Reciprocal Teaching

Definition:

Reciprocal Teaching consists of four comprehension strategies: summarizing, questioning, clarifying, and predicting. The teacher initially models and explains the strategies but gradually students begin to assume responsibility for implementing them.

Steps:

Reciprocal Teaching involves the following steps:

1. Using a textual passage, the teacher points out the title to students and asks for predictions about the content.

2. Students read the passage silently and the student “teacher” asks a question about it, summarizes it and then suggests a prediction.

(The adult teacher can provide guidance by prompting).

3. A small-group discussion of the content continues led by the student “teacher”.

4. The adult teacher provides students feedback about the quality and specificity of questions.

When:

Reciprocal Teaching can be used with story narratives as well as expository textual passages.

Resources:

http://mdk12.org/practices/good_instruction/projectbetter/thinkingskills/ts-68-70.html

Palinscar, A. S., Brown, A. L., Reciprocal teaching of comprehension-fostering and comprehension-monitoring activities. Cognition and Instruction 1, 117-175.

Palinscar, A. S., Brown, A. L., Campione, J. C., First-grade dialogues for knowledge acquisition and use. In E. Forman, N. Minick, and C. A. Stone (Eds.) Contexts for learning: sociocultural dynamics in children’s development. New York: Oxford University Press.

Example:

Because of the specific nature of Reciprocal Teaching, examples of lessons are not available.