Trends in Teaching: Scaffolding Writing and Differentiation



Hello Euresha and Michelle,

 

I hope all is well. I wanted to share some key takeaways from my recent class on Thursday 14th September, 2023, where we were explored to various teaching trends, including writing conferences, scaffolding writing, and differentiation. The class was exceptionally enlightening.

Among the trends discussed, I was particularly fascinated by the concepts of scaffolding and differentiation, and I would like to explore these further. Scaffolding, as I’ve learned, is breaking down the learning process into manageable chunks, with each segment accompanied by a specific tool or structure. This method provides supportive guidance for students.  Upon my return to the classroom, I plan to integrate scaffolding strategies to enhance the writing experience for my students. My goal is to offer structured support throughout the learning process, facilitating a more comprehensive understanding of writing techniques.

 

Below I have attached an image of Scaffolding versus differentiation (Hasa, 2021)

 



During our class session, the lecturer emphasized the importance of understanding our students to meet them where they are appropriately by scaffolding a lesson or differentiating a lesson, we have to know the individual zone of proximal development (ZPD) of our learners.

 In our Lit 102 class, I learned six (6) scaffolding strategies.

The Six Scaffolding Strategies are:

1.      Show and Tell

2.      Tap into prior knowledge

3.      Give time to talk

4.      Pre-teach vocabulary

5.      Use visual aids

6.      Pause, ask questions, pause, review

 

I’ve attached a link to a YouTube video that discusses the process of scaffolding a lesson.

https://youtu.be/-28iobD8ydM?si=jRTRRXcDP9uZq-WX

According to (Coleman Tucker, 2022) Differentiated instruction is a teaching approach that tailors instruction to students’ different learning needs, it lets students show what they know in different ways.

I am eager to incorporate differentiation into my teaching practices, modifying assignments and activities to meet the diverse needs of my students. This approach is particularly beneficial for those facing challenges, ensures that instruction is tailored to individual learning styles, and provides equal opportunities for success.

I am enthusiastic about applying these strategies in my classroom and believe they will positively contribute to my student's learning experiences. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on these teaching trends.

This is a classroom activity that I have in mind that I’d like to undertake upon my return to the classroom using Show and Tell.

Class: Grade    One 1

Subject: Social Studies

Topic: Family

 

The activity involves students sharing a family photo or drawing discussing family roles, and explaining the significance of their chosen image. I plan to assess the presentation using a rubric that considers content, communication skills, and creativity. This show-and-tell aims to enhance the learning experience while fostering a sense of community in the classroom.

 References

Coleman Tucker, G. (2022). What Is Differentiated Instruction? Www.understood.org. https://www.understood.org/en/articles/differentiated-instruction-what-you-need-to-know

 

‌Hasa. (2021, April 30). What is the Difference Between Scaffolding and Differentiation? Pediaa.com. https://pediaa.com/what-is-the-difference-between-scaffolding-and-differentiation/

 

‌

 


Comments

  1. MichelleNovember 24, 2023 at 10:47 AM

    This post was quite exceptional. I learned more about the topic in this blog that summarized the lesson systematically. The differences between scaffolding and differentiation were well documented. The activity at the end of the blog was interesting and will be useful for teaching writing.

    ReplyDelete
  2. EureshaNovember 27, 2023 at 5:12 PM

    Hey Tanzania! 🌟 Just read your blog post and couldn't agree more with your enthusiasm for scaffolding and differentiation! 📚✨ The six strategies you shared are gold, and I'm totally onboard with integrating them into my teaching. The family-themed show-and-tell for Grade 1 in Social Studies sounds like a fantastic idea to foster community and enhance learning. 🌈👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Thanks for sharing the video links and references – can't wait to discuss these teaching trends further! 🚀💬 #TeachingStrategies #ScaffoldingMagic #DifferentiationInAction

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