Peer Practice/Reciprocal Learning Lesson
Peer Practice/Reciprocal Learning Lesson
The Reciprocal Learning Strategy is a “unique partnership that is forged between pairs of students working together to practice previously presented skills and information, to increase reading comprehension of information-rich texts, and to develop the thinking processes needed to become competent problem solvers” (Silver, Hanson, Strong, & Schwartz, 2003, p.200). "The purpose of reciprocal teaching is to facilitate a group effort between teacher and students as well as among students in the task of bringing meaning to the text” (Palincsar, 1986). In the following paragraphs, I will describe a lesson using the Reciprocal Learning Strategy. Through this lesson, students will “increase their power of learning by doing and coaching” (Laureate Education, 1996).
My fifth grade language arts lesson will be a practice on subject and verb agreement in sentences. I will begin the lesson by having four sentences written on the board. Students will have to choose the correct verb to complete each sentence as a warm-up activity. Students will then be put into pairs. The students will be participating in two separate roles; learner and coach. Using a worksheet, the learner will choose a verb to complete six sentences. The coach will use an answer sheet to determine if the learner’s answers are correct or incorrect. The coach will give hints but not answers. After the learner has completed the activity, the learner will swap roles with the coach and repeat the process.
Following the activity, discuss with students what they liked about their partnerships. Discuss what they found to be helpful and positive in working with a partner. By practicing the Reciprocal Learning Strategy, students will develop skills necessary for helping relationships, learn how to be conscientious listeners, how to give constructive feedback, and develop tolerance and the ability to give praise (Silver, Hanson, Strong, & Schwartz, 2003).
References
The Reciprocal Learning Strategy is a “unique partnership that is forged between pairs of students working together to practice previously presented skills and information, to increase reading comprehension of information-rich texts, and to develop the thinking processes needed to become competent problem solvers” (Silver, Hanson, Strong, & Schwartz, 2003, p.200). "The purpose of reciprocal teaching is to facilitate a group effort between teacher and students as well as among students in the task of bringing meaning to the text” (Palincsar, 1986). In the following paragraphs, I will describe a lesson using the Reciprocal Learning Strategy. Through this lesson, students will “increase their power of learning by doing and coaching” (Laureate Education, 1996).
My fifth grade language arts lesson will be a practice on subject and verb agreement in sentences. I will begin the lesson by having four sentences written on the board. Students will have to choose the correct verb to complete each sentence as a warm-up activity. Students will then be put into pairs. The students will be participating in two separate roles; learner and coach. Using a worksheet, the learner will choose a verb to complete six sentences. The coach will use an answer sheet to determine if the learner’s answers are correct or incorrect. The coach will give hints but not answers. After the learner has completed the activity, the learner will swap roles with the coach and repeat the process.
Following the activity, discuss with students what they liked about their partnerships. Discuss what they found to be helpful and positive in working with a partner. By practicing the Reciprocal Learning Strategy, students will develop skills necessary for helping relationships, learn how to be conscientious listeners, how to give constructive feedback, and develop tolerance and the ability to give praise (Silver, Hanson, Strong, & Schwartz, 2003).
References
References: Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (1996). Building your repertoire of teaching strategies.Video twelve [Video recording]. Los Angeles: Author. Palincsar, A.S. (1986). "Reciprocal Teaching." In Teaching Reading as Thinking. Oak Brook, IL: North Central Regional Educational Laboratory. Retrieved from: http://www.umich.edu/~csie/undergraduate/reciprocal.html. Silver, H. F., Hanson, J. R., Strong, R. W., & Schwartz, P. B. (2003). Teaching styles & strategies. Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ: The Thoughtful Education Press.