MULTIPLE INTELIGENCE (Naturalist)

Ability to recognize and categorize plants, animals and other objects in nature

• Weather conditions of the natural world
• Recognize patterns and distinctions in the natural world

This intelligence involves understanding the natural world of plants and animals, noticing their characteristics, and categorizing them; it generally involves keen observation and the ability to classify other things as well.  It may be exercised by exploring nature, making collections of objects, studying them, and grouping them. 
Careers:Forest rangers, nature guides, animal trainers, zoo keepers, landscape designers, gardeners, scientists investigating the biological and physical worlds, bird watchers, veterinarians, farmers, people involved in scouting and camping, botanists, horticulturists, florists, meteorologists, conservations
BENEFITS of developing and strengthening Nature Smarts include: 

• Gaining an awareness of how  nature effects and shapes who you are as a person
• Developing a respect for other creatures which inhabit our world
• Acquiring a greater sensitivity to larger patterns in the environment, such as the weather, changing seasons, phases of the moon, etc. 
• Nurturing the ability to grow things
• Caring for and conserving the natural environment

Teaching Resources

• Illustrations
• Paintings
• Maps
• Personal narratives and photographs of historical
• Contemporary environments

Basic MI Activities - Teaching Activities

• Design virtual landscapes
• Analyze computer simulated topographic battlefields, cities, maps, etc.

Instructional Strategies - Teaching Activities

• Recognize and classify cultural and natural artifacts
• Data gathering in natural setting

Naturalist intelligence is the ability to recognize and classify elements of the natural world.  That is, this intelligence enables us to classify, understand, and explain the elements of nature.  Those "at promise" in this domain have an understanding of the environment; they learn well through outdoor activities, including those that involve interacting with natural and environmental materials and concepts.

• Young children may be fascinated by all kinds of creatures, including the ants crawling along a picnic blanket. 
• Older children love to learn the names of trees and flowers, and have a good eye for the differences between them.  They spend hours compiling science reports on their favorite animals and exotic plants.  
• Adults tend to be aware of the subtleties in appearance, texture, and sounds that those weaker in this intelligence may not grasp.  Stated a slightly different way, this intelligence has to do with observing, understanding and organizing patterns in the natural environment.  

People Examples:

Galileo
Rachael Carson
John Audubon
Lewis & Clark
Jane Goodall
Jacques Costeau
Diana Fossey
John Muir
 Sacajawea