Full Answer Section

Piaget’s theory could be used to support Alex by providing him with opportunities to assimilate and accommodate new information in his reading instruction. For example, teachers could provide Alex with graphic organizers to help him identify the main idea and supporting details of a passage. They could also have Alex complete activities that require him to think critically about what he has read, such as making predictions, drawing inferences, and forming conclusions.

Vygotsky’s developmental theory

Vygotsky’s developmental theory emphasizes the importance of social interaction in learning. Vygotsky believed that children learn best in a zone of proximal development (ZPD). The ZPD is the range of tasks that a child cannot complete independently but can complete with the assistance of a more skilled peer or adult.

Vygotsky’s theory could be used to support Alex by providing him with opportunities to collaborate with peers and adults during his reading instruction. For example, teachers could pair Alex with a more skilled reader to read together and discuss the text. They could also have Alex participate in guided reading groups, where the teacher provides scaffolding and support to help students understand the text.

Which theory provides the most appropriate support for Alex?

Both Piaget’s and Vygotsky’s developmental theories provide valuable insights into how children learn. However, Vygotsky’s theory is likely to be more appropriate for supporting Alex because it emphasizes the importance of social interaction in learning. Alex is struggling with reading comprehension, which is a complex task that requires the ability to think critically and to make connections between different ideas. Vygotsky’s theory suggests that Alex is most likely to learn best when he is collaborating with peers and adults who can provide him with scaffolding and support.

Here are some specific ways that Vygotsky’s theory could be used to support Alex in the classroom:

• Pair Alex with a more skilled reader during reading instruction.
• Have Alex participate in guided reading groups.
• Provide Alex with opportunities to discuss what he has read with peers and adults.
• Use graphic organizers and other scaffolding tools to help Alex identify the main idea and supporting details of a passage.
• Engage Alex in activities that require him to think critically about what he has read, such as making predictions, drawing inferences, and forming conclusions.

By providing Alex with opportunities to learn in a social setting and by providing him with scaffolding and support, teachers can help him to overcome his struggle with reading comprehension.