September 9, 2009

The hallmarks I have chosen that are important to me are a strong link between assessment and instruction, individual growth is emphasized as central to classroom success, and qualitative rather than quantitative tasks. I decided to go more into these hallmarks because I feel that they are key to having a sucessful, differentiated classrooms.
When I think of assessment, I first think of tests. However, assessment can be done in so many more ways than testing. Games, movement activities, and presentations are all forms of demonstration of knowledge. Pre-assessment and informal assessment are so important to me. We will be able to know exactly where our students lie and what needs to be reinforced. When we know where all students lie, we will be able to give instruction to all the various levels of our students.
Individual growth is determined by assessment and is definitely key to classroom success. Each student should learn a year's worth of knowledge regardless of what level he or she is on. I remember class competitions that made me so nervous. I was so young, but can vividly remember hating competing with my friends. I don't want to put my students through what I went through. Competition does not need to be reinforced to encourage the best of individuals.
Along with assessment, qualitative tasks provide an authentic way to show our students' improvement. There is a time and place for drills, but are not to be used on a daily basis. Again, reinforcing my thoughts on creating a differentiated classroom, qualitative tasks will tend to the needs of each student and his or her learning level and ability.

Although differentiation can be made complex, the implementation of it in our classrooms can only help ourselves and our students. "The goal of a differentiated classroom is to plan actively and consistently to help each learner move as far and as fast on the learning continuum." The components of differentiation are readniness, interest, learning profile, and affect. These components will help me in the following ways:

• I will be able to determine the levels of readiness in my students and therefore, vary the levels of instruction I give. I had already planned to do this, but actually writing it down gives me the sense that it is a goal rather than something I just say.
• By attending to my students interests, I will be able to capture their love of learning. Supporting different styles of learning will also help me by being able to reach out to my students' personal lives. By doing this, my classroom will be able to learn in the best possible ways for everyone.
• Finally, encouraging students to be their very best selves will open countless learning possibilities.