Which of the following best describes reciprocal teaching?

• A. It emphasizes independent reading skills
• B. Students learn to teach and discuss in small groups
• C. Only one teacher leads the discussion at all times
• D. It focuses on memorization of texts

Answer: (B)

Reciprocal teaching is an instructional strategy that involves students taking on the role of teacher in small group discussions. This method is designed to improve comprehension through a collaborative approach, where students engage with each other by discussing the content of a text. In this setting, students practice four key strategies: predicting, questioning, clarifying, and summarizing, which enhance their understanding while fostering skills for leading discussions and teaching their peers.

The focus on collaboration and peer-led learning is what sets reciprocal teaching apart from methods that emphasize independent or solitary reading skills. Additionally, it does not involve a single teacher leading the discussion at all times, as students actively share the responsibilities of guiding the conversation. Memorization of texts is also not a core component of reciprocal teaching; rather, the emphasis is on developing deep comprehension through interactive dialogue. This makes option B the best description of reciprocal teaching.