Tool #1: Scaffolding for ELLs Self-Assessment 

Scaffold Familiarity Scale

Determine your level of familiarity with each scaffold listed below by rating them using the following scale: 

  • I am not familiar with this scaffold. 
  • I am familiar with this scaffold but do not regularly use it with ELLs.
  • I regularly use this scaffold with ELLs. 

Administrators can consider the extent to which they see these scaffolds used in the classrooms in their school.

Scaffold Categories

Materials and Resources Scaffolds

  • Graphic Organizers 
  • Visuals 
  • Word banks or word walls 
  • Sentence stems, frames, paragraph frames 
  • Adapted text and/or audio texts 
  • English and/or bilingual glossaries 
  • Supporting materials in home language 

Instruction Scaffolds

  • Repetition and paraphrasing 
  • Modeling activities and ways of thinking 
  • Pre-identified and pre-taught  vocabulary 
  • Concise instruction of background knowledge 
  • Practice academic skills with a non-academic topic 

Student Grouping Scaffolds

  • Structured pair work 
  • Structured small group work (may be teacher led)