Differentiated Instruction is a flexible approach to teaching in which the teacher plans and carries out varied approaches to content, process, and product in anticipation of and in response to student differences in readiness, interests, and learning needs (Tomlinson, 1995, p. 10).

Howard Gardner identified seven different ways that people are smart. This research has had a huge impact on education. For me it has meant that I try to reach the needs of all the learners in my classroom.

Find out how you are smart by taking this survey.

In my teaching, I give assignments that appeal to many different learning styles and gives students choices in how they demonstrate their mastery of a topic. I have found that it motivates the lower learners and challenges the higher learners.

The assignment below is the culminating project of a unit of study on water. Students demonstrate their understanding of the concepts studied and have choices in how they present that understanding to me.

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