One of the challenges of teaching is to achieve the best fit between instruction and curriculum. When the correct balance is achieved the student progresses in their understanding of the curriculum. There are 9 Hallmarks of a Differentiated Classroom that will aid the teacher in finding the correct balance.
1)
A Strong link between Assessment and Instruction
Thought this sounds logical it is one area that all teachers need pay close attention to. I am sure that every teacher has seen lesson plans where the assessment doesn't correlate to the instruction. Teachers need to be looking at what the students have learned and what the understand through the entire lesson. If the lesson plans need to be adjusted based upon understanding a good teacher will prepare for and embrace the changes. The only way you can gain the understanding is to asses the learners progress as individuals and as a group. Accurate and applicable assessments will give you a quick glance into the learner and their understanding.
2)
Absolute clarity about what the student should know, understand, and do with the information.
Teachers need to set specific attainable goals
that each student should be able to reach. Being clear in what you intend the learner to gain form the lesson helps both the teacher and student while the lesson is being taught.
3)
Teachers and Students share responsibility for attaining and making goals.
When students are empowered in the classroom and take responsibility for classroom goals they become invested in the learning and teaching process. This builds a community attitude and allows the entire class to succeed or fail based upon the groups successes. This helps each of the students to identify and use their strengths and weaknesses for the greater good. Teachers must empower the students to make, adjust, keep, and grow from classroom goals.
4)
Individual growth is part of classroom success.
When a learner gains knowledge, skills, or succeeds in an area they had otherwise faltered in the classroom grows alongside the learner. Its important for these changes to be emphasized by the teacher to both the parents and where appropriate to the class. The teacher supports and guides the progress and directs the adjustments to personal goals with the learner. Individual learner growth is essential to classroom growth.
5)
Foster an environment that supports a "way up" not a "way out"
Tasks that help learners to stretch and supports them to learn by navigating through new unfamiliar information becomes essential to the growth of the learner. Teachers have to begin to "teach up" rather than teaching down. Often this takes the form of multiple activities for the same lesson allowing students to learn based upon their desire to do one of the different activites. Students should be scaffold during this process helping them to progress up ward and limits their ability to opt out of the activities. "It requires strategic thinking and actions."
6)
Respectful and engaging work for all students.
An experienced teacher understands that all students are on separate paths but all are working towards the same goal. The challenge for the teacher is to provide the same quality work for each path. This requires work and preparation on the teachers part. The students may use different materials but should have the same objective. Students deserve the material to be presented at each level with the same respect and enthusiasm. Teachers may find that the lesson must be adjusted but should still maintain the same level of quality.
7)
Proactive thinking and planning for different pathways.
As you plan your lesson its essential that you think about the inevitable accommodations that need to be made for your students.
If you know one student will not understand or be able to participate you should plan for and execute alternatives for the student. This is planning for what you know will affect one or more students in a different way.
8)
Flexible Grouping.
Students should be grouped based upon the lessor or activity taking skills, abilities, understanding, testing, and interest into account. You can and should change groups to allow students to participate with and learn form different students. This balance is needed to give students a wider range of experiences in the learning environment. Mix it up.
Create Flexible Grouping for a Colorful Classroom
9)
Flexible use of time, space, and materials.
From classroom arrangements to the way students work or the format they work in, teachers need to be willing to adjust, change with, and allow
for flexibility when teaching students. Teachers need to be willing to gather a variety of materials, styles, and settings to best teach each and every student in their care. It doesn't always have to be one way, embrace and celebrate change.
This list may seem daunting when you first look at it but the ultimate goal is to teach the student where they are and in a manner that best suits and facilitates learning. The more you learn about differentiation the easier it becomes to incorporate the concept into the classroom. I have seen classes where the teacher presents the lesson and one or more of the students are unable to grasp the concept. The teacher provides one of the students the chance to explain, teach, and demonstrate the information being taught in a manner that everyone understands. Its not that the teacher isn't prepared rather the material is presented with a different light and understanding is attained.
By living by these 9 Hallmarks we can and will make a difference for the entire classroom not just the one!
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