Do’s and Don’ts of Reciprocal Teaching

Oct 20, 2010 by Annemarie

• There is no one right way to teach reciprocal teaching or one right order in which to introduce the steps.
• Before students can use the four strategies simultaneously, they will need practice with each individual strategy.
• Teaching one strategy alone can be a good comprehension mini-lesson, but it is not reciprocal teaching.  Reciprocal teaching involves using ALL four strategies simultaneously for the purpose of constructing meaning.
• Reciprocal teaching was designed as an interactive discussion technique.  Refrain from the temptation of having students complete the strategies in worksheet form.
• Corrective feedback is crucial to the success of reciprocal teaching.
• Reciprocal teaching alone is not enough to constitute a comprehensive reading program.  It is just one tool. Students need exposure to other comprehension strategies.