A Behind the Scenes Look

at Co-Teaching

Negaunee High School

Co-Teaching StaffOctober 13, 2006

Working Together

“The growth of any craft depends on shared practice and honest

dialogue among the people who do it. We grow by private trial and

error, to be sure -- but our willingness to try, and fail, as individuals is severely limited when we are not supported by a community that encourages such

risks."-- The Courage to Teach; Palmer, 1998, p. 144

“The growth of any craft depends on shared practice and honest

dialogue among the people who do it. We grow by private trial and

error, to be sure -- but our willingness to try, and fail, as individuals is severely limited when we are not supported by a community that encourages such

risks."-- The Courage to Teach; Palmer, 1998, p. 144

What is co-teaching anyway?

» Two or more adults» Simultaneously instructing a heterogeneous group of students

» In a coordinated fashion

» Two or more adults» Simultaneously instructing a heterogeneous group of students

» In a coordinated fashion

What are the benefits of co-teaching?

» Professional Growth» Student Engagement» Behavior Management» Diverse instruction to meet diverse needs

» Meet the needs of ALL students

» Professional Growth» Student Engagement» Behavior Management» Diverse instruction to meet diverse needs

» Meet the needs of ALL students

Selling it to your Administrators…

» NCLB» IEP» 504» At-Risk» Drop-out rates» MEAP/ACT

» NCLB» IEP» 504» At-Risk» Drop-out rates» MEAP/ACT

Does Co-Teaching Really Make a Difference?

80 79

72.5

66.5

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

General Education Students Special Education Students

# General Education Students: 34; # of Special Education Students: 21

3rd Quarter Grades

Co-Taught Applied Biology General Applied Biology

EffectiveCo-teaching

Models

“Collaborative teaching is a service delivery structure in which teachers with different knowledge, skills and talents have joint responsibility for designing, delivering, monitoring and evaluating instruction for a diverse group of

learners in general education classrooms.”

DeBoer & Fister, 1995

Lead and Support Model

Teacher A

Teacher B

Teacher A

Teacher B

» Primary responsibility for planning unit of instruction.

» Shares in delivery, monitoring and evaluation.

» Primary responsibility for planning unit of instruction.

» Shares in delivery, monitoring and evaluation.

Pros and Cons

» Timesaving; especially for specialist

» Timesaving; especially for specialist

» If they are not involved in the planning they may miss important steps

» If they are not involved in the planning they may miss important steps

Duet Model

Teacher A

Teacher B

Teacher A

Teacher B

Both teachers plan and design

instruction. Teachers take turns delivering various components of the

lesson.

Both teachers plan and design

instruction. Teachers take turns delivering various components of the

lesson.

Pros and Cons

» This is the best model for kids.

» Intense professional growth

» No kids slip through the cracks

» This is the best model for kids.

» Intense professional growth

» No kids slip through the cracks

» Enormously time and resource intensive

» Enormously time and resource intensive

Speak and Add/Chart Model

Teacher A

Teacher B

Teacher A

Teacher B

» Primary responsibility for designing and delivering

» Adds and expands with questions rephrasing, anecdotes; recording key information on charts, transparencies or board.

» Primary responsibility for designing and delivering

» Adds and expands with questions rephrasing, anecdotes; recording key information on charts, transparencies or board.

Pros and Cons

» Very little planning time

» Anyone can do this model

» Very little planning time

» Anyone can do this model

» If this is the only model in place, you will be underutilizing SE teacher

» Mistakes can be made

» If this is the only model in place, you will be underutilizing SE teacher

» Mistakes can be made

Skills Group Model

Teacher A

Teacher B

Teacher A

Teacher B

Students are divided into 2-4 groups based

on instructional need. Each teacher

takes primary responsibility for half the group.

Teachers may switch groups occasionally.

Students are divided into 2-4 groups based

on instructional need. Each teacher

takes primary responsibility for half the group.

Teachers may switch groups occasionally.

Pros and Cons

» Provides instruction on the actual levels of students

» Provides instruction on the actual levels of students

» Starts dangerous “tracking”

» Starts dangerous “tracking”

Adapting Model

Teacher A

Teacher B

Teacher A

Teacher B

» Primary responsibility for planning and delivering a unit of instruction.

» Determines and provides adaptations for students who are struggling.

» Primary responsibility for planning and delivering a unit of instruction.

» Determines and provides adaptations for students who are struggling.

Pros and Cons

» No planning time involved

» No planning time involved

» If this is the only model; underutilizing professional

» If this is the only model; underutilizing professional

Station Teaching Model

Teacher A

Teacher B

Teacher A

Teacher B

» Responsible for overall instruction

» Teaches a small group specific skills they have not mastered.

» Responsible for overall instruction

» Teaches a small group specific skills they have not mastered.

Pros and Cons

» Provides intense support for the most needy students

» Provides intense support for the most needy students

» Isolates students

» Isolates students

Learning Style Model

Teacher A

Teacher B

Teacher A

Teacher B

Both teachers share in the design and delivery of

instruction. One teacher is primarily

responsible for auditory and visual

instruction, the other for tactile and kinesthetic instruction.

Both teachers share in the design and delivery of

instruction. One teacher is primarily

responsible for auditory and visual

instruction, the other for tactile and kinesthetic instruction.

Pros and Cons

» Meets the diverse needs of students

» Varies the delivery to meet the needs

» Meets the diverse needs of students

» Varies the delivery to meet the needs

» Lots of planning time involved

» Knowledge of learning styles needed

» Lots of planning time involved

» Knowledge of learning styles needed

Parallel Teaching Model

Teacher A

Teacher B

Teacher A

Teacher B

Both teachers plan and design. The class splits into two

groups. Each teacher takes a group for the entire lesson. This reduces the teacher-student ratio.

Both teachers plan and design. The class splits into two

groups. Each teacher takes a group for the entire lesson. This reduces the teacher-student ratio.

Pros and Cons

» Works well for activities

» Works well for activities

» Both teachers have to have equal expertise

» Both teachers have to have equal expertise

Complementary Instruction Model

Teacher A

Teacher B

Teacher A

Teacher B

» Primary responsibility for delivering core content.

» Primary responsibility for delivering related instruction in the areas of study and survival skills.

» Primary responsibility for delivering core content.

» Primary responsibility for delivering related instruction in the areas of study and survival skills.

Pros and Cons

» Good for related professionals, ie. Speech, OT, PT, Guidance etc.

» Good for related professionals, ie. Speech, OT, PT, Guidance etc.

» If this is the only time in the room, it may feel choppy, disjointed; not enough time to build relationships

» If this is the only time in the room, it may feel choppy, disjointed; not enough time to build relationships

What does Co-teaching look like at

NHS?Co-teaching is the collaboration

between general and special education teachers for all of the teaching responsibilities of all students assigned to a classroom…

In a co-taught classroom, teachers share the planning, presentation, evaluation, and

classroom management in an effort to enhance the learning

environment for all students.” Gately & Gately, 2001.

Mixture of ALL types…

Freshman Program

The object of teaching a child is to enable

him to get along without his teacher. 

~Elbert Hubbard

The object of teaching a child is to enable

him to get along without his teacher. 

~Elbert Hubbard

» Co-Teach all core curriculum areas

» Pre-Algebra, Health, Applied Biology, Communications 1-2

» Directed Studies support

» Co-Teach all core curriculum areas

» Pre-Algebra, Health, Applied Biology, Communications 1-2

» Directed Studies support

Directed Studies

» Credit earning course

» Support for core curriculum areas Health Applied Biology Communications Pre-Algebra

» Credit earning course

» Support for core curriculum areas Health Applied Biology Communications Pre-Algebra

» Special Education Work towards goals and objectives

» Special Education Work towards goals and objectives

Getting Started

» Identify an area of need

» Target population

» Administrative support

» Teachers with open minds

» Identify an area of need

» Target population

» Administrative support

» Teachers with open minds

» Take time to plan

» Involved in planning of master schedule

» Take time to plan

» Involved in planning of master schedule

The way a team decides to decide is one of the most important decisions it makes. Robbins & Finley, 1995

The way a team decides to decide is one of the most important decisions it makes. Robbins & Finley, 1995

Building Relationships» Identify teaching styles

» 3 Stages Beginning Stage: Guarded, careful communication

Compromising Stage: Give and Take; sense of having to give up to get

Collaborating Stage: Open communication and interaction; mutual admiration

» Identify teaching styles

» 3 Stages Beginning Stage: Guarded, careful communication

Compromising Stage: Give and Take; sense of having to give up to get

Collaborating Stage: Open communication and interaction; mutual admiration

» Entry level may be different for each situation--depending on the prior work relationship

» Entry level may be different for each situation--depending on the prior work relationship

Who Should Co-Teach?

Opposites are not contradictory but

complementary.

--Niels Bohr

Opposites are not contradictory but

complementary.

--Niels Bohr

» Complementary Teaching Styles» Tolerance levels» Organizational skills» Interpersonal communication skills

» Trustworthy

» Complementary Teaching Styles» Tolerance levels» Organizational skills» Interpersonal communication skills

» Trustworthy

Applied BiologyThoughts on Co-

teaching

Awaken people's curiosity. It is enough to open minds, do not overload them.

Put there just a spark. --Anatole France

Awaken people's curiosity. It is enough to open minds, do not overload them.

Put there just a spark. --Anatole France

» Effect on… Teaching Style Grading Activities Student Learning

» Overall Feelings

» Effect on… Teaching Style Grading Activities Student Learning

» Overall Feelings

Applied BiologyRole of SE Teacher

» Support instruction in class and in D.S.

» Modify curriculum Students with high need Planning/pace

» Adaptations Notes, PPT, Use of technology

» Accommodations Clean copy, tests read, etc.

» Behavior Management Seating charts, proximity

» Support instruction in class and in D.S.

» Modify curriculum Students with high need Planning/pace

» Adaptations Notes, PPT, Use of technology

» Accommodations Clean copy, tests read, etc.

» Behavior Management Seating charts, proximity

Communication SkillsThoughts on Co-

teachingEffect on….

Teaching Style Grading Activities Student Learning

» Overall Feelings

Effect on…. Teaching Style Grading Activities Student Learning

» Overall Feelings

The secret of teaching is to appear to have known all your

life what you just learned this morning.  ~Author Unknown

The secret of teaching is to appear to have known all your

life what you just learned this morning.  ~Author Unknown

Communication SkillsRole of SE Teacher

» Support instruction in D.S.» Pull out small groups for individual instruction for some material

» Accommodations Use of word processors Reading devices Assessment

» Design/Plan activities

» Support instruction in D.S.» Pull out small groups for individual instruction for some material

» Accommodations Use of word processors Reading devices Assessment

» Design/Plan activities

HealthThoughts on Co-

teaching» Effect on…

Teaching Style Activities Student Learning Grading Support

» Overall Feelings

» Effect on… Teaching Style Activities Student Learning Grading Support

» Overall Feelings

One out of 4 people in this country is mentally imbalanced. Think of your 3 closest friends--if they seem okay, then you’re the

one.--Ann Landers

One out of 4 people in this country is mentally imbalanced. Think of your 3 closest friends--if they seem okay, then you’re the

one.--Ann Landers

HealthRole of SE Teacher

» Support Instruction in D.S.» Modify curriculum

Planning/pace Activities Learning Styles

» Adaptations Notes, PPT, use of technology

» Accommodations Clean copy, tests read, extended time

CR/NC

» Support Instruction in D.S.» Modify curriculum

Planning/pace Activities Learning Styles

» Adaptations Notes, PPT, use of technology

» Accommodations Clean copy, tests read, extended time

CR/NC

Pre-AlgebraThoughts on Co-

teaching» Effect on…

Teaching Style Activities Student Learning Grading Support for Special Needs

» Effect on… Teaching Style Activities Student Learning Grading Support for Special Needs

Teaching is the only major occupation of man for which we

have not yet developed tools that make an average person capable of competence and performance. In

teaching we rely on the “naturals,” the ones who somehow know how to teach.--Peter Drucker

Teaching is the only major occupation of man for which we

have not yet developed tools that make an average person capable of competence and performance. In

teaching we rely on the “naturals,” the ones who somehow know how to teach.--Peter Drucker

Pre-AlgebraRole of SE Teacher

» Support instruction in D.S.

» Adaptations Re-teaching Review activities

» Accommodations Use of calculator, tests read, extended time

» Support instruction in D.S.

» Adaptations Re-teaching Review activities

» Accommodations Use of calculator, tests read, extended time

You don't understand anything until you

learn it more than one way.  ~Marvin Minsky

You don't understand anything until you

learn it more than one way.  ~Marvin Minsky

Planning Time:

How? Where? When?

Obstacles are those frightful things you see

when you take your eyes off your goal.  ~Henry Ford

Making Time

» Prep time is difficult» Hallways, before/after school, lunch, before/after class or down time during class

» Important to have good communication

» Prep time is difficult» Hallways, before/after school, lunch, before/after class or down time during class

» Important to have good communication

Finding Time» Roam Sub Strategy

Cost of 1 substitute per month Pick the same day every month

» ie. 2nd Tuesday Sign-up Sheet Cover for Teacher A opposite Teacher B’s prep and vice versa

» Sub Planning Period Email staff when sub is in building to use during planning period of absent teacher

» Roam Sub Strategy Cost of 1 substitute per month Pick the same day every month

» ie. 2nd Tuesday Sign-up Sheet Cover for Teacher A opposite Teacher B’s prep and vice versa

» Sub Planning Period Email staff when sub is in building to use during planning period of absent teacher

Special Educators--Finding time to Co-teach

AND Manage caseload

» Balancing your schedule Special Education Paperwork Testing, meetings, etc. Co-Teaching Own class load

»Reading»Math»Directed Studies

» Balancing your schedule Special Education Paperwork Testing, meetings, etc. Co-Teaching Own class load

»Reading»Math»Directed Studies

Tips & Tricks:

Activities for all

Classrooms

A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough

people to make it worth the effort.--Herm Albright,

quoted in Reader’s Digest, June 1995

Activities» Vocabulary Cards

Magnets Velcro

» Elements» Fortune Teller» Jeopardy PPT» Interactive CD-Rom

Rainforest Researcher» Online activities

www.mypyramid.gov Webquests

» The Outsiders» The Odyssey

» Vocabulary Cards Magnets Velcro

» Elements» Fortune Teller» Jeopardy PPT» Interactive CD-Rom

Rainforest Researcher» Online activities

www.mypyramid.gov Webquests

» The Outsiders» The Odyssey

» Board Relays Races to complete work at the board

» Jigsaw activities Cooperative learning strategy in which each student learns a component and teachers others

www.unitedstreaming.com

» Board Relays Races to complete work at the board

» Jigsaw activities Cooperative learning strategy in which each student learns a component and teachers others

www.unitedstreaming.com

Thank you!

The dream begins with a teacher who believes in you, who tugs and pushes and leads you to the next plateau, sometimes poking you with a sharp stick

called “truth.”--Dan Rather

The dream begins with a teacher who believes in you, who tugs and pushes and leads you to the next plateau, sometimes poking you with a sharp stick

called “truth.”--Dan Rather

Questions?Contact us @ NHS

475-7861 or www.negaunee.k12.mi.us/

» Sara Van Abel, Resource Room» Sara Van Abel, Resource Room