Model the behaviors used in reciprocal teaching so that your students will become comfortable with the process and eventually become proficient. Reciprocal teaching actually involves many different methods of learning which, when used together, provide an effective context for learning. One of the methods, for example, is the use of thinking aloud in order to determine thought processes and what they can tell the students about the learning process. Walk students through several attempts at thinking aloud by first showing them and then helping them to do it before allowing them to do it on their own.
Emphasize collaborative learning through class discussions. Dividing your students into small groups to discuss class material can be an effective method for breaking the ice and getting students actively involved in the learning and reinforcement process. As the instructor, your job is to facilitate discussion by asking open-ended questions and interjecting your own thoughts and opinions when necessary to keep the conversation going. Rather than providing a critical response to each student, encourage the other students to comment by asking them what they think about their classmates' responses.
Create specific roles for the students to fulfill during the classroom discussion. Some proponents of reciprocal learning use a strategy where students are divided up into groups of four, with each having a specific function. Have your students read a specific passage related to the course. One person is expected to summarize the passage, while another raises questions about the passage. These can include questions about where the passage was unclear or even analytical questions that the rest of the group can try to answer. A third person clarifies the passage and answer the questions posed and the fourth person attempts to predict what the author may say next, based on the passage.