the end of the novel. You can choose several different ways to rewrite the end - Daisy leaves Tom, Myrtle lives and seeks revenge, Gatsby evades death - choose a way and write an alternate ending of at least six pages. Make sure your paper is typed. You may include pictures or images to augment your alternate ending.

Musical Intelligence. Put together a musical collage of popular music from the roaring 20's, the era in which "Gatsby" is set. Include a short write up of the music you chose, who performed the pieces, and why you included the pieces. You may use Internet sites to find music you need. Add computer images for extra credit.

Mathematical-Logical Intelligence. Produce an autopsy report on Myrtle's death. The report should include the estimated speed of the car, any wounds that Myrtle would have suffered and the cause of death. Be sure to include any calculations and/or cite any help you receive in completing this project.

Visual-Spatial Intelligence. Create a definitive map of the major locations and actions throughout the story OR using descriptions from the novel, design Gatsby's home and portray it as if a party were about to start. You may want to use Mediatext to help with your design.

Kinesthetic Intelligence. Give a presentation on popular dances of the 1920s. You may either give the presentation yourself or with a group, or teach the class a particular dance, such as the Charleston. You may want to use the Internet to research popular dances.

Interpersonal Intelligence. Participate in a debate about the book. Possible debate topics may include, but are not limited to the following: Is Nick a reliable narrator? Does the reader know Gatsby's true identity? Are the eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleberg the eyes of God?

Intrapersonal Intelligence. Create a journal from the perspective of one of the characters. The journal should be based on the events of the novel, and include what you would perceive to be the character's thoughts throughout the story. DO NOT USE NICK FOR THIS PROJECT. You only need to create a journal for events in one chapter of the novel. Your end result should be approximately six pages in length.

Naturalist Intelligence. Provide a description and photos (either drawn or produced) of Gatsby's gardens, using the novel as a starting point. You may add more detail than the novel provides, as long as your ideas fit with the time period of the novel and reflect the party atmosphere that pervaded at the Gatsby home for most of the novel. May want to use Mediatext.

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