Hallmarks of a Differentiated Classroom

1. A strong link between assessment and instruction: Assessment and instruction go hand in hand. Assessment should measure what was taught. We can use backwards design and plan our assessments around our instruction while being clear about our objectives.

2. Absolute clarity about what the teacher wants the students to know, understand, and be able to do - about what is truly important to learn in this unit: Focus is what we want the students to focus on.

Essential Learning- basic, indispensable and necessary.

Teacher Clarity- teacher is clear about what they are teaching.

3. Shared responsibility for the classroom is between teacher and students, in the goal of making it work for everyone: Let students be involved in their learning, “do you want to learn this first or this”? Shared responsibility is between teacher and students. Students contribute to the class community and learn their own strengths and weaknesses.

4. Individual growth is emphasized as central to classroom success: We plant the seeds- students grow at own pace. There are times we focus on individual and group successes, but we never point out and make it a competition. Individual growth = classroom success. We should recognize students’ growth without competition or comparison while we support and guide them. We should encourage students to achieve their personal best and set individualized personally challenging goals for them. 

5. A "way up", usually through multiple and varied pathways, and never a "way out": Scaffolding, simultaneously, strategically. You need to scaffold for the low kids as well as the high kids, always have the end goal in mind.

6. "Respectful" and engaging work for all students: Don’t make them feel stupid, get to know them so you can provide the right type of challenges. “Color outside of the lines!”

7. Proactive thinking and planning for different pathways: Differentiating is planning instruction ahead of time and planning for things that may arise and affect you while teaching. It’s planning for those things that will require accommodations/modifications for specific students.

8. Flexible grouping: Flexible grouping is a colorful classroom. It isn’t just about the grouping; it’s that you are flexible while doing so.

9. Flexible use of time, space, and materials : We need to create an environment that allows students to have the appropriate materials and space needed while working within the classroom. We will do whatever it is to assure students are earning the time, space, and materials that are needed to succeed. 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I love "The Golden Ticket" and the way it will help me as a future teacher make my classroom a differentiated classroom. I believe it's important for all teachers to utilize these hallmarks and use them in their teaching everyday. Learning to differentiate your classroom will make an effective classroom.