Co-Teaching: Why Should I?
An Informative Brochure for Educators
What is Co-Teaching?
What are the benefits?
- Students with disabilities are provided access to the general education curriculum and general education setting.
- Students with disabilities still receive individual instruction
- Students will have the opportunity to be taught in an intense, individualized manner
- Greater instructional intensity and the opportunity for differentiation
- Teachers will learn from each other’s expertise and expand the scope of their teaching capabilities
- Reduces negative stigma and need for associated with pull-out programs
- Students with disabilities may feel more connected with their peer group (ASCD.org).
The Power of Two=Progress For All
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q:How will we prepare lessons?
A:Having plan time together is essential, whether it be during school, after or before. Co-teaching and co-preparation go hand-in-hand.
Q: How can we monitor our co-teaching progress/effectiveness?
A: There are wonderful rubric resources available such as: The Rubric for Co-Teaching in Inclusive Settings (laspdg.org).
References for Additional Information and Support
Friend, M. (2008) Co-Teach! A Manual for Creating and Sustaining Classroom Partnerships in Inclusive Schools. Greensboro, NC: Marilyn Friend, Inc.
*This book offers great insight into the importance of relationship dynamics in co-teaching roles. The difference in teaching styles and communication style often hinder our relationship with co-teachers, this book helps identify and explain those challenges and helps assist.
Ladato-Wilson, Gloria & Blednick, Joan. (2011) Teaching in Tandem: Effective Co-Teaching in the Inclusive Classroom. Alexandria, VA, ASCD.
*This book helps define effective co-teaching and gives many examples for organizing, and planning for an inclusive setting. This also gives insight to equitable exposure for all students.
Rubric for Co-Teaching In Inclusive Settings (2012). Louisiana State Personnel Development Grant-LASPDG. Retrieved February 2014, from http://laspdg.org, (2012).
*This is a tool to use to measure your progress and collect data on your co-teaching practices. This could be used for administrative meetings and district research. Parents may also be interested in the progress of co-teaching methods.
Diecker, Lisa. (2004) The Co-Teaching Lesson Plan Book. Boston: Pearson
*This is a great tool to use for planning your lessons, it has room for accomodations and IEP goals on each page, specific student tasks, teacher goals, and duplicate plans for both teachers. This is a very useful tool
Co-Teaching Connection by Dr. Marilyn Friend. (2007). Retrieved March 2014, from http://www.coteach.com
* This website has a lot of helpful resources and information for getting started in the co-teaching process. This website provides examples of lesson plans for elementary-secondary core instruction and applies it to co-teaching models.
Friend, Marilyn (Director). (2005). The Power of Two. [Motion Picture]. USA
*This DVD is a great forum for education and offers any examples to shown on video, so educators can view co-teaching in motion. This video helps give concise demonstrations and ideas for how and when to co-teach in your classroom.