Reciprocal Teaching is a collaborative reading comprehension strategy that promotes active engagement and metacognitive skills. Students take turns assuming the role of “teacher” and lead the discussion, guiding their peers through a passage using four comprehension strategies: predicting, questioning, clarifying, and summarizing.

Materials:

• Reading passage (appropriate for grade level and reading ability)
• Graphic organizer or chart for recording predictions, questions,clarifications, and summaries
• Timer (optional)

Procedure:

1. Introduction (5-10 minutes):
   • Introduce the concept of reciprocal teaching and explain the four comprehension strategies:
     1. Predicting: Making informed guesses about what will happen next in the text based on prior knowledge and clues in the text.
     2. Questioning: Asking questions about the text to deepen understanding and clarify confusing points.
     3. Clarifying: Explaining or interpreting unfamiliar words, phrases, or concepts to ensure everyone understands.
     4. Summarizing: Paraphrasing the main ideas and key points of the text to consolidate understanding.
2. Modeling (10-25 minutes):
   • Model the process of reciprocal teaching with a short passage. Demonstrate how to apply each strategy and encourage students to ask questions and provide clarifications.
3. Guided Practice (20-30 minutes):
   • Divide students into small groups of 3-4 and provide each group with a copy of the reading passage and a graphic organizer or chart.
     1. Round 1: Assign each student a specific role (Predictor, Questioner, Clarifier, Summarizer) and have them take turns leading the discussion for a designated section of the text.
     2. Round 2: Switch roles and repeat the process for another section of the text.
     3. Round 3: Allow students to choose their roles and lead the discussion for the entire passage.
4. Reflection and Discussion (10-15 minutes):
   • Bring the class together and engage in a whole-group discussion about the experience. Discuss the effectiveness of each comprehension strategy and how it contributed to understanding the text.

Differentiation:

• Group Size: Vary group sizes to cater to individual needs. Smaller groups may offer more support, while larger groups encourage diverse perspectives.
• Roles: Assign different roles within the group (Summarizer, Clarifier, Questioner, Predictor) based on learning strengths and weaknesses.
• Text Complexity: Select texts at various difficulty levels based on individual reading abilities. Scaffold understanding with graphic organizers or pre-reading discussions.
• Visual Aids: Supplement text with images, diagrams, or timelines to enhance comprehension for visual learners.

Technology Integration: 

• Interactive Whiteboards: Create collaborative reading sessions on an interactive whiteboard, allowing students to annotate, highlight, and share ideas digitally.
• Audio Recordings: Students can record their read-alouds or group discussions for reflection and self-assessment.
• Digital Dictionaries/Thesauruses: Online tools can offer immediate support with vocabulary challenges during reading and discussions.