Scaffolding Language, Scaffolding Learning: Teaching Second Language Learners in the Mainstream Classroom

I recommend this book to anyone interested in receiving a multititude of practical ideas for the classroom, supported by the latest research in the field of ESL.

If you are a teacher, you know there are a lot of crappy teacher "resources" out there. This book is NOT one of them. I bought it as a requirement for a class and devoured it in a couple of days. As other reviewers have stated, it's great because it talks about the theories behind learning a second language through content in the classroom, but it doesn't go so in-depth as to bore you to death. Gibbons also has a great balance between talking about the theories behind her work and giving teachers concrete examples and activities to try out on our own. If you follow the SIOP method (or are trying to) this book supports much of the content of the SIOP book, but in more accessible language and organization. This book covers teaching speaking, writing, reading, and listening to ESL students, in homogeneous groups as well as in an integrated classrooms of native and non-native speakers. It also made me aware of aspects of my teaching that can either facilitate language learning or create a roadblock for ESL students. Overall, great book!

This book was recommended to me as a good resource for preparing for National Board Certification in the area of English as a New Language. I found the book to be easy to follow and informative. It provides suggested activities that are applicable to various grades at the elementary level. My students enjoyed several lessons based on suggestions from this book. [...]

So many books on teaching are either all theory or collections of activities loosely connected by a theme. This book explains and illustrates reasearch on second language learning while at the same time describing and explaining numerous activities that put that research into action. I disagree with the person who wrote, "I've seen better." This is a high quality, useful book (Although, I'd be happy to read at anything people think is better).