Hathorsoft Plan

Quickly build an effective lesson plan with this step-by-step tool. It's built with handy hints and suggestions, but allows full customisation so you can teach your lessons, your way.

Scaffolding & Teaching Techniques

Evidence-based strategies to support student learning and create effective lessons

Understanding Scaffolding

Scaffolding is temporary support provided to students to help them achieve learning goals they couldn't reach independently. Based on Vygotsky's Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD), it bridges the gap between what students can do alone and what they can achieve with guidance.

Key Principle

Effective scaffolding is temporary and responsive - it should be gradually removed as students become more independent.

The Scaffolding Process

  1. Model: Demonstrate the skill or process
  2. Guide: Work through examples together
  3. Practice: Students practice with support
  4. Apply: Independent application

Types of Scaffolding

Verbal Scaffolding
  • Think-aloud demonstrations
  • Guided questioning
  • Prompting and cueing
  • Clarifying instructions
  • Encouraging self-talk

Example: "What do you notice about this pattern? What might come next?"

Visual Scaffolding
  • Graphic organizers
  • Charts and diagrams
  • Visual schedules
  • Concept maps
  • Worked examples

Example: KWL charts, mind maps, step-by-step visual guides

Procedural Scaffolding
  • Breaking tasks into steps
  • Checklists and rubrics
  • Templates and frameworks
  • Task cards
  • Structured activities

Example: Writing frames, problem-solving templates

Strategic Scaffolding
  • Teaching metacognitive strategies
  • Problem-solving approaches
  • Learning strategies
  • Self-regulation techniques
  • Study skills

Example: "Before reading, what do you already know about this topic?"

Assessment for Learning (AFL)

Formative assessment strategies that inform teaching and help students understand their progress.

Questioning Techniques
  • Wait Time: Allow 3-5 seconds after questions
  • Think-Pair-Share: Individual → pair → class discussion
  • No Hands Up: Random selection ensures all participate
  • Hot Seating: Students answer in character
Quick Checks
  • Exit Tickets: 3-2-1 summaries
  • Mini Whiteboards: Instant visual feedback
  • Thumbs Up/Down: Quick understanding check
  • Traffic Lights: Red/amber/green confidence levels
Feedback Strategies
  • 2 Stars & a Wish: Positive + improvement
  • Comment-Only Marking: No grades, just guidance
  • Peer Assessment: Students assess each other's work
  • Self-Assessment: Students reflect on their learning
AFL Best Practice

Effective AFL is about closing the gap between current and desired performance. Focus on next steps rather than just identifying what's wrong.

Differentiation Strategies

Adapting instruction to meet diverse learning needs, abilities, and interests.

Differentiation by Content

  • Tiered assignments: Same skill, different complexity levels
  • Choice of resources: Text, video, audio, interactive
  • Flexible grouping: Ability, interest, or learning style
  • Pre-teaching: Key concepts for struggling learners
  • Extension activities: Challenge for advanced learners
  • Multiple representations: Visual, auditory, kinesthetic

Differentiation by Process

  • Learning stations: Rotate through activities
  • Varied pacing: Allow different completion times
  • Choice in methodology: Research, experiment, discuss
  • Scaffolded support: Gradual release of responsibility
  • Collaborative groups: Peer support and learning
  • Independent study: Self-directed learning paths

Differentiation by Product

Multiple ways to demonstrate learning:

  • • Written reports
  • • Oral presentations
  • • Visual displays
  • • Digital portfolios
  • • Performance tasks
  • • Creative projects
  • • Video recordings
  • • Artistic expressions
  • • Problem solutions
  • • Peer teaching
  • • Debates
  • • Exhibitions

Promoting Higher-Order Thinking

Strategies to develop critical thinking, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation skills using Bloom's Taxonomy.

Creating & Evaluating
Highest Level

Key Verbs: Create, design, formulate, plan, compose, invent, judge, critique, evaluate, defend

Questions:

  • "What would happen if...?"
  • "How would you improve...?"
  • "What evidence supports...?"
  • "Design a solution to..."
Analyzing & Applying
Middle Level

Key Verbs: Analyze, compare, contrast, examine, apply, solve, demonstrate, modify

Questions:

  • "What patterns do you see?"
  • "How does this relate to...?"
  • "What might cause...?"
  • "How would you apply...?"

Strategies to Promote Higher-Order Thinking

Questioning Techniques
  • Open-ended questions
  • Socratic questioning
  • Devil's advocate approach
  • What if scenarios
  • Comparison questions
Problem-Based Learning
  • Real-world problems
  • Case studies
  • Inquiry-based tasks
  • Research projects
  • Design challenges
Collaborative Strategies
  • Group discussions
  • Peer review
  • Debate activities
  • Jigsaw method
  • Philosophical chairs

Practical Classroom Techniques

Ready-to-use strategies for immediate implementation in your lessons.

  • Do Now: Silent activity ready on desks
  • Quick Quiz: 5 questions reviewing previous learning
  • Word Association: Connect to lesson topic
  • Picture Prompt: Analyze image, make predictions
  • KWL Chart: What I Know, Want to know, Learned
  • Odd One Out: Identify connections and differences
  • Brain Dump: Write everything you know about topic
  • True or False: Common misconceptions

  • Random Name Generator: Ensure all students participate
  • Mini Whiteboards: All students show answers simultaneously
  • Gallery Walk: Students move around room viewing work
  • Snowball Fight: Throw paper with questions/answers
  • Stand Up/Sit Down: Physical response to questions
  • Four Corners: Move to corner representing your view
  • Human Bar Chart: Physical representation of data
  • Silent Conversation: Written discussion on paper

  • 3-2-1: 3 things learned, 2 questions, 1 connection
  • Exit Pass: Complete sentence before leaving
  • One Minute Paper: Quick reflection on learning
  • Muddiest Point: What's still unclear?
  • Learning Ladder: Show progression of understanding
  • Parking Lot: Post questions for next lesson
  • Fist to Five: Rate understanding on scale
  • Tweet Summary: Learning in 280 characters
Implementation Tips
  • Start small: Introduce one new technique per lesson
  • Be consistent: Repeat techniques so students become familiar
  • Adapt to context: Modify techniques for your subject and students
  • Reflect and adjust: Note what works and refine your approach

Quick Reference Guide

When Students Struggle
  • Break task into smaller steps
  • Provide worked examples
  • Use visual aids and organizers
  • Offer peer support
  • Simplify language
  • Give extra processing time
When Students Excel
  • Provide extension activities
  • Ask higher-order questions
  • Encourage peer mentoring
  • Offer independent projects
  • Connect to real-world applications
  • Introduce leadership roles
Universal Strategies
  • Clear learning objectives
  • Regular formative assessment
  • Varied teaching methods
  • Positive classroom climate
  • Meaningful feedback
  • Student reflection time