
Learning Strategies
Max Brain Power using your MI strengths…..

A memory is an electro-chemical path in your brain’s neurons. The more paths that you create then the stronger the memory will be. It is easier to make paths when you study and practice using your brain’s natural strengths.
There are learning activities aligned with your MI strengths. See Quick Links below. As you review these strategies record them here to create your own Max_Brain_Power_3pgs plan.
The Rule of Three: Max Brain Power
Step 1: Review everything and compare to what you already know about it
Step 2: Use a strength to process new information: e.g., try creating a Visual Map
Step 3: Do something with that information… e.g., create a Power Point presentation, write a song, etc.
Space Awareness: to solve problems of spatial orientation and moving objects through space such as driving a car
_ Place new information on labeled shelves in imaginary kitchen cupboards,
or on a workbench.
Artistic Design: to create artistic designs, drawings, paintings or other crafts
_ Watch, Visualize, Sketch.
_ Think of a simile, metaphor or an exaggerated, odd picture.
_ Make notes with different colored pens.
_ Use page layout or shapes for note taking.
_ Make “Visual Maps” to organize new information.
_ Take photographs, video or make a sketch.
_ Add attractive personal style or decorations.
_ Daydream, make a movie in your mind.
_ Create a cartoon, picture book or sculpture.
_ Organize information in a colorful, spatial layout.
Working with Objects: to make, build, fix, or assemble things
_ Look at it 3 times (making different mental images each time).
_ Demonstrate it all at once so you get the Big Picture.
_ Draw a puzzle, map, design or graph.
_ Build a model using the new information
How to Study:
” I can use my Spatial, imagination and artistic abilities to learn anything! I can organize my notes on the page in a clear design. I can use “mapping” to visually arrange new information. I can use different colored pens, markers, paper or notebooks. I will visualize real life” situations involving the information. I can do some drawing or building before reading to warm-up my brain. I can picture myself knowing how to use the new information very well on a test or project. I will look to see how the whole problem works from beginning to end and then break it down into chunks and pieces. I can use doodles, drawings or other symbols to help me to memorize things. I can make cartoons or a video tape to explain complicated stuff and practice skills. I can ask someone to show me how it works while I watch carefully.”
Athletics: ability to move the whole body for physical activities such as balancing, coordination and sports
_ Do it 3 times for practice.
_ Touch, walk and talk to keep attention focused.
_ Play and move through it step‑by‑step like a mime.
_ Be patient as it moves through you.
_ Take “movement” breaks often.
Dexterity: to use the hands with dexterity and skill for detailed activities and expressive moment
_ Do it 3 times for practice.
_ Use “hand‑over‑hand” demonstration.
_ Write it large or over and over again.
_ Dramatize it to get a “feel” for it in your bones,
_ Hold on to it and use gestures.
_ Tinker with it, build a model.
_ Explore it with your hands or move through it in imagination.
How to Study:
“I can use my Body to learn anything! I can try moving around while I study. I can take movement breaks or walk while I study my notes. I can manually write out the information over & over. I can “do it” not just talk about it. I can get a feel for it and follow hunches. I can physically sort out my notes and rearrange the information using note cards. I will practice, practice and practice. I will try to imitate exactly how someone else does it. I can find ways to act out or dramatize the information. I can play make believe and pantomime it. I can invent gestures to describe what I’m learning. I can tinker with it and build a model. “
Everyday Math: use math effectively in everyday life
_ Count, Calculate and Categorize.
_ Create a ‘story problem’ out of the new information
School Math: performs well in math at school
_ Count, Calculate and Categorize.
_ Count, Calculate and Categorize.
Everyday Problem Solving: able to use logical reasoning to solve everyday problems, curiosity
_ Strive to understand‑‑ how, why & what.
_ Question, Count and Categorize.
_ Ask why and how.
_ Explain it step‑by‑step in detail.
_ Analyze it.
_ Experiment with it.
_ Find a pattern that is new or fits.
_ Explore the possibilities.
_ Test an answer logically.
_ Collect, Compare and Critique.
Strategy Games: good at games of skill and strategy
_ Create a game board or 20 Questions with the information
How To Study:
“I can use my Logical skills to learn anything! I can use logic to find explanations for how things work. I can create detailed plans about connections and relationships between things. I can seek out solutions like a detective. I can make a game and challenge myself to find a more efficient and better way to study. I can test myself and analyze my mistakes. I can count my errors and chart my progress. I can tackle a problem in an orderly way: first things first. I can often ask WHY and HOW. I can outline the logical pattern of the information and determine what’s most important and least. I will wonder about the possibilities and test out answers.”
Social Sensitivity: sensitivity to and understanding of other people’s moods, feelings and point of view
_ Study in a group, have family discussions.
_ Understand why it’s important to someone else.
_ Join a team in competition or in cooperation.
_ Study with a partner.
_ Listen just to learn without questioning or interrupting.
Social Persuasion: ability for influencing other people
_ Understand why it’s important to someone else.
_ Teach it to a friend until she understands it.
_ Create a lesson plan to teach it to someone else.
_ Teach it so even a child could understand.
Interpersonal Work: interest and skill for jobs involving working with people
_ Study in a group, have family discussions.
_ Join a team in competition or in cooperation.
How To Study:
“I can use my Interpersonal skills to learn anything! I can try real hard to understand what the teacher wants to be able to do and what to know. I will “read his mind” and then check it out to see if I am right. I will ask 2 or 3 people in the class or a friend what I am supposed to know. I will ask the student who is a whiz to explain it to me. I will have fun “playing the role” or the person who is an expert. I will lead a “study group”. I will talk to a best friend on the phone and we’ll study it together. I will do my best to teach the new information to someone else and then have them teach it back to me. I will be my own best cheerleader while I am learning something real hard. I will remind myself that someone important is counting on me to do my best. I will try to sell or persuade someone that I am an expert. I will dramatize the information.”
Personal Knowledge / Efficacy: awareness of one’s own ideas, abilities; able to achieve personal goals
_ Ask how this agrees or disagrees with your past experiences. _ Ask what you already know about this.
_ What is your opinion about this information.
_ What don’t you know, need to know & how to find out.
_ Work at it alone.
_ Stop to reflect often about this information.
_ Challenge yourself to learn it.
_ Test yourself.
_ Use your best other skills for memorizing it.
_ Convince yourself that you will be a better person by learning it.
Calculations: meta-cognition “thinking about thinking’ involving numerical operationsSpatial Problem Solving: self awareness to problem solve while moving self or objects through
Self Effectiveness: ability to relate oneself well to others and manage personal relationships
_ Why is it important for you to know it.
_ What don’t you know, need to know & how to find out.
_ Stop to reflect often about this information.
_ Challenge yourself to learn it.
_ Learn it just for yourself.
_ Learn to catch when your mind is wandering & bring back to task.
How to Study:
“I can use my Intrapersonal skills to improve my learning in anything! I can first ask myself, “What do I already know about this?” and “Why is this information important to me? How does it fit in my life and my future? Will I ever need to know or use this?” I can slow down my practice or study process to find and correct my mistakes or misunderstandings. I will review my work often and ask myself, “What did I just learn? Is it important to know and remember?” As I study a new subject I will remind myself of what my learning strengths and try to use them to learn. If I become discouraged or frustrated or sidetracked I will think of ways to focus my thoughts and think positive. I will learn to test myself to discover if I am learning. I will not put myself down because of my weaknesses. I will find ways to boost my self confidence and not give up. I will use positive –self talk when solving problems. I will remind myself that I am my own best teacher. I will check out my new learning with teachers or parents to be sure I have studied correctly.”
Vocal Ability: a good voice for singing in tune and in harmony
Notice how the words sound.
_ Repeat it until you can hear it clearly and it sounds just right.
_ Sing it to yourself.
_ Make up a song lyric that explains it.
_ Say it out loud sometimes slowly and sometimes quickly.
_ Emphasize the accent or the voice inflections.
Instrumental Skill: skill and experience in playing a musical instrument
Composer: makes up songs or poetry and has tunes on her mind
_ Make a musical beat to it.
_ Make up a song lyric that explains it.
Appreciation: actively enjoys listening to music of some kind
Use Rhyme, Rhythm and Repetition.
_ Notice how the words sound.
_ Does it ‘ring true’.
_ Make a musical beat to it.
_ Study with pleasant music, a metronome or with perfect quiet.
_ Say it out loud sometimes slowly and sometimes quickly.
How to Study:
“I can use my Musical skills to learning anything! I can play familiar or relaxing music before or during my study time. I can make up fun rhymes or lyrics using new information I must memorize. I will listen for rhythms and sound patterns in explanations. I energize my brain to study when I’m tired with strong music. I can hum to myself as I do my work. I can take musical breaks. I can make a DJ tape using the new information with appropriate music. I can look for music that pertains to what I must study.”
Animal Care:
_Skill for understanding animal behavior, needs, characteristics
_ Consider how the information fits into the natural world.
_ Discover how it has developed over time and look for growth.
_ Imagine how you are cultivating the knowledge to feed your mind.
_ Are there animal metaphors that fit with your new knowledge /skill?
Plant Care: ability to work with plants, i.e., gardening, farming and horticulture
_ Consider how the information fits into the natural world.
_ Discover how it has developed over time and look for growth.
_ Imagine how you are cultivating the knowledge to feed your mind.
Science: knowledge of natural living energy forces including cooking, weather and physics
_ Observe something carefully and identify patterns.
_ Record and organize data into a system that makes sense.
_ Imagine or build a “living model” that shows relationships.
_ Imagine how you are cultivating the knowledge to feed your mind.
How to Study:
I can use my Naturalist skills to improve my learning in anything! I can first observe carefully by using my senses to watch, listen, touch, smell and maybe even taste the new information. I can record and then organize all this data into a system that makes sense to me. I might make separate lists, use a graph, collage, mobile or “mind-map” to show relationships and connections between the different parts. I can follow a hunch then test it out. I can build or imagine a living model. I can think of animal metaphors and symbols for the new information to help me relate to it. I can discover how this information fits into the natural world scheme of plants, animals and human life. I can see how things have developed over time and look for growth, change and the evolution of ideas and products. I can imagine that I am a hunter tracking down the answers by following signs and footprints. I can imagine that I am gathering food for my mind so my brain won’t starve. I can imagine that I am cultivating a garden or raising the next generation of good ideas.”
Linguistic Sensitivity: skill in the use of words for expressive and practical purposes
_ Repeat it 3 times to yourself.
_ Make up an exciting, odd or scary story.
_ Look up definitions of unknown words/ write them out in your own words
Reading: skill in reading
_ Preview, Question, Read, Review & Test.
_ Listen, Question, Outline, Explain.
_ Write notes and questions in margins of book as you read (or on post it notes)
Writing: ability and interest in writing projects such as poems, stories, books or letters
_ Take detailed notes.
_ Write an outline. L/M
_ Make a list or checklist. L/M
Speaking/Rhetorical: skill in oral communication for persuasion, memorization and description
_ Make up memorable abbreviations.
_ Make up an exciting, odd or scary story.
_ Explain / teach it to someone else.
_ Talk about it into a tape recorder and review it.
_ Persuade someone else using all the information I
How to Study:
“I can use Linguistic activities to learn anything! I will read everything in the book carefully. I will listen especially to explanations and write detailed notes which I can then rewrite and translate them into my own words. I will pick out key words to memorize. I will build my vocabulary. I will learn the meaning of words that confuse me. I can use a tape recorder to help me study by talking out loud and then listening to the recording. I can make up a story. I can create a rhyme to help me remember. I can talk to someone about what I’m trying to learn. and try to teach or convince or sell them this new information. I will write a checklist of everything I need to know. I can make an outline of the information.”