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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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Applying different learning methods into lessons so all students’ method of learning is built into the study and the same goes for specific assessments can help bring flexibility into the lesson structure.
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Flexible structures are excellent. Without structure the teacher and student flail about. Yet, rigid structures fail to adapt to the individual needs.
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I taught math so I would always introduce each concept in multiple ways to reach all learners. I might present it orally, but also incorporate visual aids and hands-on activities. I was very flexible in allowing students to show their work in different ways and at times if the concept didn’t stick then I was adjust my lesson for that day.
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Even when structures are in place using differentiation to administer the same learning experience can be actualized. The same lesson can be taught using a variety of materials including learning aids, technology tools, or practical activities. This means that the teacher will always have to plan ahead to be ready for the students.
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You can have learning objectives that are applied to every student but give flexibility in how the application of learning is presented. Some students may present an oral report, some give a visual presentation with cultural dress or even cooking. There are so many creative ways students can express what they learned about a given topic. Some students might need to be given more difficult reading or extensive research because they are academically gifted.