Co-planning is a critical element in the co-teaching cycle. So what exactly is "co-planning"? We define co-planning as two or more teachers actively engaging in planning. During co-planning, teachers agree on instructional goals and a timeline for instruction, analyze evidence of student learning, select or develop instructional tasks, select instructional tools, and design an assessment plan to prepare a lesson.  

During co-planning, the focus is on "planning for learning", not only "planning for teaching". Planning for teaching is necessary, but if planning only focuses on what the teacher(s) will be doing during instruction, then we are missing the most important aspect of teaching...the students! By shifting the focus to planning for learning, teacher(s) first consider student learning, then address what the teacher will be doing to support student learning. We utilize several guiding questions to support teachers to focus on learning during the co-planning process:

• What do students need to learn?

• How will you know if they have learned it?

• What tasks will be used to engage students to ensure learning happens?

• What materials, tools (e.g., technology, manipulatives), and resources are needed?

• What co-teaching strategies will best facilitate student learning? What role will each teacher take?