Plan Once, Reach Everyone: The Power of Choice Boards
Have you ever sat down to lesson plan and realized you're essentially designing five different activities for five different learning styles—every single day?
Yep, me too.
Differentiation is one of those things we know is important. Our gifted learners need challenge. Others learners need scaffolding. And everyone benefits from more choice and voice in their learning.
But the reality? Most of us are exhausted and out of time.
That’s why I stopped trying to be a one-person curriculum factory—and started using something that changed everything: choice boards.
What’s a Choice Board?
A choice board is a simple but powerful tool.
Instead of creating separate activities for each student, you create one board with 6–9 options that all target the same learning goal. Students then choose the activities that interest or challenge them most.
It’s differentiation without the overwhelm—and it encourages independence, engagement, and creativity.
Real Examples: Ecosystems and Novel Study
Let’s say you’re doing a unit on ecosystems. Your choice board might include:
Draw a food web
Write a diary entry from the perspective of a rainforest animal
Create a 3D model of an ecosystem
Research an endangered species and give a short talk
Design a quiz or game to teach classmates about food chains
One board. Multiple learning styles. Multiple entry points. And just one round of planning for you.
Why It Works
Teachers (and homeschool parents) tell me they feel like they’re failing because they can’t give every child an individualized learning path every day.
Here’s the truth:
You don’t need a custom curriculum for every learner.
You need structures that support you—and give your students options to thrive.
Choice boards do exactly that.
They work in classrooms.
They work in homeschool settings.
And they work for gifted learners, 2e students, and mixed-ability groups.
Why I Do This Work
At InterestEd, my mission is simple: To reduce teacher burnout by offering real tools that actually make your job easier. You shouldn’t have to choose between doing what’s best for your students and protecting your own energy. You deserve both. Professional development should feel like support—not another obligation. That’s why I’m committed to sharing strategies that are meaningful, manageable, and made for real life.
Want to Try One? I Made You One to Use Today!
To help you get started, I put together a resource called the Choice Board Planning Toolkit.
Inside, you’ll find:
A sample novel study-themed choice board
A time-saving and EDITABLE planning template
Final Thought
Planning for your students—or your own kids—doesn’t have to be a never-ending task list.
Sometimes, the smartest move is the simplest one. Try a choice board. Take back your planning time. And give your learners a chance to shine in their own way.
You’ve got this—and I’m cheering you on every step of the way.
