I'm All That I Need / We Are All Needed

The intrapersonal learner has been described as a loner.  A person with high self esteem that enjoys talking about themselves, This is a strong-willed person that needs space and probably feels that they have all that they need.  Equip them with an independent study or self directed activity with self checking materials after you know their learning level and they are fine to work alone ( preferably with space in a quiet area)

This learner enjoys setting his own goals and reaching them. He is very thoughtful and caring to others, while enjoying expressing personal feelings.  One strong teaching strategy is to connect learning to his personal life.  Allow him to have choices within the activity.  He would enjoy a hobby of genealogy

All primary math teachers assess their students at the beginning of the year. I read of a primary teacher who used the following strategy in math.   Those top performing students who work beyond the core grade level are given a file of self-directed word problems and puzzles with self-checking materials.  These files are monitored closely to see if progress is made and that is all he needs.  Pacing with the student is the key.  Students working alone are given a math journal to communicate problems, frustrations or successes with the work.  Interviews with the students to talk about their learning material and this style is very important for him to express his feelings.  He needs to know that he taking part in directing his own instruction.

- When teaching math, demonstrate how geometry is relevant to how their house was built:  straight lines, rectangles, triangles, circles, squares, etc.

- Have a learning journal to express how it is related to them, express opinions and feelings about what they have accomplished.  What can they do with this knowledge.

- Teach shapes with their own body.  Use different body parts to draw shapes in the air or use the body and transform themselves into a shape. The intrapersonal learner has all that they need to accomplish this feat themselves.

- Work alone to talk about a learning event, or about themselves into an audio tape

- They need a camera

- Keep scrapbooks, or albums of accomplishments

- Gather materials, choice of products, create self-made products

- Self-directed treasure hunts

- Rock collections - self directed, then sorted and look for patterns

- During math, have multiple centers already explained, that give choices for successful experiences

- Have a "safe space"  this is an area that is safe psychologically and emotionally

- Without pushing, continue to encourage the intrapersonal learner to socialize in group games 

In conclusion, the intrapersonal learner has a rich inner life.  He really would think I'm all that I need.  He is going to benefit from his own research through computer software programs or the internet.  With monitoring, this medium will unlock his self-directed style of learning.

-Some famous names associated with the intrapersonal learning intelligence are, Ghandi, Helen Keller, General George Patton, Aristotle, and Martin Luther King, Jr.

We Are All Needed

At the other end of the spectrum of the quiet corner is the social leader, the Interpersonal Learner.  This person can establish relationships easily and make others feel at ease.  They can innately read reactions and empathize. Their barometer can sense conflict.  The interpersonal learner will be the first to help mediate the situation.  

"Be The Teacher"

These students may struggle with independent seat work, anything abstract or out of context.  Their math learning needs to apply with everyday life.  These students learn through conversation with personal relationships and associations.  Self-expressive learners tends to visualize and create images, then  pursue multiple strategies with others.  This is a collaborative style of learning. We are all needed for learning to take place.
The interpersonal learner is comprehending highest when he is sharing, relating, cooperating, comparing, interviewing others----"Be The Teacher".  When teaching math as a resource instructor, I did this.  As students accomplished a math principle, I would allow them to come up to the overhead and illustrate/explain their learning.  This not only reinforced their knowledge, but encouraged other students to want to demonstrate a different method to arrive at the same answer.  We learned multiple ways to solve a problem.  In other words, they taught that principle.  I found that even in a diverse resource group of under achievers, with positive guidance, at least one interpersonal learner at each table was all that we needed.  He talked out and shared how he solved problems without any judgement, benefiting all in that setting.

Classroom Suggestions For the Interpersonal Learner

- Peer tutoring

- Interactive math centers with activities already practiced - work with 2 or 3 students:

   a.  Act out math word problems.  Place on cards with paper, pencils and manipulitives

   b.  Manipulitives with instructions on making different kinds of patterns with examples

This is a commercial model.  The coordinate map can also be made with masking tape on the floor or use tape on a clear plastic shower curtain that can be folded up and preserved.

   c.  Floor coordinate graph with bean bags and sticky notes.  Label graph 1-10 on one

        side and A-J on the other side.  Toss the bean bag, write the location on the sticky note,

        (e.g. d,7 ),  This can vary by placing toys or articles on the graph and having the student

        write the location of each of articles on the graph on the sticky note.  When done, 

        the items can be replaced at different places.

    d.  Assorted math puzzles

    e.  Number Line on board with location cards to record jumps.