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Identify one or two ways you can, as Dr. Black says, “build a structure [in your classroom] that also has a level of flexibility.”
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I do like to give students some freedom and choice. So in writing, for example, students can choose between a few topics to do informational writing, persuasive writing, opinion writing, etc.. I can also be somewhat flexible on due dates. When I teach middle school or high school, I let students determine how long they need to complete an assignment based on their other course load. As long as it is reasonable, I am fine with that.
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During some units, I assign a project and give students the option to make the project a test grade or make it part of their test grade. Also, one day during each unit I give students a course period to use how they see fit. They may work with me on homework, they may work on their own, or work in small groups.
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Our school is going to a hybrid schedule next year, meaning we will have three days with shorter course periods and two days with longer/block periods. My plan is to “build a structure” of learning on the short days where students will work on art history, art foundations and art criticism (the not-so-fun stuff). The longer periods will be devoted to time for the students to create.
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One way I love to keep my classroom learning flexible is by planning out what we’re going to learn for the year, but leaving some extra space for what I call “add ons”. If the students are particularly interested in something I have a bit of extra time built in for us to take a few days and learn about what they are interested in. In cases where the order of what we learn doesn’t matter as much I will let the students vote on which chapter they would like to learn next. We do both chapters, but I let them pick the order and this helps them feel like they have more of a say.
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I teach music. In my classroom, I try to challenge the quick learners but give students who struggle easier things to do.