Support Students

Guide Students through Complex Text: Effective Scaffolding

Simply placing students in challenging text that they cannot read does not work. Choosing scaffolds that meet the needs of students is an important part of navigating text complexity.

What are scaffolds?

• They are temporary support.

• They are not "one size fits all".

• They are to be used with the idea of a gradual release and growing independence.

• The same scaffold does not work in every situation, with every text.

• Students need to learn how to support themselves when wading in the waters of text complexity. Support students by supplying them with how to know what skill they need.

Featured Scaffolds

• Using Stair-Step Texts

• Triggering Motivation

• Teaching Comprehension Strategies

• Engaging in Close Reading

• Building Fluency

• Finding Text Coherence

• Unpacking Syntax

• Developing Vocabulary

• Building Knowledge and Accessing Prior Knowledge