Be safe, be appropriate, be responsible and please make sure you remain professional and follow ALL your district policies and procedures.
Only Blog Postings from NW GLRS Site Based Co-Teaching Academy Participants
Should Be Posted Here!
"Co-Planning and Models of Co-Teaching: Knowing Which Model to
Use and How"
Hello Fellow NW GLRS Co-Teaching Academy Members! I hope all is well with you and your school year is off to a great start. Hopefully, the whirlwind of starting a new year has settled and you’re finally able to teach. All the instructors from the NW GLRS Team want to commend you on all the great instruction we saw when we visited your classrooms at the beginning of the year. Most of you were teaching the standards and a few of you demonstrated great examples of differentiating instruction while teaching in a standards-based classroom.
Our major focus this year will be to: 1) help you move from the overused and not always the most appropriate model of collaboration of “one teach-one assist” to true “co-teaching"; 2) use data to drive and improve instruction in the areas of R/ELA and Math; 3) learn to effectively use various Web 2.0 21st Century Teaching Tools to effectively co-plan, differentiate instruction, and to overall enhance the teaching and learning experience of students with and without disabilities in your co-taught classrooms.
By now, each of you should have:
· Signed up for a Gmail account and emailed your Gmail address to your instructors and to Charlise Johnston at: cjohnston@nwgaresa.com
· Joined the NW GLRS Wikispace and checked it frequently for updates
· Joined the NW GLRS Blog as a Follower and followed the blog
· Read the online assignment and due date sheet and followed all the instructions listed that need to be completed for Day 1 Face-to-Face and Day 1 Online assignments (an assignment due date list for each cohort has been posted on the NW GLRS Wikispace on the Calendars, Handouts, and Forms Page)
Now, that we’ve finished our housekeeping this month, let’s getting to Blogging:
Introduce yourself to your instructors and the rest of the co-teachers in your Cohort. Then briefly discuss which model of co-teaching you used most this month and why. Then using the K-8 Access Center Co-Teaching Handout that discusses design, instruction, monitoring, and benefits as your rubric, self-assess you and your co-teacher’s level of proficiency. What did you do well and what do you still need to work on? Did you co-plan which collaborative model you were going to use before you used it, or did you just adlib? Did you both equally share in the teaching and learning of your students? Why or Why Not? Use the NW GLRS Standards-Based Lesson Plan template as your rubric to respond to this question. Did you co-plan using Google Docs yet? How did it work for you? Pros, cons, frustrations, celebrations???
Once you respond to this blog, then read at least 2 other co-teachers' blog post and post comments. This is how we build a true professional learning community using social networking tools.
Since the Co-teacher academy Day 1 my co-teacher and I have planned together using a template that was mandated by the school. We are trying to "morph" that template into the co-teaching template, with some success. We have started using station-teaching at least 3 times a week for guided reading groups. In math, groups have been formed according to need, as well. We have discussed the SHARED sheet that we completed in Day 1. Some of the categories had not been discussed at all prior to the academy. It was great having an opportunity to ave it there to refer to. We are communicating more. We discuss the students more in depth. I feel she knows my sped students as well as I do. We still need work on timing like when lessons run over or end early. We must work on how to handle that - what to do? Next week's lesson we will put into the template (my goal). I will report on how it worked - after.
ReplyDeleteAs co-teachers we still meet and work with students at the same time in class. We have taken turns teaching the class and finished the lesson paln template with what we already use at the school
ReplyDeleteSince the first meeting, my co-teachers and I have met at least once a week to discuss lesson plans and decide on everyone's role in the class. We had a difficult time completing the lesson plan page they wanted us to use and find our school mandated form much easier to complete.
ReplyDeleteI believe the students are getting more from each lesson as we each bring our on prospective and style to the class. Each week we get better and better.
Since we have a common planning period, Blake and I have continued to work together to develop our lessons and class pacing. We regularly discuss problems that occur and how we might best meet all of the needs in our class. We did not use our Wiki page or Google docs to complete our first plan. We both enjoy the in-person discussion more than the use of technology and are able to incorporate that in our weekly schedules.
ReplyDeleteWe transferred our plan from Word into Google Docs. Here's the link https://docs.google.com/document/edit?id=1Z_Ntsj8avtk-s7ldCZPvYLTB6g3x1mhid6li7Qd9j7w&hl=en&authkey=CI7ny2A
ReplyDeleteI did not realize that Google Docs was set to automatically convert our lesson plan file type thus creating an unusable copy. I uploaded again -- new link is https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B3yOfZxVWZ3FZjQ0OTBmNDMtYmMxMi00M2JmLThjNTItZmI3NzI4NzI3YzJi&hl=en&authkey=CJ-RoowB
ReplyDeleteMy issues with using the technology for collaborative planning have just increased. The conversions on Google Docs do not appear to work with templates such as the one which we were provided. Therefore, how could one be asked to use Google docs to modify and collaborate if the formatting is a mess. The non-converted version does not allow for editing. Even though I have previously used Google docs, blogspot and pbwiki, it seems more direction/clarification is needed for their effective use during this course.
I am working today on the lesson plan. I, too, am having a tough time getting Google Docs to accept the format of the template. I e-mailed it to my gmail account. Maybe someone can shed light on it tomorrow at the meeting.
ReplyDeleteI am a third grade inclusion teacher working with two of the best third grade teachers. I bring to the table 26 years of teaching experience. I have taught in the states of North Carolina, Indiana, and several places in Georgia. I have been enjoying the co-taught classroom. To begin the school year, we have used the One teach, one assist method. During the first month or so, we are trying to access our students and this takes a lot of time- especially giving DRA's which has to be done individually. Some come from the primary school with a level, but it is not the same scale we use, so we start at square one. We have now moved into the station teaching in reading and math. We have a short opening, and then go directly into groups. We used the data we collected on each student and grouped them according to their skills. We reassess them frequent so they are free to move up as they grow in an area. I think what we do well is to make sure our students don't stay on a reading level too long, and in math we pretest the skill for the next week so we can group the students that have similar difficulties and challenge all students. We need to work on having more time to co-plan. We have meetings 2 days a week, and usually 1 parent conference weekly, so that gives us 2 days- if we are lucky to plan for the following week. I have been doing more openings and closings for whole group, and this is going well.Have not used google docs yet.
ReplyDeleteSince the co-teaching academy, I've learned that we have been implementing multiple types of co-teaching models with both of my co-teachers throughout the day. I was having a tough time to find where to upload the lesson plan. My understanding is that we need to upload it to the Blog, but I just could not find any link to do so.
ReplyDeleteHello instructors and colleagues! I am sorry this is so long, I don’t know how to answer everything with fewer words yet. I will try to get better!
ReplyDeleteIntroduction: My name is Bobbie Bruton and I teach third grade reading, writing, and language at CES. I have the privilege of teaming with an amazing technology-savvy teacher, Amanda Olford. I also have the pleasure of working with an amazing, experienced inclusion teacher, Laurie Howell.
Design: Because we are required to teach using the Workshop Model, we most often use the co-teaching model of “Station Teaching.” Our Lessons are segmented into an Opening, Worktime, and Closing. We alternate leading the openings and closings. During the Worktime, we have a set schedule/rotation of groups. Our lessons are based on the group’s reading level. We introduce new vocabulary, preview the text, practice a reading strategy, write a response, check comprehension, complete vocab journals, phonic/word studies, etc.
Instruction: We meet with our guided reading groups various times a week, depending on their needs. The lower groups are seen 3+/week. Middle groups are seen 2x/week. And the higher groups are seen 1/week. We also work hard at meeting with the students one-on-one. Every child enjoys a one-on-one conference with me within a 2-week period. I meet with all at-risk students 2 times per 2-week period. In addition, Mrs. Howell meets one-on-one with these struggling students at least once a week.
Monitoring: As Laurie stated earlier, these groups are based on the students’ abilities as a reader. Hopefully their abilities change often, therefore we are constantly assessing and monitoring their growth via Running records, one-on-one conferences, anecdotal notes, comprehension assessments, spelling inventories, etc. Within the worktime schedule, students also have the opportunity to partner read with different classmates based on hi-low ability.
Benefits: We believe in small group learning, especially as many of our students struggle focusing when instructing any other way. We get to see students’ individual needs, whether academic, emotional, etc.
+/_ I agree with Laurie in that we HAVE to make more time to plan, discuss ideas, develop modifications, & collaborate. Everyone is so busy! Hopefully with the first 9 weeks behind us, we can make this a priority.
Co-plan? Again, we have to use the “Workshop Model.” Therefore there isn’t really much deciding which co-teaching model we will incorporate. At times, we plan who will teach each segment. At other times, we “adlib.” Thursday, I hadn’t finished the Running Record I had given, so she completed the closing. On Wednesday, the day before, I got up to complete the closing and she finished the Running Record I had started. Maybe we should try different co-teaching models for the opening & closing? Will that be more effective for our students? Should we stick to a routine?
Equally shared? I can honestly say, we both equally shared in the learning and teaching of our students. We each planned for our small groups, shared the opening and closing segments, and worked together to monitor the independent workers as well.
Co-Plan with Google Docs? After our first meeting we did spend time drafting an upcoming lesson using the NWGLRS Template. We have not used Google docs to co-plan, since we already have an extensive lesson plan template required by the system. We do however co-plan in person before/after class, at lunch, before/after the school day, during our professional learning communities, etc. I like the idea of using Google Docs to store the lesson plan. I need to look more at how to share the document with others so they can edit it too. I thought our Wiki is where we a re supposed to edit documents, not Google? Can someone clarify that for me?
That sounds great Brenda! I agree that it is important to bring your own teaching style and personal perspective to each lesson. Way to go girl!
ReplyDeleteGermano & Ketrina
ReplyDeleteI am about to upload my lesson plan into Google Docs. Earlier, I did upload the template successfully. I will let you know how this goes!
Germano-from what I could tell your lesson plan was coming along great! Thanks for the link. :)
Anna I am looking forward to learning more about google docs. It was very confusing how to do this process. I am sure we will learn more about it today.
ReplyDeleteHello all! I am a little tardy with this process. Please forgive me, the only excuse I can give is life.
ReplyDeleteI am very blessed to have been a co-teacher now for five years. I have worked with three extremely extraordinary special education teachers. However, this year, I have built a true co-teaching bond within a team. There are four teachers on the team.
This is the first year in which we have all worked together as a team. We each have co-taught together before. I think this aspect has enabled us to work so well together.
Together, the three teachers of this team, work daily to plan and discuss our educational goals and standards. It is wonderful that we do not utilize the exact same tasks. We are able to see which worked well and which ones did not. Most importantly, we support each other and help to offer encouragement. Kate, who is the sped. teacher in our group, does a fantastic job juggling both classrooms and adapting to both environments!!! I admire this about her!
I am thrilled about google docs. Haley and I are beginning to utilize this site a great deal more.
Happy teaching!
This has been very interesting. I'm learning a lot and I am looking forward to much more. Our team works well together.
ReplyDeleteTim and I meet on a daily basis to discuss plans for the class and needs of our students. I think that this face-to-face communication is the best way to meet their needs right now.
ReplyDeleteCartersville City Cohort Members... I have been asked to review your assignments and provide feedback. I know many of you from my years as a consultant at GLRS and a few years consulting in Cartersville City. Gail Wilkins and I are colleagues and good friends...she's the best! I hear great things about her co-teacher as well... I am having difficulty uploading your lesson plans, and it appears others are having a difficult time as well... To be sure I have all assignments... in addition to uploading to google docs, please email any assignments to kimchester@wesleyeducational.com I don't want to waste any time giving you feedback... Meanwhile, I'll continue to work out the kinks with google docs on my end.
ReplyDeleteSpecial Education teachers had a great day of math training today. Many strategies and helpful information. I was very proud of what we are doing in the classroom to help the struggling students but.... we gained new strategies that I feel will enhance the already, effective strategies that we are presently using.
ReplyDeleteJust found a great article on using virtual manipulatives. Enjoy the websites within it.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.cited.org/index.aspx?page_id=151
Hello all. I have uploaded our second lesson plan using Google docs. It is available for viewing by everyone using the link https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B3yOfZxVWZ3FZThhZDA4NzktZDZhZS00OTU1LWE5YjktZmE3N2YyNzQzYWQ4&hl=en&authkey=CNvKuqcBBlake and I chose to use a daily lesson plan format that we used at CMS last year. Although this year we are using a slightly different format which encompasses a week of lessons, this format was better suited to meet the needs of the Co-Teaching process. We selected Study Island as our Web 2.0 resource.
ReplyDeleteNOTE: This post from a participant was moved from the "welcome" page to the pertinent cohort page. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteFor years I have read about the "Art of Co-Teaching". Many of the concepts are researched-based. Some are not. I believe that working in 2 inclusion classrooms as a special education teacher is much like being married to 2 people with different needs and requirements. So much of the special education teacher's ability to work successfully with both teachers depends on the sped teacher being able to please both co-teachers. Now in a perfect situation this might be possible maybe even plausible but when you have AYP, difficult parents, and unyielding rules and regulations, it seems almost overwhelmingly impossible. The tendency has been to make the sped teacher the scape goat when a child fails.
The special education teacher is a resource and support but it is the 2 teachers in that room that are responsible for the student's successes and failures. If the sped teacher could do it on her own then the least restrictive environment would be in the resource classroom. If the general education teacher could do it on her own then the LRE would be in the gened class without support. So the secret is for the the team to act as a true team. Team meaning both people. Both people for each of the students placed in the inclusion classroom.
When a student is placed in a classroom it is because the committee (made up of people that knew that student well at the time of the meeting) decided which LRE would best fit the students strengths and weaknesses. It is then the charge of the "next year committee" to assure that those modifications, recommendations and accommodations are successful for the student.
Are we doing everything we can for each student? I believe that we are. But I also believe that is why inclusion can be successful - it is not just what I think that matters!!
Ketrina
Thank you guys for participating in the Blog. I understand some of you guys are having difficulty uploading your lesson plans to Google Docs. Remember, this is a working progress. There have been kinks in the process, but so far we have been able to work through those kinks. Let me know if you have any specific questions and I will find the answer for you.
ReplyDeleteBasically, Google Docs is a great tool to use for planning with your co-teacher when you do not have common planning time. I have read some blogs where a team continues to have common planning--I think that is fantastic. Unfortunately, there are several teams who do not share common planning; therefore, need to plan together somehow.
Also, remember to utilize your Wiki page as a resource tool for you, other staff members, students, as well as, the parents. You can also plan with your co-teacher using your Wiki page by using the discussion board.
Remember, I am learning how to use these 21st Century tools alongside you guys. Honestly, I utilized Dr. Holifield's Wiki page (nwglrs.wikispaces.com) and watched the videos, clicked on different links and was able to learn how to use the web tools. I have really enjoyed it and am learning more each time I log in to my Wiki page or in to Google Docs. Don't give up on it, it does get easier.
Just wondering when our next observation will take place at Cartersville Elementary School. We have benchmark testing November 29 - December 3.
ReplyDeleteI will be using the information (data) from the Co-Teaching Academy for my dissertation research. My intent of the study was to find out more about collaboration of teachers. The research shows that co-teaching is an efficient way to serve students with disabilities. That may be true but are the teachers truly collaborating to meet the needs of all students? Or are they simply keeping their heads above water to keep from drowning in paperwork, discipline, parents, and timelines? My hope for this program was for the co-teachers to be renewed and empowered by knowledge and time.
ReplyDeleteMrs. Peeler and I have reviewed over your IEPs. However, we will not meet until March 11, 2011 to discuss our findings. I hope all is going well for everyone. If you guys have any questions, feel free to e-mail me at any time. (hhightower@nwgaresa.com)
ReplyDeleteSee you on March 11th!!!!!