Scaffolding Supports

A post that Paul Bogush wrote last week continues to resonate with me. How do we reach those kids who experience school as a daily struggle, who are challenged by traditional methods of instruction that utilize a "one size fits all" approach to learning?
We spend a lot of time forcing kids to do things when they are not ready. Their first experience with a great many things is failure. I think teachers believe that it is just part of the process to fail something when you start, and slowly build up to success.
He shared how he helped his daughter learn how to ride her bike, initially holding the bike tightly then gradually reducing the amount of support he provided until support was no longer necessary. Within a short period of time, she felt completely confident and successful. I can envision her beaming with pride at her accomplishment. Paul used that experience to wonder,

Do teachers fall into two groups? One who never let go of their kids, and one that never holds on and lets them fall and expects them to get back up with out any help?

Can you imagine what it must be like to spend seven hours a day, everyday, in a place with people that label you a �D� or an �F,� a loser, a failure. Everyday entering a race and never winning, never even knowing what the race is for or which direction to run? And if you even decided one day to try your best you would still not be labeled a success?

His post emphasizes the importance of providing the right amount of scaffolded support to ensure the success of all the students in our classrooms, especially those who encounter daily struggles.
Over the weekend, I came across this video which perfectly juxtaposes with Paul's post. It is a wonderful example of what happens when we provide the tools necessary to ensure success. We may not identify the tools correctly the first time, but with our encouragement students (or baby squirrels!) may persist in spite of obstacles that seem impossible to overcome.

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