So What is This Co-Teaching Model?
“Just When You Think You Know the Answers, I Change the Questions”
Make Your School Awesome Staff
April 27, 2021
If you enjoyed watching the camaraderie and teamwork between two professional wrestlers during the glorious 1980’s WWF matches, then you understand the basic foundation of co-teaching!
“Tag me in partner,” that’s right, true teamwork and an almost synchronized rhythmic flow between two educators. They provide instruction while assisting students simultaneously to achieve one goal.... to teach the ultimate lesson!
So what is Co-Teaching? For vocabulary purposes, co-teaching can be described as when a general education teacher and a special education teacher join together to plan and deliver instruction to a diverse population in a general education setting.
Today we will discuss three of the six methods used in co-teaching. You are probably somewhat familiar with some of these methods and just did not realize that they had a name.
Here are the basic three we will discuss.
1. One Teach, One Observe
To explain the basics of this method simply, one teacher would take the primary role of providing traditional instruction. In contrast, the second teacher would circulate the room, giving assistance when needed.
2. Parallel Teaching
I can’t help but visualize a gymnast swinging on the parallel bars right down the middle! You guessed it; the two teachers would strategically divide the class equally. Students would be placed or grouped so optimal instruction could be provided. Remember each teacher may deliver the same lesson in their unique manner tailored to fit the needs of their learners during that lesson. By creating these two groups, students receive a better adult-to-student ratio to improve instructional efficiency.
3. Alternative Teaching
Alternative teaching occurs when a large group is lead by one teacher. Still, a smaller alternative group is taught the same lesson but differentiated to fit their needs by the other teacher. The smaller group could be utilized to achieve higher mastery skills or provide students additional or modified instruction.
Important teacher takeaways! There are six co-teaching models; today, we briefly discussed and introduced three methods. Both teachers are equal. In a classroom that practices a healthy co-teaching methodology, you would never know who the general or special ed teacher is at any given time. Children are continuously blended and provided equal exposure and challenges throughout the lessons.
TEACH, SHARE, INSPIRE