Hallmarks

When I hear the word Hallmark, my first thought is...A CARD...ya know, like the one that you send to people! Then I started thinking about what most cards represent...the first thought that came to mind was ENCOURAGING. So basically, you usually send Hallmark cards with encouraging words, thoughts, or messages in them.

A differentiated classroom also has Hallmarks that a teacher should use in the classroom, these too can be encouraging words, thoughts, messages that are portrayed to your students. They also include ways a classroom should work with the help from both the teacher and the student. I want to share the Hallmarks here mainly for me (I don't want to forget them), but other people might enjoy them as well.

As a teacher there needs to be A Strong link between assessment and instruction. The teacher's own absolute clarity about what he or she wants the students to know, understand, and be able to do-about what is truly important to learn in this unit, This clarity helps a teacher focus on their learning goals. There needs to be Shared responsibility for the classroom is between teacher and students, in the goal of making it work for everyone. Achieving one's personal best is really important so Individual growth is emphasized as central to classroom success. A "way up," usually through multiple and varied pathways, and never a "way out." Which is when a teacher scaffolds a child to help them better understand material. A few other Hallmarks are, "Respectful" and engaging work for all students. Proactive thinking and planning for different pathways. Flexible grouping and flexible use of time, space, and materials.

I just really like these hallmarks and think they are huge if we want to have a differentiated classroom for our students.

In Fulfilling the Promise it said, "While students have the same basic needs, those needs will manifest themselves in different ways. Effective differentiation begins with awareness and understanding of basic student needs. It progresses as teachers become more adept at understanding how those basic needs are manifested in the classroom and how each classroom experience meets the learner's needs" (Tomlinson. p.20).

So first things first, understanding the students basic needs! It is important to remember that although students in the classroom will likely have the same needs, they will take on a different "spin" using their life experiences, and will have to be handled differently.