'The relationship of reciprocal teaching to REALs is founded on three theoretical principles based on the work of Vygotsky (1978) as described by Palincsar and Klenk (1992). The first principle states that the higher cognitive processes originate from social interactions. This is consistent with the constructivist theories described above. The second principle is Vygotsky's zone of proximal development (ZPD). Vygotsky (p. 86) described the ZPD as "the distance between the actual developmental level as determined by independent problem solving and the level of potential development as determined through problem solving under adult guidance, or in collaboration with more capable peers." Reciprocal teaching is designed to provide a zone of proximal development in which students, with the help of teachers and peers, take on greater responsibility for learning activities. Finally, Vygotsky's third principle advocates that learning take place in a contexualized, holistic activity that has relevance for the learners. In other words, we revisit the notion of authentic learning or anchored instruction.