Scaffolding Strategies to Use With Students: The JP RSN Interactive Newsletter for June 16, 2011

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JP Associates RSN Newsletter for June 16, 2011

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Scaffolding Strategies to Try

Have you tried these scaffolding techniques in your classroom? Check out these six strategies we ran across form edutopia.org and then tell us what you think about them.

1. Show and Tell

The cornerstone of scaffolding is modeling for students. Every opportunity you have, show or demonstrate to students exactly what your expectations of them are. The key to this is to always show students the outcome before they do it.

2. Tap into Prior Knowledge

Ask students to share what they know about the content or concept you are studying, what they have experienced about it or what their ideas are. Although you may have to lead them to connections, they will easily grasp the concept when they get there.

3. Give Time to Talk

Learners need time to make sense of what they are learning and to articulate with other learners going through the same experience. Furthermore, structured discussions work well with kids irregardless of their maturity level. Giving time to talk is a crucial strategy to incorporate on a regular basis.

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The 2011 JP Institute for Excellence in Education

Featuring Acclaimed Keynote Speaker Dr. Anita Archer

Active Participation: Getting Them All Engaged

Do you have students who are not attending or participating during your lessons? In this session, Dr. Archer will present research validated procedures for actively involving ALL students in instruction including the use of verbal responses, written responses, and action responses. In addition procedures for involving all students in the reading of classroom materials will be presented. Procedures will be explained, demonstrated, and practiced. Examples will represent a variety of courses and age levels. Participants will also analyze the best practices demonstrated in videos.

Dr. Anita Archer serves as an educational consultant to state departments, county agencies, and school districts on explicit instruction and literacy instruction. She has taught elementary and middle school students and is the recipient of ten Outstanding Educator awards.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE COMPLETE 2011 INSTITUTE GUIDE AND RESERVE YOUR SEAT AT THE LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE OF THE YEAR!

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Facebook's Educational Read the article, then click the link at the bottom to join the discussion in the RSN Forums!

University of California professor Mimi Ito just finished a three-year study about digital media use among youth. Can you guess what she found?

She found that social networks and other Internet groups open brand new realms of learning that schools have traditionally failed to explore. She also found that time online is highly important to a teenager's development.

"Facebook is the biggest educational property we have in kids' lives now," said Ito. "I'm not saying it's educational in the way you want it to be. I'm just saying it's where they are doing most of their learning."

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"School reform is very important to me, and this session and the discussion that ensued was very helpful."

Quote from principal participating in JP's 2010 Institute for Excellence in Education

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What people are saying about JP's Institute for Excellence in Education...

"I have actually attended the past 5 years and will attend again this year. I have learned everything from implementation of the program to brain research! The Institute is always very informative but the best part to me is the celebration of successes and the absolute urgency JP has for improving student achievement. You may attend a variety of sessions during the institute but the underlying focus will always be on student achievement."

- Tricia Johnson

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Hamburg School District

JP Partner School for 7 years

Scaffolding Strategies (continued)

4. Pre-Teach Vocabulary

Instead of sending kids on their merry way into a new subject, introduce new vocabulary to them in a way that will allow them to become interested. Using analogies, metaphors, photos, symbols and drawings are a handful of ways to "frontload" their vocabulary so you can avoid the disinterest of challenging text.

5. Use Visual Aides

Visual aides such as graphic organizers, pictures and charts are invaluable scaffolding tools. They help students visually represent their ideas, organize the information they are learning and grasp concepts.

6. Pause, Ask Questions, Pause, Review

Use this strategy as a tool for checking the level of understanding going on in your students. Simple to implement, share a new idea from discussion or reading, pause to give them think time, ask a strategic question, then pause again. This will keep kids engaged as active listeners and allow you to see where they are at in their understanding of the material.

Have you tried these scaffolding techniques before? Do you have another one you could share with us? We always want to hear how you feel about the topics and articles in the RSN Newsletter. We'd love to hear your opinion on this topic!

Send your thoughts to rsn@jponline.com or post them in the Leadership forum in the Responsive School Network™.

Click here to read the original article.

Facebook's Educational Value (continued)

The problem, according to Ito, is that teens are facing fragmented learning environments. Although kids generally have access to cell phones or computers, they don't always interact with adults who can mentor them on the best way to take advantage of these technologies. Children coming from middle-class families tend to be more connected with online communities that enhance their interests vs. children from disadvantaged communities, who lack mentors pointing them to online groups that can help develop their talents.

Ito feels it is important for parents and educators to realize most of the learning today is not necessarily from the classroom. More and more learning is occurring through online communication and information access. For example, most people Google a topic rather than go to the library to look it up.

This is a topic that is only going to expand with time. Have you ever thought about the impact of the Internet and social networking on your students' education? What is your experience with social media? Please share your thoughts with us by clicking the engage button below - we want to hear what you think!

Click here to read the original article.