Reciprocal Teaching

Overview

Students deepen their understanding and gain confidence in their learning when they explain to and receive feedback from others. Research has shown that students can develop their math skills and their Social Awareness & Relationship Skills by taking on the roles of coach and player as they explore math concepts and problems with a partner.

Use It in the Classroom

Watch how these fifth graders use reciprocal teaching to solve word problems. By following the structured process, they build their Mathematical Flexibility and Math Communication.

Teachers can provide structured stages (e.g., Peer-Assisted Learning Strategies or PALS) to support students teaching each other. Teachers can also add specific steps to support comprehending and solving math word problems, such as predicting, clarifying, questioning, visualising, connecting, calculating and summarizing. Working with a partner through these stages also offers support for a student's Speed of Processing and Working Memory and developing math vocabulary and reading comprehension.

Design It into Your Product

Digital tools can provide more reciprocal teachers and learners for students beyond their classroom walls. Digital products can also provide tools for helping students learn how to generate strong questions and to reflect on their experiences with reciprocal teaching.

View References

Resources

Below are additional examples, research, and professional development. These resources are possible representations of this strategy, not endorsements.

Examples

Developing Behaviors for Cooperative Learning

Module by Sanford Inspire

Examples

Flexible Daily Small Group Instruction

Resource on The Learning Accelerator

Examples

PALS Brief

Detailed description of PALS with important considerations for teachers

Examples

Reciprocal Teaching Prezi

Presentation about reciprocal teaching including history, research, and strategies

Examples

Video of Practical Tips

Overview of how to implement reciprocal teaching

Examples

Word Problems with Reciprocal Teaching

Example of a peer-assisted process for solving word problems

Research

Feedback & Peer Assessment

Subtopic that explores research on the effects of quality, type, and source of feedback on student learning on Digital Promise's Research Map

Research

Learning Communities

Subtopic that includes research on communities of learners on Digital Promise's Research Map

Research

Motivation & Autonomy

Subtopic that explores how and why students are motivated to learn on Digital Promise's Research Map

Factors Supported by this Strategy

Mathematics

Arithmetic Fact Retrieval

Math Communication

Mathematical Flexibility

Cognition

Student Background

Math Learning Environment

Physical Well-being

Safety

Sleep

More Cooperative Learning Strategies

Collaborative Problem Solving

As students solve problems in a group, they learn new strategies and practice communicating their mathematical thinking.

Gallery Walk

As students walk through stations working in small groups, the social and physical nature of the learning supports deeper understanding.

Jigsaw

As students work with and process information by discussing, organizing, and sharing it together, they deepen their understanding.

Math Talks

When students have meaningful conversations about math and use math vocabulary, they develop the thinking, questioning, and explanation skills needed to master mathematical concepts.

Peer Teaching

Having students teach their knowledge, skills, and understanding to their classmates strengthens learning.

Think-Pair-Share

Students deepen their math understanding as they use and hear others use specific math language in informal ways.

Math 3-6

Reciprocal Teaching

Overview

Use It in the Classroom

Design It into Your Product

Resources

Factors Supported by this Strategy

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