Models of Co-teaching - Team Teaching

CAST (n.d.) contend that team teaching requires the strongest partnership but can be one of the most fulfilling methods of co-teaching. With team teaching, the co-teachers share responsibility and deliver instruction at the same time as a “tag team”. both teachers are in the room at the same time but take turns teaching the whole class. Team teaching is sometimes called “tag team teaching.” You and your co-teacher are a bit like co-presenters at a conference or the Oscars. You don’t necessarily plan who takes which part of the lesson, and when one of you makes a point, the other can jump in and elaborate if needed, (Morin, n.d.).

CLASSROOM SETUP

Both teachers are fully involved in delivering the instruction at the same time. Both teachers are at the front of the room or roaming as needed as they deliver instruction.

ADVANTAGE

Allows students to see two perspectives of a lesson / topic.
Models a strong professional relationship between two adults.
Can allow teaching of two strategies or ideas simultaneously
Promotes respect for both teachers
Models multiple ways of presenting and engaging with information
Models for students what a successful collaborative working relationship can look like
Provides more opportunities to pursue teachable moments that may arise

DISADVANTAGE

Requires a great amount of planning and coordination.
Requires a rapport that cannot be rushed or faked
Requires meticulous planning together, which can be time-consuming
Requires teachers to have equal involvement not just in planning, but also in grading, which means assignments need to be evaluated using a rubric or other non-subjective methods

BEST FOR...

As often as feasible based on the amount of planning required, and when students will benefit from two viewpoints, or two strategies, to learn the content

REFERENCES:
Morin, A. (n.d.). 6 models of co-teaching. Retrieved from https://www.understood.org/en/articles/6-models-of-co-teaching
C.A.S.T. (n.d.). What is Co-Teaching? An Introduction to Co-Teaching and Inclusion. Retrieved from https://publishing.cast.org/stories-resources/stories/co-teaching-introduction-inclusion-stein
Cook, L., & Friend, M. (2004, April 29). Co-Teaching: Principles, Practices, and Pragmatics. Participants Guide. Paper presented at New Mexico Public Education Department Quarterly Special Education Meeting, Albuquerque. Santa Fe, NM: New Mexico Public Education Department.
Model Teaching. (2019). The Six Co-Teaching Models Reference Guide. Retrieved from https://modelteaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/The-6-Co-Teaching-Models-Reference-Guide.pdf
Friend, M & Cook, L 2003. Interactions: Collaboration skills for school professionals. Pearson Education, Inc, Boston.