What Is Scaffolding?
Temporary instructional supports that help students accomplish tasks they cannot yet do independently, gradually removed as competence increases.
Scaffolding is an instructional technique where teachers provide temporary supports to help students bridge the gap between what they can do independently and what they can do with help (Vygotsky's Zone of Proximal Development). As students develop competence, the supports are gradually removed.
Examples of scaffolding include modeling, think-alouds, graphic organizers, sentence stems, vocabulary previews, chunked instructions, worked examples, and guided practice before independent practice. The key is that scaffolds are temporary and intentionally faded.
Good scaffolding is responsive — the teacher observes what students can and cannot do, provides just enough support to move them forward, and removes support as soon as the student can proceed independently.
Related Terms
Differentiated Instruction
An approach to teaching that adapts content, process, product, or learning environment based on individual student needs, readiness, interests, and learning profiles.
UDL (Universal Design for Learning)
A framework for designing flexible instruction that provides multiple means of engagement, representation, and action/expression to reach all learners.
Guided Reading
A small-group reading instruction strategy where the teacher works with students at similar reading levels, providing support as they read a text at their instructional level.
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