Math Co-teaching is defined as two teachers working together in a shared physical math classroom to plan, organize, teach, and assess students. The two teachers are the main teacher and the co-teacher. It’s a wonderful tool for students to have in the classroom. Students benefit greatly from having not one, but two wonderful math teachers. Co-teaching doesn’t have to be stressful or overwhelming. Let’s look at the responsibilities of both teachers in the classroom.
Co-teaching Roles
When starting co-teaching you may want to define your roles early. A co-teacher is a support teacher in the classroom. They help students and extend support when the main teacher is busy or otherwise engaged teaching and assisting other students. Duties can be shared with the cooperating teacher such as planning, organizing, teaching, and assessing students. The co-teacher provides extra support and assistance for students. Particularly students with individualized educational plans that need special assistance. The co-teacher walks around the classroom and monitors students to aide in instruction and practice of math skills. Co-teaching is easier when you have this role of the co-teacher defined for both teachers.
The main math teacher is the primary teacher in the math classroom. They traditionally do all of the roles a single classroom teacher would do, except they have the support of a co-teacher that can share those responsibilities. Duties can be shared with the cooperating teacher such as planning, organizing, teaching, and assessing students. The main teacher still provides support and assistance for students. The co-teacher adds more value to the main teacher by taking things off of the main teacher’s plate. This increases both of the teachers work happiness and value to students.
Shared Duties
Duties can be shared with the cooperating teacher and main teacher such as planning, organizing, teaching, and assessing students. Duties can also be split with the cooperating teacher and main teacher. Here’s an example of splitting the duties. The co-teacher organizes and assess, while the Main teacher plans and teaches lessons. This is only an example. You’ll need to discuss duties with your co-teacher to make sure it works out smoothly for both of you.
Benefits
The St. Cloud State University (SCSU) trained approximately 900 classroom teachers for co-teaching with another teacher. These are the results of the five year study. Students had higher proficiency when they had two teachers in the classroom in both years 2004-2005 and 2007-2008. One of the biggest benefits that came out of this study was increased student performance (Bacharach, et al. 2008).
Overall, researchers found that co-teaching helps to:
•reduce student-teacher ratio and enhance classroom management;
•create more instructional options for all students and increase student participation and engagement;
•Higher gains were present for free/reduced price lunch eligible children, special education eligible children, and general population (Bacharach, et al. 2008).
Co-Teaching Tips
When going through the process of Co-teaching for the first time you may have some questions about how it will run more smoothly. Here are some tips that have helped.
1. Establish Trust. Both teachers in a co-teaching relationship need to be able to trust each other, even if they have different teaching philosophies or backgrounds. It helps for co-teachers to have a relationship outside of the classroom so there is a strong foundation to build on. Get to know each other’s strengths so you can lean on each other and make the most of your partnership. At the end of the day, it’s important to remember that both teachers are there to support the students.
2. Start Strong. Present yourselves to students and parents as equals from the moment you’re given your class list. Create a united front by using “we” instead of “I” and putting both teachers’ names on all class materials.
3. Choose a Co-Teaching Model that works. There are several co-teaching models for planning and delivering instruction. Use the one that is best for you and your co-teacher. We will be talking more about this in video 2 of the “What’s Math co-teaching” series next.
4. Communicate. Communication is crucial to a successful co-teaching relationship. Expect to meet with your co-teacher for at least one hour per week to make sure you are on the same page about curriculum and student progress. The more communication time you share with your co-teacher, the better.
5. Be Flexible. When you have another person in the room, teaching with you, it’s important to be flexible. Your co-teacher may have a different style or philosophy. Do your best to compromise and roll with the punches. Pay attention to what the students need and adjust as you go along.
Guide to Math Co-Teaching
Grab the Guide to Math Co-Teaching Notes for this series today! It’s a 5-part video series about how to co-teach math lessons in the classroom. Each quick 6-minute videos will give you tips, strategies, and resources to develop a co-teaching plan for your classroom. Learn how to use FLIPPED classroom techniques, math video lessons, and more.
Click here for the Guide to Math Co-Teaching Notes and Resources.
