Howard Gardner:

Entry Points
Katy McKellar
November 18, 2020
 What are ● This educational strategy was
developed by Howard Gardner in 1993.

Entry Points?
○ Derived from his theory of Multiple
Intelligences.
● Gardner defined Entry Points as
“Avenues of learning a strategy for
addressing varied intelligence
preferences when learning a new
topic.”
● Gardner proposed 5 different types of
Entry Points
○ Narrational, Logical-quantitative,
Foundational, Aesthetic, and Experiential.
 The 5 Types of Entry Points
Narrational: Reading a
story or narrative about
the topic.
Logical-quantitative:
Foundational: Studying the
Using numbers or scientific
philosophy and vocabulary
knowledge that relate to the
that relate to the topic.
topic (especially if it is a
question).

Experiential: Using a hands-

Aesthetic: Looking at the
on approach with materials
sensory features of a topic
that relate to the topic while
(visual and auditory).
linking the student’s personal
experience.
 Differentiation
What is differentiation?
The process of designing assignments that cater to various styles of learning while also considering students as individuals so
that they can activate their strengths in their schoolwork. Although every student has a variety of intelligences, they usually
have one dominant intelligence or area of strength.

How do you differentiate using entry points?

Create a variety of assignments based off of the 5 paths of exploration through entry points. Allow students to
choose one assignment that interests them and enhances their dominant area of intelligence.

Why should teachers differentiate?

It challenges students to be creative and use real-world application in the classroom.

 Topic of
Exploration The Roaring 20’s: exploring
the connection between
American culture in the
1920s and The Great Gatsby
by F. Scott Fitzgerald and the
2013 cinematic re-creation
directed by Baz Luhrmann
through literature, the
economy, symbolism, theme,
fashion, and music.
 Investigation Options
After completing the book and watching the movie, allow
students to choose 1 out of the 5 projects offered to
complete independently and share with the class.
Option 1: Narrational

Project Title
Not Such a Happy Ending… or is It?

Assignment Description
At the end of The Great Gatsby, multiple characters are dead, Nick is attending Gatsby’s funeral, and
others have moved away. Choose one character whose ending you feel is not fair, and write an
epilogue with an alternative ending in which this character receives the proper fate. (Remember to
include how that may affect other characters… or not!)
Option 2: Logical-Quantitative

Project Title

Party Like it’s 1920 vs. 2020

Assignment Description

The Roaring 20’s gets its name in part from the booming success of the economy that occurred. Jay
Gatsby himself was very wealthy due to his suspicious “business calls.” Pretend you are Jay Gatsby
and you’re planning to host one of your weekend-long extravagant parties. Create a budget including
decorations, refreshments, servers, musicians, butlers, and any other necessary elements for a party
that would be hosted in the 1920s, and then create a budget for the same party that would be hosted
in the 2020s.
Option 3: Foundational

Project Title
Symbols and Themes in The Great Gatsby

Assignment Description

The Great Gatsby is full of symbols, many of which are represented by a color. It also has overarching
themes that reflect the lifestyle and desires of people in the Roaring 20’s. Choose a color or a theme
that is symbolic throughout the book and write a poem that incorporates the characters, quotes, or
settings related to your choice.
Option 4: Aesthetic

Project Title
Sounds of the Roaring 20’s

Assignment Description
The Roaring 20’s were a new age in music, known for the popularization of Jazz, Blues, and Dance
music. Choose a variety of 10 songs from the genres above that were released between 1920 and
1929 and provide a brief summary of each artist or band, featuring a short 10-30 second snippet of
each song to play for the class.
Option 5: Experiential

Project Title
Fashion in the Roaring 20’s

Assignment Description
The cinematic recreation of The Great Gatsby features elegantly dressed women with shorter dresses and hair than
ever before and men in classy suits with slicked back hair. Choosing one of these looks, or a combination of both,
recreate a doll-sized outfit with materials of your choosing that you would wear if you were attending one of Gatsby’s
parties.
 References
Tomlinson, C., 2014.. The Differentiated Classroom. 2nd ed. Alexandria, VA: ASCD, pp.130-133.