Reciprocal Teaching Update/Review

So the five weeks is up!  Reciprocal Teaching has been very beneficial!  The overall feeling and attitude towards it from my tamariki is hugely positive.

At the end of the the five weeks the tamariki were once again 'tested' by Roz and Ana using Probe running records.  The data collected from this showed that the majority of the class improved their comprehension percentage and several moved up a reading level.  There were of course children who made no progress according to their reading level but confidence, attitude and participation across the board increased.

From a teacher point of view the five week intensive with every group being taught for 30 mins every day, for four days, with the assistance of another 'teacher' and teacher aide all using the Reciprocal Teaching approach (Julia Westenra) has indeed improved the comprehension levels of my tamariki.

However since the intensive took place I am now back to teaching by myself, under timetable constrictions, with five reading groups.  I am still using the Reciprocal Teaching approach as I can clearly see the benefits of the four main skills used to facilitate the learning and comprehension.

Hence the lessons are now modified to manage all these factors.  We are still using the 'Tokotoko' and working through the process but often we stop at questioning due to time constraints.  We also do not get through as much of the text - often only one or two paragraphs/pages per group depending on the groups reading level.  This can be disheartening for the tamariki as the "never get to finish the text" together but do so independently.  Each groups learning needs are identified and the next learning 'skill' becomes the focus of the teaching e.g. we may only 'do clarifying' or only 'do questioning' and break these skills down in order for the children to be successful in using them.

As a syndicate we discussed the Pros and Cons of the R.T intensive.  Amber (the other intensive class teacher) and I along with Roz, Ana and Robyn Harawira (RTLB) also meet to evaluate the teaching and learning achieved during the intensive.  The korero from this meeting was then shared with Julia Westenra.

In conclusion ... I believe that the five week intensive of Reciprocal Teaching was indeed worthwhile and beneficial.  For use in the future I would recommend using the intensive model initially at the end of term one.  Intensives after that point will depend on the results from the before and after data and also the schools  strategic goals for the year.

I have thoroughly enjoyed learning how to use Reciprocal Teaching effectively in my classroom.  But most of all the response from the tamariki was fantastic!  The smiles, pride and confidence they displayed when taking on the teacher role is definitely my highlight!