The concept of multiple intelligences is one I heard plenty of during my teaching program. The idea of teaching multiple intelligences seems something like a pipe dream to me. I would love to be able to treat each student individually and focus on each students strengths. Unfortunately it’s just not possible in today’s classroom. With 140+ students per day a teacher doesn’t have much time for each student. With state standards we can’t just concentrate on the subject or area a students is good at. I would love to see the day when students are able to focus a little sooner on what they are good at. Have students get their general educations and then in 9th or 10th grade start allowing students to focus more on their strengths. Probably 90 % of the population can do very well with pre-algebra. An even higher percentage can probably get by with a general science class or two. I think we are focused to much on getting every student ready for college when not every student is going to go to college or needs to go to college. Students who are strong in the spacial and kinesthetic intelligences can go on to be great at the trades. In our current system these students are forced to struggle through school before they are allowed to go on to something they can succeed at.
The most realistic approach to the intelligences is varying the type of lesson each day to try to touch on different learning styles throughout the year. It may not be as good as individual attention for each student but with the limitations teachers have it is better than nothing.
