Getting to Know You!
Interests, Learning Styles, and
Multiple Intelligence Inventory
Directions and Philosophy: The questions and activities included in this
handout are designed to make you think about yourself and your
experiences. By reflecting on your strengths, weaknesses, motivations,
ways you learn best, and interests, both you and your teacher can work
together to craft a better learning experience this year.
Name: ______________________________________________________
Class Period: ______________________
Date: _______________________________
“If you are a dreamer, come in. If you are a dreamer, a wisher, a
liar, a hoper, a prayer, a magic-bean-buyer. If you're a
pretender, come sit by my fire, for we have some flax-golden
tales to spin. Come in! Come in!”
-Shel Silverstein
“It is always hard to tell what your influences are. Everything you’ve
seen, experienced, read, or heard gets broken down like compost in
your head and then your own ideas grow out of that compost.”
-J.K. Rowling
“Intelligence is the capacity to do something useful in the society in which we live. Intelligence is the
ability to respond successfully to new situations and the capacity to learn from one’s past experiences.”
-Dr. Howard Gardner, author, Frames of Mind and Multiple Intelligences: The Theory in Practice
“There are no failures- just experiences and your reactions to them.”
-Tom Krause, Motivational Speaker
“The difference between school and life? In school you’re taught a lesson and then given a test.
In life, you’re given a test that teaches you a lesson.”
-Tom Bodett
How Do You Operate?
Directions: Rank each group of 4 statements in relation to you and your personality, likes and dislikes,
past experiences, etc. A rank of #4 indicates a response that is most like you; choice #1 is least like you.
__________I enjoy challenges where I have to take risks.
__________I enjoy challenges but need to feel secure.
__________I am fearful of challenges or new experiences.
__________I am more likely to avoid challenges.
__________I’m successful when I learn something new.
__________I’m successful when I get good grades.
__________I’m successful when I can apply what I have learned to my own life.
__________I’m successful when I gain the respect and approval of others.
__________I’m motivated to succeed on my own (self-driven).
__________I’m motivated to succeed because it is what is expected of me.
__________I’m motivated to succeed because I like competition.
__________I just want to get through.
__________When I struggle, I get frustrated at myself.
__________When I struggle, I get frustrated at others.
__________When I struggle, I analyze a problem and look logically for solutions.
__________When I struggle, I get emotional before I can work through a problem.
__________When I struggle with school assignments, I ask for help from the teacher.
__________When I struggle with school assignments, I ask for help from my parents.
__________When I struggle with school assignments, I want to ask for help but usually don’t because
I’m shy.
__________When I struggle with school assignments, I shut down.
__________I enjoy working in groups.
__________I prefer to work by myself.
__________In a group, I prefer to be the leader.
__________In a group, I prefer to be a member of the team (not the leader).
__________I learn better by seeing (diagrams, videos, how-to demonstrations, examples).
__________I learn better by listening (verbal discussions, lectures, talking things through).
__________I learn better by experiencing (hands-on activities, moving around, creating).
__________I learn better by figuring “it” out on my own (individual problem solving).
Your Ideal Learning Environment…
Directions: Reflect on each question carefully. Answer honestly. There are no wrong answers and your
answers don’t necessarily have to relate to school. You can add more than one response / answer.
I would write more if…
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
I would read more if…
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
The History of You…
Who / what has been the greatest influence in your life? How and why? _________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
What is the most important thing you have ever learned? ______________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Your Future…
Where do you see yourself in fifteen years? In other words, what will your life be like then?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligence Theory
Background: In the 1980’s Howard Gardner, a Harvard University psychologist, developed the theory
of multiple intelligences. His theory states that there are eight (and possibly nine) unique intelligence
strengths. Individuals are predisposed to many different types of intelligences and can learn to develop
others in the right settings. The following chart represents a list of the eight multiple intelligences, as
well as a description and examples (Armstrong 1).
MLA Source Citation: Armstrong, Thomas. Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom, 2nd Edition.
Alexandria, Virginia: ASCD, 2000. Print.
Goals: Becoming more aware of your own personal learning style and intelligence strengths is key to
growing as a learner. If you identify your strongest intelligences, you can maximize your learning
experience by modifying your studying techniques to match these strengths. Your teacher can also work
to plan activities and assignments that address your personal intelligences and provide a better learning
environment for you. Secondly, as you become aware of your strengths, you also become more aware
of your weaknesses. Remember, Howard Gardner believes intelligences can be learned and developed.
You can work to increase and stretch your skills in areas where you might not be as strong.
Directions: Read over the chart carefully. Consider where your strengths and interests might match up.
After reading the chart, you will take an online multiple intelligence test. Please answer the questions
accurately according to your preferences.
Intelligence
Type
Description
Sensitive to
language,
meanings, and
the relationship
of words
Learns
Better
Through
(or is more
interested in)
Vocabulary activities,
grammar, poetry,
essays and plays
Keen observer, Graphs, charts, color
able to think in codes, guided imagery,
three
pictures, posters, mind
dimensions, likes
maps
to use
metaphors
Abstract
Critical thinking
thinking,
activities, breaking
counting,
ideas into smaller parts
organizing;
and reassembling them
prefers logical
structures
Athletic and fine
Needs "hands-on"
motor skills;
learning opportunities,
often active and like games, skits, and
animated
plays
Sensitive to
Likes poems, plays,
rhythm, pitch, jazz chants, rap music,
intonation, and songs, and musically
can remember
guided imagery
tunes and
rhythms easily
Sensitive to
Likes to talk with
others’ moods,
people, enjoys
feelings, and
discussion groups,
motivations; good at verbal problem
outgoing and
solving
interactive
Has a sense of
Likes poetry,
self, able to
meditation, guided
understand and
imagery, journal
access one’s own writing, story telling
feelings
Sensitive to
Likes to work in the
nature and
garden, read plants
environment;
and animals, study
knows the
habits of fish or birds,
names of rocks, read nature magazines,
flowers, birds; go hiking, walk outside
loves to be
outdoors
Chart Source: http://literacyworks.org/mi/intro/quickreview.html
MLA Citation: “We Have Many Intelligences.” Multiple Intelligences for Adult Literacy and
Education. Literacy Works, 29 April 2009. Web. 23 August 2009.
What Are Your Strengths and Interests?
1.
Go to: http://literacyworks.org/mi/assessment/findyourstrengths.html
2. Take the Multiple Intelligences Test.
3. Print out (or write down your results in detail). *If printing, attach a
copy of the printed results to this handout.
4. Reflect on your results. Are they accurate? Why or why not?
5. What did you learn about yourself?
Final Writing Assignment
Directions: Using the top ½ of this page as a brainstorming reference, construct a five paragraph essay
explaining and introducing yourself in terms of your top three intelligences (according to the test
results). You will discuss a different intelligence in each body paragraph, ending with your strongest
intelligence. For each intelligence (paragraph), address the following bullet point questions. *You do
not have to respond to every single bullet point in each paragraph if it does not apply.
 Reflect on the results of your test. Did they surprise you? Do you disagree with the results? Or,
are they a perfect match to you and your strengths / interests? Provide examples to support.
 Reflect on your past experiences in terms of your intelligences. Do you believe you were born
with these intelligences? Do you believe past experiences or people have shaped the way you
learn? Or your interests? Or your strengths?
 Do these intelligences represent the best ways you learn? Explain. Reflect on how you want to
grow as a learner.
Specific Requirements:
 Typed in MLA Format, Times New Roman font, 12 point
 Five (5) organized paragraphs- introduction, 3 body paragraphs, and conclusion
 Thesis statement in introduction- thesis statement must contain top three intelligences
 Evidence of sincere reflection
Multiple Intelligence Writing Assignment Rubric
Content:
Clear organization- introduction, body, and conclusion (5 paragraph structure)
______ /3

Each body paragraph discusses one of your top three intelligences.

Organize your essay so that your last body paragraph is your strongest intelligence.

Use clear transitions / topic sentences to move from one paragraph to the next.
Thesis in introduction containing 3 strongest intelligences
______ /3

The order of your intelligences in your thesis must match the order of your body paragraphs.

Thesis must be restated in the conclusion.
Sincere development of ideas and evidence of reflection throughout essay
______ /6

Each body paragraph must address the questions / ideas contained in the assignment directions.

Each paragraph will explain and answer these questions for a different intelligence.

You do not have to answer every single question if it does not apply to your paragraph.
MLA Format: (Proper use of MLA format)
Correct Margins
______ /2
Correct Heading
______ /2
Correct Page Numbers
______ /2
Appropriate Length (5 paragraphs)
______ /3
Total Points= _____________ / 20 = _____________%
Comments: