Co-Teaching That Works

Guaranteed Success for the Co-teaching Classroom

Following the success of the first edition, Co-Teaching That Works: Structures and Strategies for Maximizing Student Learning, Second Edition is here to provide actionable advice to co-teachers seeking to utilize one another's strengths. Unlike other co-teaching books, this manual is written for every possible educator combination—not simply general educators. You'll find sections on everything from co-teaching in literacy and speech-language therapy to special education and technology so that, no matter what subject matter or expertise, you'll be prepared to co-teach.

This book is written to provide concrete, actionable advice, including:

• Co-Teaching Roll Out Plans
• Leadership Guidelines
• Relationship Development
• Best Co-Teaching Models
• Specially Designed Instruction
• And more

Educators will have the opportunity to learn from other experienced co-teachers who share their personal stories, tips, and tried-and-true co-teaching techniques that lead to student success. Their creative, time-efficient approaches will revolutionize the way you view your classroom teaching strategies and enhance your ability to collaborate with other educators.

Whether you are planning to build your co-teaching strategy from scratch or just looking to refine your current approach, Co-Teaching That Works will undoubtedly be a priceless resource to have in your professional toolbox.

The Author vii

Introduction 1

Part One: Developing a Recipe For Success 7

Chapter 1 An Overview of Co-Teaching 9

What is Co-Teaching? 9

What Does the Research Say? 10

What Are the Benefits? 13

Chapter 2 Leadership for Co-Teaching 19

Multiyear Rollout Plan 19

Vision and Culture 24

Professional Learning That Yields Results 30

Expectations for Co-Teachers 32

Classroom Composition 35

Planning Time 36

Evaluation 40

Coaching for the Co-Taught Classroom 48

Chapter 3 Relationship Building 55

Communication 56

Roles and Responsibilities 61

Grading 66

Reflection 68

Celebrations 72

Courageous Conversations 72

Chapter 4 Specially Designed Instruction 79

Three Whats and Three Whys of SDI 80

Examples and Non-Examples 81

Planning with SDI in Mind 84

Steps for Co-Planning SDI 84

Another Glance 91

Part Two: Serving Up Effective Instruction 97

Chapter 5 An Overview of the Models 99

Chapter 6 The Duet Model 103

At a Glance 103

Roles and Responsibilities 107

Pros and Cons 109

Chapter 7 The Map and Navigate Model 113

At a Glance 113

Roles and Responsibilities 117

Pros and Cons 117

Chapter 8 The Adding Model 121

At a Glance 121

Roles and Responsibilities 124

Pros and Cons 125

Chapter 9 The Transforming Model 129

At a Glance 129

Roles and Responsibilities 137

Pros and Cons 138

Chapter 10 The Complementing Model 141

At a Glance 142

Roles and Responsibilities 146

Pros and Cons 146

Chapter 11 The Mixed-Readiness Grouping Model 149

At a Glance 149

Another Glance 150

Roles and Responsibilities 151

Pros and Cons 152

Chapter 12 The Readiness Grouping Model 155

At a Glance 155

Another Glance 158

Roles and Responsibilities 159

Pros and Cons 160

Chapter 13 Grouping Configurations 163

Managing Small Groups 168

Part Three: Maximizing Unique Talents 173

Chapter 14 Co-Teaching with a Special Education Teacher 175

Best Models 177

Challenges 181

Essential for Success 182

Chapter 15 Co-Teaching with a Technology or Library Media Specialist 187

Best Models 189

Challenges 190

Essential for Success 192

Chapter 16 Co-Teaching with a Speech/Language Pathologist 197

The “Old Rules” 197

The “New Rules” 199

Best Models 199

Challenges 202

Essential for Success 204

Chapter 17 Co-Teaching with an Occupational or Physical Therapist 207

Best Models 208

Challenges 210

Essential for Success 211

Chapter 18 Co-Teaching with a Paraeducator 213

Shaping the Role of the Paraeducator 214

Best Models 215

Challenges 218

Essential for Success 220

Chapter 19 Co-Teaching with a Literacy Specialist 223

Best Models 225

Challenges 227

Essential for Success 228

Chapter 20 Co-Teaching with an English Language Development Specialist 231

Best Models 232

Challenges 235

Essential for Success 236

Part Four: The Finishing Touches 241

Chapter 21 Conclusion: Evolving Partnerships 243

Appendix Instructional Strategies for Co-Taught Classrooms 245

References 291

Index 299

ANNE M. BENINGHOF has over 35 years of experience working with students and teachers as a special education teacher, postsecondary faculty member, and highly sought-after consultant and trainer. Anne focuses on creative, practical solutions for more effectively including students with diverse learning needs in general education classrooms.

Learn how to provide valuable lessons that maximize student learning in any co-teaching scenario

This user-friendly guide goes beyond the basics of co-teaching, offering tips for every team. Internationally recognized expert Anne Beninghof offers proven models and concrete examples for co-teaching teams including specialists in literacy, ELL, technology, occupational/physical therapy, special education, speech-language therapy, gifted education, and paraeducators.

Inside, readers will find practical guidance on:

• Defining teacher roles in an array of co-teaching scenarios
• Planning lessons that draw on each educator's strengths
• Integrating specially designed instruction to meet individual goals
• Addressing common challenges in co-teaching

"Anne brings co-teaching to life by not only providing the nuts and bolts of how to structure your co-teaching model, but also those practical ideas and strategies that co-teachers can take and implement right away. Direct connections to her readers and applicability to the classroom are her strengths!"
--Dr. Holly J. Porter, Director of Language Supports and Services, Cherry Creek School District #5

"An absolute must read for co-teaching teams that want a practical guide to improve instruction for all students. Beninghof has created a framework to improve practices that promote the development of co-teaching teams."
--Michael Shelton, Special Services Director

"Teachers, building leaders, trainers, coaches, university faculty - anyone who wants to promote effective co-teaching - will benefit from Co-Teaching That Works. Beninghof's engaging stories, scenarios, and strategies taken from her personal classroom and training experiences with teachers and school leaders throughout the country, coupled with the research on co-teaching, instruction, student learning and leadership, make this a must read for any teaching team, school leadership or teacher preparation program engaged in improving student success through co-teaching. This book brings co-teaching alive, and will excite and empower its readers to provide impactful instruction!"
--Anne Louise Thompson, PHD, International Inclusive Education Lecturer and Senior Special Education Content Specialist