Hallmarks

Hallmarks of a Differentiated Classroom

1. A strong link between assessment and instruction.
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.
3. Shared responsibility for the classroom is between teacher and students, in the goal of making it work for everyone.
4. Individual growth is emphasized as central to a classroom success.
5. A "way up" usually through multiple and varied pathways, and never a "way out."
6. "Respectful" and engaging work for all students.
7. Proactive thinking and planning for different pathways.
8. Flexible grouping.
9. Flexible use of time, space, and materials.

I absolutely love “The Golden Ticket” handout that we got in class about the Hallmarks of a Differentiated Classroom! They all make perfect sense and to me it is just common sense to use them when it comes to teaching. While they are all fantastic, I want to talk about a couple of them that really stand out to me. I remember being in Dr. Jays’ class in our first semester and learning about backwards design; that is what I think about when I read through the first Hallmark, A strong link between assessment and instruction. Any teacher worth their salt should always be thinking about if the assessment they are giving their students measures what they taught about in their instruction. Backwards design is the best way to ensure that you are assessing exactly what you are teaching your students. If you start with your assessment and build your instruction around that, it will make figuring out your objectives so much easier! Assessment and Instruction go hand in hand. For every lesson, every day, you need to have an ultimate goal of what you want your students to learn and understand. Your assessments need to match perfectly with your instruction and measure your students' knowledge. 

Morning Meeting

When I first came to class and heard the phrase Morning Meeting, I had NO idea what it was. I never had a teacher growing up who integrated this into their instruction. After a couple of classes, doing my own morning meeting in class, and especially after Sylvia Long came to speak to us I absolutely think this is something every teacher should do. If done right it truly creates an amazing classroom environment. When Sylvia told the story about the young boy who couldn't read and was worried about memorizing "Good Timber" I was astounded. When she told us that he did memorize it, before her "alphas", I started crying. The most amazing feeling came over me when I heard that. Morning meetings can truly make a difference in a child's' life. Using morning meeting in your classroom, EVERYDAY, can open up the door for your students to get to know each other better and support each other. It allows students to feel like they belong, they build friendships, and it can create an environment that feels safe where students respect one another.  It should be used as a way to promote a classroom community where you interact with the students and they interact with each other, not as a way for you to get planning done while students just do whatever. If you can use morning meetings the right way, your classroom will function so much better than it would without it. When you do a morning meeting you should incorporate a way for students to have fun and work together. I found a great site with TONS of fabulous morning meeting activity ideas. I will link it below :) I can't wait to use morning meetings in my own classroom!
Morning Meeting Activities