The scaffolded teacher - Thinking tools and scaffolding for success

Check out the Unlimited Learning Space blog here.

I have always focussed on creating an independent learning environment for my students and thinking tools and learning contracts have always been the way I achieve depth of learning and student engagement. Having recently completed a Post Graduate in TESSOL,  I developed an interest in strategies that scaffold students to acquire language successfully and I merged all these areas together to when I set up an "Unlimited Learning Space" at Henderson Valley. 

A classroom where we removed some of the limits to learning. Students were encouraged to develop a more independent approach to gaining knowledge and creating solutions, as they managed their time and resources through a learning contract. Tasks and activities were planned to promote critical thinking and a deeper level of understanding. 

Five classes benefited from being in the space and now the teachers, having received this valuable 1 to 1 in-class professional development, are using similar approaches within their own classrooms to get students to think deeply, critically and reflect on their learning.