Learning Coach Corner
Volume II Issue 4
Great Things Happening in our Classrooms at South Middle School!
What is Scaffolding?
Besides being something used during the building phase of construction, scaffolding is also an important strategy used in classrooms. "In the field of education, the term scaffolding refers to a process in which teachers model or demonstrate how to think through or solve a problem, and then step back, offering support as needed. Psychologist and instructional designer Jerome Bruner first used the term 'scaffolding' in this context back in the 1960s." Scaffolding can also be thinking aloud about a topic by breaking down the steps in the process into manageable bits of information. Remember:
- Scaffolding is most useful for teaching new tasks or strategies with multiple steps.
- Any student at any grade level can benefit from instructional scaffolding.
- Scaffolding can be applied to any academic task.
Want to know more about scaffolding? Find some easy ways to scaffold in your classroom here.
Mindset: Teaching Students to Have Grit
The dictionary defines grit as courage and resolve; strength of character. Synonyms include pluck, mettle, backbone, spirit, resolve, tenacity, guts, endurance, and spunk. So, why do we have students in our classrooms who have these characteristics and some who don't? The secret is having grit and how that plays into a Growth Mindset. Can students be taught to have grit, thus, developing a Growth Mindset? Carol Dweck and Angela Lee Duckworth seem to think so! Learn more about how to teach grit and developing a Growth Mindset as a result.
Tech Bytes: Teacher Resources for iPads
Many schools now have 1:1 iPad initiatives happening in their district, and educators are consistently in need of new and innovative ideas about how to incorporate more technology into their classrooms. Following is a list of websites with tried and true ideas for implementation, usage, and application of iPad technology and apps into the classroom. Bookmark the site, join their newsletters, or follow their Twitter feeds for timely resources and information regarding anything iPad.