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All the information, slides, links, and resources for my 2025 teacher convention presentations are included on this website.
I am available to work with school staff groups or leadership groups both in-person and virtually on the topics shown on this website. Contact me at cloke.shelly@gmail.com for prices and availability.
Complexity-Based Instruction:
Unit Planning by Scaffolding Outcomes
This session will explore unit planning based on increased complexity as a way of differentiating learning. We often plan units in a linear fashion, beginning with some review then teaching the outcomes at grade level, but what if we began by teaching concepts at a beginning level and increased the complexity througout the unit? By scaffolding outcomes, students can access learning in their zone of proximal development, engage in productive struggle, and improve their skills rather than becoming overwhelmed and frustrated.
Consider reading levels--students do not become better readers by reading content that is too far above their reading level. They become better readers by being challenged but not to the point of being frustrated.
Scaffolding Outcomes
Scaffolding Deepens Learning!
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Scaffolding Outcomes by Cognitive Complexity
Cognitive Skills are Not 'New'
The Performance Verb Tells Us What Level of Complexity We Will Be Assessing
Science 10 outcomes--what cognitive level are we assessing?
Most common outcome verbs:
describe, identify, explain, analyze, select, apply, use, investigate, and define
Your turn!
What did you notice about how the questions progressed? What changed for each level?
Different Ways to Scaffolded Outcomes
Scaffolding Outcomes Examples
Scaffolding by cognitive complexity
Social Studies 8--fill-in-the-blank booklets followed by experiential learning activities
Scaffolding by cognitive load
Power Writing Paragraphs
Scaffolding Outcomes Practice
Scaffolding by KUSPS
(Knowledge, Skills & Procedures, and Understandings)
Scaffolding Outcomes Templates
So what could that look like in assessments?
The Poetry Test below is based on the new ELAL 6 Curriulum.
The Learning Outcome is at the top and the learning progression is shown through each point on the scale.
I used an existing test I had from last year and adjusted the questions to scaffold the learning progression--this way I can see where students are at in their learning. Note this test is copied on larger paper like legal or 11x17 size, so the student's copy is not actually this tiny.
Social Studies Assessment
Download examples or use the template to make your own!
See links below...
Math example: Divisibility (Grade 7)
**Question Guide**
Prompts for Making Scaffolded Questions
English Languange Arts Example (Grade 7)
Reading Comprehension for A Monster Calls novel
**Templates and Examples**
Grade 8 Math Scaffolded Assessment:
A Case Study
Benefits of Scaffolding Outcomes:
Students
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see what skills they have mastered and where they are already successful rather than just getting questions wrong and feeling unsuccessful
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can get a stronger sense of where they are at in their learning
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can see where their learning is headed and what they need to master to get to the next level
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can target their improvements and use feedback
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persist in attempting and mastering outcomes; feeling less overwhelmed and frustrated
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experience deeper and more complex learning
Teachers
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can see where students are at in the learning progression and see where they can target extra practice or what foundational skills need to be developed
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are better able to show parents where a students is at in their learning
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develop a better understanding of the outcomes and the skills needed to master the outcomes
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have a platform to discuss What is Meeting? with their partner teachers which enriches their understanding of outcomes and achieve more consistency with learning expectations
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can explicitly teach the more complex and abstract cognitive skills​
Summary
1. Scaffolding outcomes helps us see where students are at in their learning
2. Start with the outcome and examine the performance verb. Determine the level of complexity
3. Use a template to scaffold the unit outcomes.
4. Decide how you will scaffolded--cognitive complexity, cognitive load, prerequisite skills, etc.
5. Work with grade or subject area partners to have the discussion--what is Meeting? What is Excelling? What is Approaching? Sometimes the discussion is the best part of designing a scaffolded assessment
6. Share your experiences with me! I love to get examples or questions--each time I learn something new and get new ideas! Send to cloke.shelly@gmail.com
Need a break? If you've made it this far, you deserve some memes...
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