Scaffolding for Reading: Strategies for Teachers

Hello, fellow educators!

As a Grade 5 teacher, I've found that scaffolding is an essential part of helping students grasp complex reading concepts and develop their skills. By breaking down learning into manageable parts and providing the right kind of support, we can guide our students to success. Here are some strategies for reading scaffolding that have worked wonders in my classroom:

1. Front-Load Vocabulary
   Introducing new vocabulary in context is crucial for comprehension. Start by pre-teaching key terms before diving into a new lesson. Use visuals, real-life examples, and simple definitions to make these words more relatable. Regularly revisiting and practicing these terms in different contexts helps reinforce students’ understanding. 

   In my classroom, I have a word wall where students can see and interact with new vocabulary. The word is written on the front, and the definition and picture are on the back, so they can use it as a game. I encourage them to use these words in their writing and speaking activities.

2. Incorporate Visual Aids
   Visual aids can significantly enhance understanding and retention. Charts, diagrams, videos, and graphic organizers help students visualize and organize information. These tools are particularly helpful for visual learners and can make abstract concepts more concrete.

   I regularly use anchor charts to outline key concepts and procedures. There are many ways to display anchor charts—I use pants hangers in my classroom, which makes it easy to display more than one in the same area if you don’t have a lot of space.

3. Ask Critical-Thinking Questions
   Encouraging students to think deeply and critically about the content is a powerful way to deepen their understanding. Ask open-ended questions that require them to explain their reasoning, make connections, and explore different perspectives.

   I use a wheel of Bloom’s taxonomy power words as a guide to formulate questions that challenge students. I keep this with me when planning my lessons. Something as easy as asking, “How?” or “Why?” can help challenge students at various levels of cognitive thinking.

4. Include Student Discourse
   Allowing students to discuss their ideas with peers fosters a collaborative learning environment and helps them articulate their thoughts. Structured group activities, think–pair–share sessions, and classroom debates are great ways to promote discourse.

   Each desk in my class has a pencil pouch that includes items students need for the day, including six discourse cards. They hold up one when they would like to join the conversation. Written on these cards are: I agree because . . ., I disagree because . . ., That reminds me of . . ., I want to add . . ., I like what you said about . . ., and What did you mean when . . . This allows all students to have the opportunity to participate. Be sure to establish clear guidelines for discussions so all ideas are shared respectfully.

5. Chunk Text
   Breaking down complex texts into smaller, more manageable chunks can help students process and understand the material better. Provide guiding questions and summaries for each section to help them focus on key points.

   Text chunking is a great strategy when reading nonfiction. I selectively place my students into groups and assign each group a portion of text to read. Each student in the group has a specific role. The recorder writes the important parts of what they read/learned on the anchor chart. The presenter presents it to the rest of the class. While a group is presenting, the rest of the students should have something to write on to take notes.

6. Ask Text-Dependent Questions
   Formulating questions that require students to return to the text to find answers helps them develop close reading skills and ensures they are engaging deeply with the material. These queries should prompt students to cite evidence and make inferences from the text.

   Students LOVE using highlighters and colored pens. Implement these into your routines, and they will be more apt to find their evidence. With anything, be sure to discuss procedures and establish guidelines up front. Start with literal questions that check for understanding, then move to inferential and analytical queries that require deeper thinking and textual evidence.

Implementing these scaffolding strategies in your classroom can make a significant difference in your students' learning journeys. Remember, the goal is to gradually release responsibility to the students, enabling them to become more independent and confident learners.

Let's continue to support each other and share our successes and challenges as we strive to create engaging and effective learning experiences for our students. Happy teaching!

To discover more reading strategies for your students, check out Teaching Executive Skills to Support Successful Reading or this whitepaper on reading scaffolds.