Hallmarks

There are nine different hallmarks or principles of a differentiated classroom, they are:

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 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.

Using these nine hallmarks in your classroom as often as possible will help each student receive maximum growth. It will also help you connect your curriculum to your instruction. Trying to fit most if not all of these things into your instruction to truly be differentiating seems kind of intimidating to me. I'm sure it will take time and practice. It is comforting to know that nobody differentiates all the time.