How do you scaffold writing skills for high school students?

1 Model writing

One of the best ways to scaffold writing skills for high school students is to model writing for them. This means showing them how you approach a writing task, what strategies you use, and how you solve problems. You can model writing by thinking aloud, using graphic organizers, showing examples, or demonstrating steps. Modeling writing helps students see how writers think, organize, and communicate their ideas.

2 Provide feedback

Another important technique to scaffold writing skills for high school students is to provide feedback on their work. Feedback helps students identify their strengths and weaknesses, improve their performance, and set goals for future improvement. You can provide feedback by using rubrics, checklists, comments, questions, or conferences. Feedback should be timely, specific, constructive, and supportive.

3 Use collaborative writing

Collaborative writing is a technique that involves students working together to produce a text. Collaborative writing can scaffold writing skills for high school students by allowing them to share ideas, learn from each other, and receive peer feedback. You can use collaborative writing by assigning group projects, creating writing workshops, or facilitating peer review sessions. Collaborative writing can also enhance students' motivation, engagement, and social skills.

4 Differentiate instruction

Differentiating instruction is a technique that involves adapting your teaching methods, materials, and activities to meet the diverse needs and abilities of your students. Differentiating instruction can scaffold writing skills for high school students by providing them with appropriate levels of challenge, support, and choice. You can differentiate instruction by using pre-assessments, offering options, modifying tasks, or providing scaffolds.

5 Integrate technology

Technology is a tool that can scaffold writing skills for high school students by enhancing their access, creativity, and collaboration. Technology can help students research, plan, draft, revise, edit, and publish their texts using various digital platforms, tools, and resources. You can integrate technology by using online platforms, software, apps, or multimedia. Technology can also increase students' interest, engagement, and confidence.

6 Teach writing strategies

Writing strategies are specific techniques that help students improve their writing skills and processes. Teaching writing strategies can scaffold writing skills for high school students by empowering them to become independent and self-regulated writers. You can teach writing strategies by explaining, modeling, practicing, and reflecting on them. Some examples of writing strategies are brainstorming, outlining, drafting, revising, editing, and proofreading.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?