What is Instructional Scaffolding?

Instructional scaffolding is a process through which a teacher adds supports for students in order to enhance learning and aid in the mastery of tasks. The teacher does this by systematically building on students' experiences and knowledge as they are learning new skills.

Instructional scaffolding is an important tool in ELA (English Language Arts) classrooms. It offers students a structured support system to help them develop their reading, writing, and speaking skills. 

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5 top advantages of instructional scaffolding:

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1. Scaffolding allows teachers to break down complex tasks into manageable chunks while providing targeted support to students so they can make progress. In this way, scaffolding helps students become more effective and independent learners.  

2. Scaffolding provides students with opportunities to practice their skills and build upon what they have already learned. It is an essential part of the learning process because it allows students to make connections between new and prior knowledge. This helps them to gain a better understanding of the material and to build upon it. For example, a teacher may provide scaffolding by having students read a passage, and then ask them questions about it to help them better understand the meaning of the text.  

3. Scaffolding also encourages active engagement with the material. When students are actively involved in the learning process, they are more likely to retain and comprehend the material. By providing scaffolding, teachers can help students become more engaged and motivated in their learning.  

4. Scaffolding is also beneficial because it allows teachers to assess students’ progress and adjust the instruction accordingly. By providing targeted support, teachers can help students make the most of their learning opportunities. This allows teachers to tailor their instruction to meet individual needs.  

5. Finally, scaffolding encourages collaboration between teachers and students. When teachers provide scaffolding, they create an environment where students can work together to construct meaning. This type of collaboration helps students develop their problem-solving skills, which are essential for success in ELA.  

In conclusion, scaffolding is a valuable tool for teachers. By providing targeted support and encouraging active engagement, scaffolding helps students make the most of their learning opportunities. It also helps teachers assess student progress and tailor their instruction accordingly. 

openSIS provides easy to use "Lesson Planning" feature that allows for creation and management of scaffolding by the teachers.

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With openSIS, you are not alone while planning for your next big shift in the education paradigm. Together let’s plan a preferable future for today’s students.