Running head: CAPSTONE-LITERATURE REVIEW DOMAIN B 1

Literature Review

Trisha Carroll-Andersen

National University
CAPSTONE-LITERATURE REVIEW DOMAIN B 2

Abstract

The following is a literature review on the educational article 6 Scaffolding Strategies to Use

With Your Students written by Rebecca Alber. I briefly discuss the authors six scaffolding

strategies and how the strategies connect to Domain B of my PDQP.

CAPSTONE-LITERATURE REVIEW DOMAIN B 3

Literature Review

The article 6 Scaffolding Strategies to Use With Your Students written by Rebecca Alber

gives great insight into how to properly scaffold a lesson for diverse learners. As stated by Alber

(2014), Scaffolding is breaking up the learning into chunks and then providing a tool, or

structure, with each chunk. When scaffolding reading, for example, you might preview the text

and discuss key vocabulary, or chunk the text and then read and discuss as you go (Retrieved

from https://www.edutopia.org/blog/scaffolding-lessons-six-strategies-rebecca-alber). Alber

explains the difference between scaffolding and differentiation. The author then lays out several

scaffolding activities that help with teaching diverse learners.

Teachers Reflection

The author explains why teachers must scaffold a lesson and the importance of

scaffolding a lesson for all of our different learners. The author not only gives examples of how

to scaffold a lesson, but she also explains the reasoning behind each strategy. The first strategy

the author explains is the show and tell strategy. Alber explains (2014), Modeling for students is

a cornerstone of scaffolding, in my experience. Have you ever interrupted someone with Just

show me! while they were in the middle of explaining how to do something? (Retrieved from

https://www.edutopia.org/blog/scaffolding-lessons-six-strategies-rebecca-alber). The author

continues by explaining different strategies including the fishbowl strategy and think alouds.

This made me reflect on how introduce my lessons and how I can better introduce a topic. The

fishbowl is something that I have used in the past and I plan on using in the future. The fishbowl

strategy is a great way for students to watch as the teacher models a lesson.

The next two strategies the author addresses are tapping into prior knowledge and giving

time to talk. The author puts much emphasis on students talking to one another and using
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cooperative learning strategies. Alber states(2014), If you arent weaving in think-pair-share,

turn-and-talk, triad teams, or some other structured talking time throughout the lesson, you

should begin including this crucial strategy on a regular basis (Retrieved from

https://www.edutopia.org/blog/scaffolding-lessons-six-strategies-rebecca-alber). Cooperative

learning strategies are an important tool in my classroom and I agree with the author that they are

needed to reach all of our diverse learners.

The next strategies the author addresses are the front loading of vocabulary and using

visual aids to assist students learning. The author describes the importance of reviewing

vocabulary before reading a specific text. Alber further explains that using pictures and

discussing the words meaning is of utmost importance. The author continues rationalizing why it

is important to use visual aids, including graphic organizers and anchor charts. Alber

states(2014), A graphic organizer shouldnt be The Product but rather a scaffolding tool that

helps guide and shape the students thinking (Retrieved from

https://www.edutopia.org/blog/scaffolding-lessons-six-strategies-rebecca-alber). I use graphic

organizers in my classroom for most lessons and they are especially helpful for writing

assignments. I also create anchor charts and display them for students to refer to throughout the

lesson. I have found both graphic organizers and anchor charts to be useful to reach all of my

different learners.

The authors final strategy is to check for understanding. The best piece of advice that the

author provided was(2014), Even great questions fail if we dont give think time for responses,

so hold out during that Uncomfortable Silence (Retrieved from

https://www.edutopia.org/blog/scaffolding-lessons-six-strategies-rebecca-alber). This is a great

strategy and the author made an excellent point. I am guilty of moving too quickly or answering
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for the student. This was a great reflection for me to remember its okay if students pause and

think without a quick response.

Conclusion

This was an excellent article and very clearly written. The author made excellent points

and I enjoyed reading though all six of the scaffolding methods. Not only was the article

informative, but I was also able to reflect on my own lessons and how I scaffold those lessons.
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Reference

Alber, R. (2014, January 24th). 6 Scaffolding Strategies to Use With Your Students. Retrieved

from https://www.edutopia.org/blog/scaffolding-lessons-six-strategies-rebecca-alber.