DescriptionReciprocal teaching is similar to scaffolding instruction in the way that they both involve an interaction between the student and teacher. This type of instruction involves a teacher-student relationship that models as an expert and apprentice working as one. Through this process the teacher slowly demonstrates their role as the main instructor and allows the student to take the role of a co-instructor through short periods. In this strategy the teacher models what is to happen and motivates their student to use strategies.
Video: The video on the right demonstrates reciprocal teaching in the classroom. The teacher has the students gather in a small reading group. The teacher then gives each student the chance to be a leader for short periods of time as they take the lead. The students take the lead through reading aloud while the rest of the students follow along. The goal is for the students to be able to lead a discussion group on their own. In order for students to understand this process, the teacher demonstrates. This video clearly shows how to make this happen in a guided reading group. It goes through each step and defines what reciprocal teaching is. Pictures: The following two pictures on the right demonstrate two different ways of reciprocal teaching. The picture on the top was chosen because the teacher and student are working together as one. The teacher is the teacher and the student in the co-teacher. The student and teacher take turns being the leaders. Through this process the teacher motivates their student to use different reading strategies while reading. The second picture is a small group reading. In this picture the students are given the chance to read the book aloud. Given this opportunity, the student is getting the short period of time to be a leader in the group. The teacher encourages the students to use strategies such as point to each word as you read. In this picture the student and teacher take turns being the leaders and learning from one another. |
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Content Area Examples1. Mathematics: A way that reciprocal teaching can take place is through the process of small group work. This can take place when students are learning a strategy in how to solve word problems. The students can take turns taking charge and reading the word problems or explaining what strategy they can use to solve it. This would work well with special education students since they are included in with the general education classroom and students. Through the process of small groups these students can get the chance to learn new strategies and gain a deeper mathematical knowledge. This lesson would work well for one individual student in my classroom. The reason why is that this student is able to do word problems on their own, but they are easily distracted. If there is a teacher and group mates working with this child, this child would excel.
2. Engineering: A science lesson that would promote reciprocal teaching is through a hands-on lesson. Such as learning how to protect an egg from breaking if dropped from a high building. This would be a lesson where students work in small groups. The teacher would take the time to work with each group individually and have them take turns being the teacher of the group. They would discuss each step in the engineer process and what should take place for the egg. This would work well for both special education students and my individual student. The reason why is because they would be part of a small group of students working together. This would be helpful for my individual student because this student wouldn't goof around due to the fact that it is not a whole group they are working with. With each student participating and being the leaders of the group, this will help them gain knowledge from one another, become more comfortable doing different tasks, and learn to work together in a group. 3. Literacy: A literacy lesson that would promote reciprocal teaching is small group reading lessons. The teacher would have a group of 4-5 students at a table all reading the same exact book. The students would take turns being leaders and reading the book aloud. They would get the chance to ask and answer questions as a whole rather than the teacher doing this. This way the students are given the chance to learn from one another. This would work well for special education students since they are not be excluded from the general education students. The individual student in my class would work well in this group since there is a teacher near by to keep this student on track. Also this student works well in small group work as well as being a leader. 4. History: A way that reciprocal teaching can take place in history is by having stations setup learning about different periods throughout history. One of the stations the teacher can work with a small group on reading and discussing history. The students will practice taking control and being the leader of the group. This will work well for special education students since they will get that chance to work with their peers who are part of the general education class rather than being pulled out. Based off of one individual student, this would work well for them. The reason why is that this student works well at being a leader. Also, this student does their best learning while in a small group versus whole group learning. |
Resources1. Hallahan, D., Kauffman, J., & Pullen, P. (2015). Learners with Learning Disabilities. In Exceptional learners: An Introduction to Special Education (12th ed., Pearson new international ed., p. 133). Pearson.
2. Students Take Charge: Reciprocal Teaching. (2014, April 15). Retrieved October 4, 2015, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=My68SDGeTHI. |