Multiple Intelligences -
Short and Long term
Classroom Management Strategies

Linguistic strategy ("word smart")

• Write the words "silence, please!" on the board.
• Rules are written and posted in the classroom.

 

Musical strategy ("music smart")

• Clap a short rhythmic phrase and have students clap in response.
• The rules are set to a song, either written by students or set to the melody of an existing song, or each rule is associated with a relevant song.

 

Bodily-Kinesthetic Strategy ("body smart")

• Put your finger against your lips to suggest silence while holding your other arm up. Have students mirror your gesture.
• Each rule has a specific gesture. Students show they know the rules by going through the different gestures.

 

Visual-Spatial strategy ("picture smart")

• Put a picture of an attentive classroom on the board and refer to it with a pointer.
• Next to the written rules are graphic symbols of what to do and what not to do.

 

Logical-Mathematical strategy ("number/reasoning smart")

• Use a stopwatch to keep track of the time wasted and write on the board the number of seconds lost at 30 second intervals.
• Rules are numbered and later referred to by number: "You just broke rule #4."

 

Interpersonal strategy ("people smart")

• Whisper in the ear of a student, "It's time to start--pass it on," and then wait while students pass the message around the room.
• Each rule is assigned to a small group of students who then have responsibility for knowing its ins and outs and interpreting it.

 

Intrapersonal strategy ("self smart")

• Start teaching the lesson and allow students to take charge of their own behavior
• Students are responsible for creating the class rules at the beginning of the year and developing their own unique ways of communicating them to others.

 

 Naturalist intelligence ("nature smart")

• Bring the students to work outside
• Each rule is associated with nature. For example, Rule #1 might be the Conservation Rule for respecting each other.