"Over a decade ago, cognitive scientists John D. Bransford and Daniel J. Schwartz asked fifth graders and college students to create a recovery plan to to protect bald eagles from extinction. Surprisingly, the two groups came up with plans of similar quality (although the college students had better spelling skills)."
Via
Beth Dichter
Here is a great idea to provide differentiation in homework. The Heat-ometer provides four levels, from mild (not shown in the image above) to medium (also not shown) to hot and extra hot. each level is more complex than the previous level, and 3 options are provided for each level.
The designer of this image also provides links to the original design, which is located at Take Away Homework.