Section 3: Tutor Resources

Using Multiple Intelligences to Differentiate Instruction

Here are some strategies to tailor your tutoring to specific intelligences. For example, if your peer is “Word Smart”, and they are having trouble with math, you can use stories and manipulatives to help them understand. If, on the other hand, your peer is not “Word Smart” and needs help in English, you can use stories that include things they are interested in to improve their language skills. Remember that someone can have multiple strengths!

Intelligence/Strengths

Verbal/Linguistic – ‘Word Smart’

Speaking, reading, writing and listening

Mathematical/Logical – ‘Math Smart’

Numbers, calculations and patterns

Spatial – ‘Pattern Smart’

Artistry, visual details, makes good use of space,

aware of surroundings, location and direction

Kinesthetic – ‘Body Smart’

Sports, dance, able to use hands or body to create,

fix or express themselves

Musical – ‘Music Smart’
Can play instrument or sing, composes and analyzes music

Intrapersonal – ‘Self Smart’
Understand one’s self, self-motivated, self-reflective

Intrapersonal – ‘People Smart’
Notices other people’s feelings and personalities, ability to respond positively towards others, many friends, well-liked

Naturalist – ‘Nature Smart’
Interested and involved in helping the environment, able to identify and classify plants, animals, minerals

Existential – ‘Life Smart’

Looking at the bigger picture, asking deeper questions

Strategies/Activities/Resources

  • Stories 
  • Discussions, debates 
  • Journal writing
  • Problem solving 
  • Experiments 
  • Puzzles
  • Maps 
  • Graphs and charts 
  • Pictures 
  • Videos
  •  Models and manipulatives
  •  Role playing
  •  Touch and movement
  •  Hand-eye coordination, strength, speed, balance and flexibility
  • Rhythms and melodies
  • Voice instruments
  • Rhymes
  • Options and choices
  • Opportunities for self-expression and self-evaluation
  • Setting goals
  • Assessing abilities
  • Meditating and reflecting
  • Group learning
  • Team games
  • Opportunities for discussion and sharing ideas
  • Patterns and relationships in nature
  • Environmental issues
  • Outdoor activities
  • Discussing the big picture
  • Connecting ideas to real life
  • New inventions