Scaffolding

Scaffolding involves the following structure: the teacher does it, the class does it, the group does it, and
then the student does it. By starting larger and working towards a more individual approach, students gets
comfortable with the process for solving the problem at hand, until they can handle it on their own. The
repetitive nature of scaffolding helps students develop stronger skills for handling new material. Ultimately,
their success will translate into an inspiration to learnmore.

The purpose of scaffolding is to provide support to your students and facilitate learning. Complex topics are
first broken into smaller pieces to allow for graduated learning. You wouldnt expect much enthusiasm from
your students, for example, if you told them to provide a four-page written paper on a historical event of
their choosing in two weeks. However, you could apply scaffolding to pique interest and support your
students along the way.

Step 1: Determine Timing and the Approach by

Subject
Just as offering the right amount of help is critical, so is applying that help at the right time. Timing is crucial
with scaffolding because, if students dont feel supported and encouraged through complex topics, theyll
get frustrated and give up. You can assess your students level of frustration with constant feedback
throughout the process.

Also, while there are certain topics that lend themselves more easily to scaffolding, you can apply
scaffolding anywhere. Complex topics such as math are difficult to incorporate visuals, but demonstration
works well in these scenarios. Models work well with the sciences, and flowcharts can help with
understanding concepts such as philosophy.
Step 2: Find a Great Visual or Verbalization

Image via Flickr by Michael Bentley

Using a visual in scaffolding is a technique that allows you to model the nuances of complex topics. Once
you break the topic into smaller pieces, use video clips or images to contrast lecture-based teaching. Visuals
arent limited to pictures or video. Demonstrations are another great visual that allow students to interact
with the material from a safe distance.
Similarly, walking the students through a problem-solving method acts as a visual to better explain the
lesson. A flowchart can visually map out a thought process or idea that may not have a straightforward
visual representation, such as certain math concepts.

If a visual isnt accessible for a certain topic, verbalization of the thought process for solving the problem can
help students understand the material. Even prompts for open discussion will be beneficial for students to
learn new concepts.

Step 3: Use Verbalizations and Visuals as an

Opportunity for Discussion
Once you have visuals for your topic, use these to create discussions among the students. Start by
describing your process for working through the problem. Then encourage the class to ask questions or
share their own ideas for working through the problem. Take discussions even further by breaking into small
groups.

This more informal interaction gives shy students an opportunity to speak under less pressure. Students
can share personal experiences to explain their reasoning behind how they approach the problem.
Discussions provide a dynamic and interactive setting for sharing ideas and allowing the teacher to assess
the students grasp on the material.
Step 4: Move to an Individualistic Approach

Image via Flickr by Tulane Public Relations

One of the trials of teaching is learning to read the student, determine her needs and tailor your teaching to
accommodate her. Take the same approach with scaffolding. Each students needs vary, and students will
have strengths and weaknesses that differ with certain subjects. Personal backgrounds can offer students a
chance to share personal experiences and expand how other students relate to the material.

This makes the practice of scaffolding that much more challenging in the classroom. You want to offer just
enough help so that the student doesnt get frustrated, but not so much help that you are no longer
challenging him.

Step 5: Emphasize that Errors are Okay

Encourage your students to see that errors are a way to learn, so that theyll approach mistakes as an
opportunity to better understand the material. Start by talking through a problem where you, as the teacher,
have made a mistake.
This style of scaffolding allows your students to see an overview of the process and recognize common
pitfalls. Try asking the question, What could I have done differently? to allow for an opportunity for
creativity to seek out better solutions. Once students understand that its okay to make mistakes, they can
take risks and open themselves to learning more.

The technique of scaffolding in your classroom is an excellent teaching method that can encourage many
types of students. It comes with its own inherent set of challenges, yet the benefit of helping your students
is a great reward. Start by understanding scaffolding and how it works, and apply the practice based on
your curriculum and your classroom.
Simple Tools to Introduce Differentiated
Instruction to Your Class
1.Look for ways to build intrinsic motivation with differentiation. Instead of having every student write
an essay on the same topic, how about letting the students choose? That struggling reader might
become more motivated if he gets to write about his favorite sport.
2.Give students different ways to process a lesson. Some might choose to journal about a reading
assignment, while others form a literature circle.
3.Go all-in with ThinkCERCA or another program that provides a full curriculum. Teachers have had
the most success with differentiated instruction when they can get their whole school to commit to
the same philosophy.
4.Use Power My Learning or other online sites that provide free customization for academic games and
content. Some even tie the content to Common Core standards.
5.Look for new ways to scaffold a lesson. Try thinking aloud as you solve a problem or read a text, or
show students a finished model of the project they are going to work on.
6.There are apps galore for differentiation. Dragon Dictation transcribes what students say, making it
a good tool for ELL and special needs students. Its also handy for verbal note-taking. And its free!