What is Reciprocal Teaching?

Reciprocal Teaching
What is it?

Reciprocal teaching is based on four strategies: summarizing, questioning, clarifying, and predicting. The process promotes the exchange of roles between the teacher and the student as a means of better reading comprehension. Students learn to “think about their thinking”. 

Steps to Reciprocal Teaching:

1. Select a well-structured text selection for the exercise. Distribute copies of the selection to the class.
2. Explain the four reading skills that you will demonstrate: summarizing, questioning, clarifying, and predicting.
3. Model each of these skills by analyzing the first paragraph of the document.
4. Divide the class into small groups. Assign each student in the groups one of the remaining paragraphs. Have the student "teach" the four reading skills to the group, using their assigned paragraph.
5. Encourage discussion within the groups both during and after the student presentations. Ask students to identify the skills that were most and least effectively used.

Palincsar and Brown (1984) argue that Reciprocal Teaching should always train students in . . .

1. Predicting upcoming information.
2. Asking questions.
3. Identifying and clarifying confusing information.
4. Summarizing as a means of self-review.

I am pleased to share with you Teaching in Action as we highlight Lydia Davis from Imagine School at Evening Rose using Reciprocal teaching with her fifth graders!

Looking to read more about Reciprocal Teaching? Checking out this great article found in Reading Rockets:
http://www.readingrockets.org/strategies/reciprocal_teaching

Willpower!

When do you exert your willpower?

Maybe you resist the temptation to eat another cookie or send a text message while driving.

Studies show that childhood willpower may predict willpower in adult life — particularly when it comes to emotional situations.

Walter Mischel’s famous marshmallow test
The value of self control was captured in psychologist Walter Mischel’s 1970 famous test. Mischel placed preschoolers in front of a marshmallow and gave them a choice: they could eat it right away, or wait 15 minutes and get second one.
Despite the obvious benefit, two thirds of the children devoured the first marshmallow within a few minutes. Meanwhile, those who delayed their gratification were more likely, as teenagers, to have stronger self control, handle stress more effectively, and even score higher on the SAT.
40 years after the marshmallow test....
In 2011, B.J. Casey at Cornell University assessed willpower in nearly 60 people from Mischel’s original study. They found that participants with higher self control as children still exhibited higher self control as adults. And those who couldn’t wait for the second marshmallow — over 40 years ago — still had lower self control.

Research suggests that willpower is like a muscle. It gets fatigued when exercised — but also may get stronger the more you use it. Some researchers have found that just 2 weeks of willpower training can result in improved performance on self control assessments. This is why most diets are hardest in the first two weeks and why classroom management is hardest the first two weeks ....ahhhh it all makes senses now..... why I might share this with you...... Teachers YOU have WILLPOWER to persevere!

There is still much study to be done of the reasons behind willpower. But next time you find yourself short on self control, especially in emotional situations, remember that you can always find ways to improve. You’re always stronger than you think.

Sparkle in the Classroom!

Many of you became teachers to make a difference in student lives. 

While we must fill our lesson plans with standards and best practices, don't ever let that dull your sparkle.

THINK: Take a minute to reflect on a time when you were a student, specifically think back to your favorite teacher. what did he or she do to keep you engaged in content? I remember my third grade teacher played the piano, for everything! She would make songs up that went with content or simply sing songs for transitions. Her passion showed through her talents, and she quickly became one of my most memorable teachers!

ACT: Let's break down how to SPARKLE in your classroom!

Set the stage for excitement!

Pique student curiosity!

Act! You are on center stage, perform

Respond to your audience!

Kick it up a notch!

LOVE it!!!!

Engage every learning style. Differentiating instruction goes beyond

DO: find new ways to hook students! Engage them or wake them up! You don't have to learn to play an instrument to make learning fun! Looking for some new techniques? click here: check this out

Check out our Teaching Tips for more information!!!!