Building Support: Scaffolding Strategies for the Classroom

Helping students climb toward independent learning

Scaffolding is the support teachers give to help students move through their ZPD. Just like construction scaffolds, this support is temporary and adjustable based on the learner’s needs.

🔧 Effective Scaffolding Techniques

  1. Modeling – Show how to do a task before asking students to try.

  2. Think-Alouds – Verbalize your thought process while solving a problem.

  3. Prompting & Cueing – Ask guiding questions or give visual clues.

  4. Sentence Starters – Help with structured writing or responses.

  5. Checklists & Graphic Organizers – Break tasks into manageable parts.

  6. Gradual Release ("I Do – We Do – You Do") – Move from teacher-led to student independence.

💡 Tip

Scaffolding isn't one-size-fits-all. Observe closely and adjust support based on how each student responds.