Understanding How WP Offers Something for Every Learning Style

Of all the things you want in a curriculum, you’d like to be sure that it is going to really work for your family. So you’ve got to wonder if WP is the right choice for the kiddos you’ve got!

WinterPromise has made sure we can offer tons of great experiences for your kids because we base our curriculum not only on the ideals of Charlotte Mason, but on reaching out to the Multiple Intelligences, or, as applied when talking about how we best “receive information” — the learning styles.

Let’s start by learning a little about the theory of multiple intelligences. This theory was first offered by a man named Howard Gardner in 1983 to more accurately define the concept of intelligence. His theory helps us to understand the different ways that people learn new material, processs their world, and even interact with others. Gardner’s theory puts forward that traditional views of intelligence do not sufficiently encompass the wide variety of abilities humans display, and that intelligence, as it has traditionally been defined, is too narrow, and defines only one or two types of intelligence.

This theory integrates beautifully with Charlotte Mason’s ideals, and in method, her ideals carry out Gardner’s theory. The activities or learning avenues she defined appeal to many of the very “types of intelligences” that Howard Gardner defined. With that in mind, WinterPromise deliberately integrates learning experiences that reach out to every one of the multiple intelligences.

Below, you’ll probably find 2-3 intelligences that are very strong in each of your children, and a couple that they demonstrate relative competency with. As you look them over, see how WP provides experiences in our curriculum that “teach” to that style!

Then you’ll be on your way to discovering what a fit WP will be for your family!

Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences & How WP Integrates Them for You!

Visual-Spatial Intelligence
This area deals with the ability to visualize with the mind’s eye, so to speak and spatial judgment. Students with this intelligence may demonstrate an interest in drawing buildings, creating fashion or home design, illustrating, or artistic pursuits. Learning Avenue Examples in WP: drawing, notebooking, creative activities, looking at a timeline, and highly illustrated books.

Verbal-Linguistic Intelligence
This area has to do with words, spoken or written. Students with high verbal-linguistic intelligence display a facility with words and languages. They are typically good at reading, writing, telling stories and memorizing words along with dates. They tend to learn best by reading, taking notes, listening to lectures, and discussion and debate, and therefore are typically labeled as “good students.”  They are also frequently skilled at explaining, teaching. and oration or persuasive speaking. Students with verbal-linguistic intelligence learn foreign languages very easily as they have high verbal memory and recall, and demonstrate an ability to understand and manipulate syntax and structure.  Students with these abilities should consider becoming writers, journalists, philosophers, lawyers, politicians, poets, or teachers.   Learning Avenue Examples in WP:  reading, narration, timeline cards, writing in language arts and in notebooking, DVDs, and discussion about books and resources read as a family.

Logical-Mathematical Intelligence
This area has to do with logic, abstractions, reasoning, and numbers. While it is often assumed that those with this intelligence naturally excel in mathematics, chess, computer programming and logical or numerical activities, a more accurate definition places less emphasis on traditional mathematical ability and more reasoning capabilities, abstract patterns of recognition, scientific thinking and investigation, and the ability to perform complex calculations.  It correlates strongly with traditional concepts of “intelligence” or IQ.  They may become scientists, mathematicians, engineers, doctors and economists.  Learning Avenue Examples in WP:  key fact narration, discussion of important topics, activities that use logic or are labeled “geeked-up,” and chess programs.

Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence
Students who have bodily-kinesthetic intelligence should learn better by actually getting involved physically in the learning experience, especially by trying things for themselves.  They are generally good at physical activities such as sports or dance.  They may enjoy acting or performing, and in general they are good at building and making things. They often learn best by doing something physically, rather than  by reading or hearing about it. Students with strong bodily-kinesthetic intelligence seem to use what might be termed “body memory” – they remember things they have experienced through their body such as verbal memory or images.  Students with this strength may go on to become athletes, dancers, musicians, actors, surgeons, doctors, builders, police officers, and soldiers.  As you see, although these careers can be duplicated through virtual simulation, they will not produce the actual physical learning that is needed in this intelligence.  Learning Avenue Examples in WP:  hands-on activities, experiments, “try it for yourself” types of activities in which the student reproduces history, or games.

Musical-Rhythmic Intelligence
This area has to do with, rhythm, music, and hearing. Those who have a high level of musical-rhythmic intelligence display greater sensitivity to sounds, rhythms, tones, and music. They normally have good pitch and may even have absolute pitch and are able to sing, play musical instruments, and compose music.   Since there is a strong auditory component to this intelligence, those who are strongest in it may learn best via lecture. Language skills are typically highly developed in those whose base intelligence is musical. In addition, they will sometimes use songs or rhythms to learn and memorize information.  It should be no surprise these students are interesting in becoming instrumentalists, singers, conductors, disc-jockeys, orators, writers and composers.  Learning Avenue Examples in WP:  singing, musical games, hearing songs or sound bites from other eras, listening to books read aloud, concerts on DVD, and reading and discussing aloud.

Interpersonal Intelligence
This area has to do with interaction with others. In theory, people who have a high interpersonal intelligence tend to be extroverts, characterized by their sensitivity to others’ moods, feelings, temperaments and motivations, and their ability to cooperate in order to work as part of a group. They communicate effectively and empathize easily with others, and may be either leaders or followers. They typically learn best by working with others and often enjoy discussion and debate.  Students with these abilities may be headed for work as salespeople, politicians, managers, teachers, and even social workers.  Learning Avenue Examples in WP:  family projects, teamwork and responsibility, leadership tasks, people-oriented activities or ministry opportunities, group discussion, talking about the feelings or motivations of characters they’ve read about, and helping others.

Intrapersonal Intelligence
This area has to do with introspective and self-reflective capacities. People with intrapersonal intelligence are intuitive and typically introverted. They are skillful at deciphering their own feelings and motivations. This refers to having a deep understanding of the self; what are your strengths/ weaknesses, what makes you unique, can you predict your own reactions/ emotions.  Not surprisingly, students with this type of intelligence make wonderful philosophers, psychologists, theologians, lawyers, and writers.   People with intrapersonal intelligence also prefer to work alone.  Learning Avenue Examples in WP:  journaling, devotional life, independent activities, character goals, and understanding and connecting with characters in books.

Naturalistic Intelligence
This area has to do with nature, nurturing and relating information to one’s natural surroundings.  Students with this intelligence demonstrate a strong connection to animals, caring for plants or a sensitivity to what they see or experience in the natural world around them.  They may be interested in becoming a naturalist, park ranger, animal trainer, farmer, or gardener.  Learning Avenue Examples in WP:  themed and science programs keyed to natural topics, nature journaling, activities involving animal or nature study, and observation activities.

Existential Intelligence
This area has do to with philosophical and abstract issues of life. Students with this type of intelligence learn best by thinking about analytical questions.  Careers which suit those with this intelligence include readers, writers, philosophers, and religious speakers.  Learning Avenue Examples in WP:  discussing topics together as a family, abstract questions to be answered, clarifying a position or belief system.

So you see . . . WinterPromise allows you to choose experiences that utilize common learning styles when you work together, yet still tailor the experience for kids who really need to receive information presented to their own learning style!   And because you know your children so well, you quickly see which experiences REALLY WORK, and reach your child in that special way!