Which are appropriate and effective scaffolds for teaching rigorous texts?

The choice of activating prior knowledge and explicitly building background knowledge is a crucial scaffold for teaching rigorous texts. This approach helps to bridge the gap between what students already know and the new information they will encounter in the text. By engaging students' prior experiences and knowledge, educators can create a more meaningful context for the material, making it easier for students to comprehend complex ideas and vocabulary. Building background knowledge prepares students to anticipate and understand the themes, concepts, and challenging language they will face, ultimately fostering better engagement and retention of the material.

Effective scaffolding is essential in helping students navigate rigorous texts, as it enhances their reading skills and critical thinking abilities. This method promotes deeper understanding by connecting new information to pre-existing knowledge, allowing students to construct meaning from the text more effectively.