February 2001 Using Co-Teaching

Using Co-Teaching in the Classroom

Melanie MacInnisFebruary, 2001

February 2001 Using Co-Teaching

Overview

Introduction Roles and Responsibilities

ConsPros

Source

February 2001 Using Co-Teaching

• In 1997, Walther-Thomas conducted a study of 25 schools which were implementing co-teaching over a three-year period.

• Paticipants noted that students with disabilities became – less critical– more motivated– more skilled in recognizing their own strengths– and their social skills improved.

Introduction

February 2001 Using Co-Teaching

Co-Teaching Roles and Responsibilities

• The teaching team will:– plan and teach together– develop instructional accommdations– monitor and evaluate student

performance– communicate student progress to

others

February 2001 Using Co-Teaching

Four variations of co-teaching

• Each of these variations will appear in the effective co-teaching classroom.– Interactive– Parallel– Alternative– Station

February 2001 Using Co-Teaching

Interactive Co-Teaching

• Calls for the team ot alternate the instructional lead every 5 to 15 minutes

• Teachers work together to support, clarify and extend each other’s efforts

• ask clarifying questions• rephrasing concepts or assigned tasks• monitor behavour• supervise practice• modeling, role plays, demostrations

February 2001 Using Co-Teaching

Parallel Co-Teaching

• the class is divided into two mixed-ability groups.

• teachers work with one group and both cover the same content/skills

• allows for closer monitoring, higher levels of student response, less intimidating for students

February 2001 Using Co-Teaching

Station Co-Teaching

• Students rotate through stations set up around the class

• teachers work simultaneously, presenting or reviewing new content, supervising practice, or testing student skills

February 2001 Using Co-Teaching

Alternative Co-Teaching

• One teacher works with a small, strategically-constituted group to work on specific skills, concepts, or projects

• groups are short-term• of particular impact with students who

have missed instuction• also useful for extension or enrichment

projects

February 2001 Using Co-Teaching

Co-Teaching Pluses

• Promotes role/content sharing• provides clarification (e.g. concepts, rules,

vocabulary)• encourages cooperation• allows strategic grouping• reduces student-teacher ratio• offers time to develop missing skills

February 2001 Using Co-Teaching

Co-teaching Minuses

• may be job-sharing, not learning enriching

• requires considerable planning and preparation

• increases noise level• may be difficult to coordinate• requires monitoring of partner’s pacing

February 2001 Using Co-Teaching

Want to know more?

• Setting up an effective co-teaching team takes lots of time, energy and administrative support.

• For a closer look at Co-Teaching, refer to:

• Walther-Thomas, Kerrik,McLaughlan, Williams. “Meeting Student Needs Through Co-

Teaching.” Collaboration for Inclusive Learning. Allyn & Bacon, pgs 183-209.