What is Co-Teaching Part 2- by Ashley Ewert

What is Co-Teaching? Part 2-

by Ashley Ewert

In my last blog, I discussed the benefits students and teachers had in an inclusive co-teaching classroom. Co-teaching exist with a variety of approaches or models. Some of the more popular used models of co-teaching include one teach, one support; parallel reaching; station teaching; alternative teaching; and teaming. Refer to the image for a visual example of the various models. Each co-teaching classroom will utilize multiple styles in their classrooms and may even use a different form during each academic lesson throughout the day.

Common Models of Co-Teaching - 

One Teach-One Support

When teachers use a style of one teach one support, many students in the classroom can receive individual attention however if the supporting teacher always is in the same role then he/she begins to be perceived as an aide and not a teacher. The best time to utilize one teach, one support model is during whole group instruction.

Station Teaching

Station teaching is similar to what we know as centers. Students are divided between two to four groups and either work independently or with the teacher's support. Using station teaching makes it easier for instruction to be differentiated levels. Teachers instruct one station while other students at other stations work independently. The student to teacher ratio is decreased when implementing station teaching into the classroom. The best time to use station teaching is during a center time activity when students are rotating to different groups.

Alternate Teaching

In the alternative teaching model, one teacher is responsible for the large group of students while the other teacher instructs a small group of students. This provides unique opportunities to deliver intensive instruction and individualized instruction to all students. Alternative teaching can be utilized anytime there is a need for small group instruction. A suggested subject to use alternative teaching is during a math lesson.

"Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much." 

-Helen Keller

Additional Models of Co-Teaching-

Teaming

When both teachers are teaching and supporting each other at the same time, the teachers are participating in the co-teaching model of teaming.  Teachers are equally contributing to the delivery of the lesson. Teaming promotes respect between teachers as they also serve as a model for students respecting one another. The best way to use this model is when the presentation of differing views and perspective is appropriate. 

Parallel Teaching
When the class is divided into two heterogeneous groups, parallel teaching can be utilized. Each teacher directly instructs the same content to half the group. The student to teacher ratio is decreased by half using this model. Some teachers have a difficult time adjusting to multiple people speaking at the same time, and it can be distracting for students as well. The best time to utilize parallel teaching is when the whole group would benefit from smaller group instruction when being taught the same curriculum. 

"We may have all come on different ships, but we're all in the same boat now." 
                                                                          -Martin Luther King Jr.

"To teach is to touch a life forever." Anonymous

Ashley Ewert