Action & Expression:
Graduated Supports

As learners work to develop a variety of fluencies (e.g., visual, audio, mathematical, reading, etc.), multiple scaffolds can assist them as they explore, experiment, practice, and develop confidence. Instead of emphasizing the end product, the most valuable learning can take place during the process itself. 

A man playing guitar and reading sheet music

Fluency

When most people hear the word “fluency,” they think of learning languages. If you’re fluent in a language, you can easily communicate, understand, and express ideas in that language without much effort. But fluency extends beyond language—it applies to any subject, skill, or discipline. A fluent mathematician can quickly interpret equations and patterns, just as a fluent musician can instinctively play a song without reading every note. Fluency is about developing automaticity and confidence, allowing learners to focus on higher-level thinking rather than struggling with basic mechanics.

Graduated Supports

We often take primary language learning for granted and undersell the amount of graduated support we received along the way. When you were a baby, adults didn’t speak to you as they would to a college professor. Instead, they exaggerated sounds, used gestures, responded to babbles, and incorporated rhymes and songs to make language accessible. And, importantly, no one expected babies to speak in full sentences immediately—it took time, support, and practice. Learning a new subject or skill follows the same pattern. Students need scaffolding, repeated exposure, and varied opportunities to interact with new concepts before mastery.

A woman teaching a girl how to pronounce a word

To gradually build fluency, consider the following:

Formative assessments

Quick, low-stakes activities like quizzes, reflections, or group discussions to check understanding and adjust instruction. 

Scaffolds that fade over time

Start with guided notes, graphic organizers, worked examples, and sentence starters, then gradually remove them as students gain confidence. 

Multiple modes of learning

Combine lectures with interactive activities, hands-on practice, and multimedia to reinforce concepts from different angles.

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