Many professionals have learned about the fundamentals of
co-teaching. They understand how contemporary co-teaching is different from the
co-teaching of the past, they have clarified their roles and responsibilities,
and they feel confident implementing the six classic co-teaching approaches.
They understandably ask, “What else is there?” The answer to that question is
that there are many additional topics to explore beyond the basics, and that is
the focus of this professional development. In this workshop, you will have the
opportunity to reflect on your current co-teaching practices, explore
variations of the basic co-teaching approaches, discuss the integration of
specially designed instruction into co-teaching, address questions that you
have related to your co-teaching practice, tackle practical matters such as
planning time and scheduling, and consider a wide range of issues that may
arise in co-taught classrooms and schools, including co-teaching in a virtual
or remote environment. One key assumption is that you have already participated
in a basic co-teaching professional development session; the intent is to move
beyond the fundamentals. Here are the questions that will form the focus for
the day: 1.How do you allocate co-teaching time among the six classic
approaches? How could variations of the approaches enhance student learning?
2.How do co-teachers effectively and efficiently plan for their shared
instruction, particularly if they are working in a remote or virtual learning
environment? What are realistic expectations regarding co-planning time? 3.What
are recommended practices regarding the classroom logistics of co-teaching
(e.g., student movement, noise level student groupings-live or virtual, use of
classroom equipment)? 4.How do school/system logistics affect co-teaching
effectiveness (e.g., class composition, special educator schedule, schoolwide
schedule)? 5.What is specially designed instruction (SDI)? How is SDI
distinguished from differentiation, accommodation, and modification? What is
the obligation of co-teachers to incorporate SDI into their instruction,
regardless of its format, and how do they accomplish this? 6.How can
co-teachers address their other issues and concerns, both those that being
experienced and those that are anticipated?
Your registration includes a copy of the books, Co-Teach! Building and Sustaining Effective Classroom Partnerships in Inclusive Schools and Specially Designed Instruction in Co-Teaching: Maximizing Student Outcomes by Intensifying Teaching and Learning by Dr. Marilyn Friend. Registrations by September 30 will likely receive the books before the session. Registrations after September 30 will receive the books after the session.