The Co-Teacher's Playbook: What It Takes to Make Co-Teaching Work for Everyone

by Angela Peery

Overview

Expert guidance for creating a successful partnership!

In today’s inclusive classrooms, general-education teachers might be paired with special-education teachers, ELL specialists, interventionists, or paraprofessionals in a co-teaching partnership. No matter your exact situation—or which side of the equation you’re on—co-teachers share similar challenges, including struggles with communication, trouble with equitable grading, and lack of planning time.

Whether you’re new to co-teaching, new to your partner, or just see room for improvement in the way you connect, it’s time to make the partnership really benefit your students. So grab a cup of coffee and your co-teacher—this hands-on workbook is designed for the two of you to use together. Features include:

• Stories from experienced co-teachers
• Reflective activities to help each of you discover your collaboration style
• Reproducible lists, checklists, templates, agreements, and more to complete together
• A downloadable unit-planning tool

When co-teaching is done well, the benefits for students are immeasurable. Let this guide’s expert advice and eye-opening activities take your co-teaching to a new level of success.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781544360836
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	08/08/2019
Series:	Corwin Teaching Essentials
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	152
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

            Dr. Angela Peery is a consultant and author with 32 years of experience as an educator. She has spent the last decade completing over 100 speaking and consulting days per year and authoring or co-authoring 14 books, including the bestsellers Writing Matters in Every Classroom and The Data Teams Experience: A Guide for Effective Meetings.

            Prior to becoming a consultant, Angela was an instructional coach for a chronically low-performing middle school.  Her other experience includes ten years of classroom teaching in middle and high schools, four years as a high school administrator, and leadership roles at the building, district, and state levels. In these roles, she developed curriculum and mentored other teachers in standards implementation. She also taught undergraduate and graduate courses, both in-person and online. Additionally, she was a co-director of a National Writing Project site for several years, teaching the summer institute.

            Angela earned her doctorate in curriculum in 2000. Her doctoral research highlighted professional development in literacy that she facilitated with teachers at a K-8 Jewish day school.

            A Virginia native, Angela earned her B. A. in English at Randolph-Macon Woman′s College and her M. A. in Liberal Arts at Hollins College. Her professional licensures include secondary English, secondary administration, and gifted/talented education. She has also studied presentation design and delivery with experts Nancy Duarte, Garr Reynolds, and Rick Altman. Recently, she has undertaken graduate study in brain-based learning and global education.

            Angela makes her home in Beaufort, South Carolina, with her husband of 30 years, Tim, and their pets. When not traveling and working with educators, she most enjoys being on her boat or attending rock concerts. She can be reached at [e-mail].

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
About the Author
Introduction: Why This Book, and Why Me?
Chapter 1: Understanding
Introduction
What Is Co-Teaching?
Activity: What’s Your Definition?
Benefits of Co-Teaching
Activity: The Benefits of Co-Teaching
Co-Teaching: What Does It Look Like in Today’s Classrooms?
General Ed and Special Ed Partnerships
General Ed and ESL/ELL Partnerships
General Ed and Interventionist Partnerships
General Ed and Specialist Partnerships
General Ed and Paraprofessional Partnerships
Activity: Taking Stock
Co-Teaching Structures
Reflection Questions
Conclusion
Tool 1: Welcome Letter to Students Template
Tool 2: Welcome Letter to Parents Template, Elementary
Tool 3: Welcome Letter to Parents Template, Secondary
Extension 1: Co-Teaching Scavenger Hunt
Extension 2: Create a Co-Teaching Vision Board
Chapter 2: Relating
Introduction
Activity: What I Bring to the Table
The Four Pillars of a Great Co-Teaching Partnership
Pillar 1: Respect
Activity: Reflect and Write
Pillar 2: Communication
Activity: My Beliefs about Teaching
Activity: Important Questions for Us to Discuss
Vignette: R. K. Smith Middle School in Luling, Louisiana
Pillar 3: Flexibility
Activity: My Preferences in the Classroom
Understanding the Activity
Pillar 4: Humor
Activity: Let’s Humor Each Other!
Being Prepared for the Highs and the Lows
Examples of Norms for Working Together
Examples of Norms for Weekly Meetings
Activity: Write Your Norms
How to Handle an Uncooperative Co-Teacher
Conclusion
Vignette: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Tool 1: Our Goals
Tool 2: Protocols
Extension 1: Personality Tests
Extension 2: Learning More about Paraphrasing Skills
Chapter 3: Managing
Introduction
Planning for the Learning Environment
Advice for Establishing Routines and Procedures
Procedures, Consequences, and Recognition
Determining Who Will Handle What
Activity: Whose Job Is It?
Conclusion
Tool 1: Student Compact
Tool 2: Positive Notes to Students
Chapter 4: Teaching
Introduction
Unit Planning
Activity: Unpacking the Standards and Creating Learning Targets
Activity: Big Ideas and Essential Questions
Creating the Unit
Summative Assessment
Daily Lessons
Effective Lesson Design
Planning for Ongoing Collaboration
Activity: Reflection Questions
Do’s and Don’ts for Co-Teaching Meetings
Tips for Calendaring Meetings
Conclusion
Tool 1: Unit Plan Template
Tool 2: Meeting Agenda Templates and Examples
Tool 3: “Look-Fors” Co-Teaching Observation Form
Extension 1: Protocols
Extension 2: Student Surveys
Chapter 5: Assessing
Introduction
Assessment in General
Formative versus Summative Assessment
Thinking about Formative Assessment
Activity: Thirty Fun, Formative Assessment Ideas
Lesson Structure That Includes Formative Assessment
Activity: Reflect on the Lesson
Assessment Considerations for Co-Taught Classes
The Value of Pre-Assessment
Conclusion
Tool 1: Creating a Pre-Assessment
Appendix A: A Brief History of Co-Teaching
Appendix B: The Six Co-Teaching Structures Depicted Visually
Appendix C: Sentence Frames for Paraphrasing, Summarizing, and Checking for Accuracy
Appendix D: Do Not Disturb Signs for Weekly Meetings
References
Index

Editorial Reviews

As we strive for high levels of learning—and college/career readiness—for all students, co-teaching has never been as important. No one has as much to offer in guiding educators to success within inclusive, differentiated environments than Angela Peery. This book will be your trusted resource.

Chris Weber

"This book is an excellent resource for teachers new to co-teaching. It is a resource both teachers should use to learn about each other and their teaching styles so they can ensure their classroom environment and teaching best serves their students."

Stacy Lemongelli

The Co-Teacher’s Playbook is one of those rare occasions where the content delivers on the promise of the title. I don’t know of a single other book on this topic that ties it together so well and in such a clear fashion though the use of tools, activities, and the clear, easy connections Dr. Peery has made. She has crafted a text that is applicable for those new to co-teaching with clear definitions and activities at each step, while also challenging veterans of the practice by sharing practical insights and extension activities. With this book Dr. Peery has moved the important work of co-teaching from novelty (practiced by a few, passionate educators) to necessity.

Tom Hierck

The Co-Teacher’s Playbook is essential reading for making co-teaching a reality. Dr. Peery offers a comprehensive framework for successful implementation. Her book is a must read for any team contemplating a co-teaching model.

Ajit "AJ" Pethe

"Practitioners can use this workbook as a tool to get a good start on team teaching/co-teaching. It is well organized and well thought out. The personal experiences and vignettes are all relevant and show the good, the bad, and the ugly. It will be a big help to beginners and for those who want a second chance at making it work."

Claudia A. Danna