Co-Teachers Playbook: What It Takes to Make Co-Teaching Work for Everyone

In today’s inclusive classrooms, general-education teachers might be paired with special-education teachers, ELL specialists, interventionists, or paraprofessionals in a co-teaching partnership. No matter your exact situation—or which side of the equation you’re on: co-teachers share similar challenges, including struggles with communication, trouble with equitable grading, and lack of planning time.

Whether you’re new to co-teaching, new to your partner, or just see room for improvement in the way you connect, it’s time to make the partnership really benefit your students. So grab a cup of coffee and your co-teacher—this hands-on workbook is designed for the two of you to use together. Features include:

• Stories from experienced co-teachers

• Reflective activities to help each of you discover your collaboration style

• Reproducible lists, checklists, templates, agreements, and more to complete together

• A downloadable unit-planning tool

When co-teaching is done well, the benefits for students are immeasurable. Let this guide’s expert advice and eye-opening activities take your co-teaching to a new level of success.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

About the Author

Introduction: Why This Book, and Why Me?

1. Understanding
• Introduction
• What Is Co-Teaching?
• Activity: What’s Your Definition?
• Benefits of Co-Teaching
• Activity: The Benefits of Co-Teaching
• Co-Teaching: What Does It Look Like in Today’s Classrooms?
• General Ed and Special Ed Partnerships
• General Ed and ESL/ELL Partnerships
• General Ed and Interventionist Partnerships
• General Ed and Specialist Partnerships
• General Ed and Paraprofessional Partnerships
• Activity: Taking Stock
• Co-Teaching Structures
• Reflection Questions
• Conclusion
• Tool 1: Welcome Letter to Students Template
• Tool 2: Welcome Letter to Parents Template, Elementary
• Tool 3: Welcome Letter to Parents Template, Secondary
• Extension 1: Co-Teaching Scavenger Hunt
• Extension 2: Create a Co-Teaching Vision Board
2. Relating
• Introduction
• Activity: What I Bring to the Table
• The Four Pillars of a Great Co-Teaching Partnership
• Pillar 1: Respect
• Activity: Reflect and Write
• Pillar 2: Communication
• Activity: My Beliefs about Teaching
• Activity: Important Questions for Us to Discuss
• Vignette: R. K. Smith Middle School in Luling, Louisiana
• Pillar 3: Flexibility
• Activity: My Preferences in the Classroom
• Understanding the Activity
• Pillar 4: Humor
• Activity: Let’s Humor Each Other!
• Being Prepared for the Highs and the Lows
• Examples of Norms for Working Together
• Examples of Norms for Weekly Meetings
• Activity: Write Your Norms
• How to Handle an Uncooperative Co-Teacher
• Conclusion
• Vignette: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
• Tool 1: Our Goals
• Tool 2: Protocols
• Extension 1: Personality Tests
• Extension 2: Learning More about Paraphrasing Skills
3. Managing
• Introduction
• Planning for the Learning Environment
• Advice for Establishing Routines and Procedures
• Procedures, Consequences, and Recognition
• Determining Who Will Handle What
• Activity: Whose Job Is It?
• Conclusion
• Tool 1: Student Compact
• Tool 2: Positive Notes to Students
4. Teaching
• Introduction
• Unit Planning
• Activity: Unpacking the Standards and Creating Learning Targets
• Activity: Big Ideas and Essential Questions
• Creating the Unit
• Summative Assessment
• Daily Lessons
• Effective Lesson Design
• Planning for Ongoing Collaboration
• Activity: Reflection Questions
• Do’s and Don’ts for Co-Teaching Meetings
• Tips for Calendaring Meetings
• Conclusion
• Tool 1: Unit Plan Template
• Tool 2: Meeting Agenda Templates and Examples
• Tool 3: “Look-Fors” Co-Teaching Observation Form
• Extension 1: Protocols
• Extension 2: Student Surveys
5. Assessing
• Introduction
• Assessment in General
• Formative versus Summative Assessment
• Thinking about Formative Assessment
• Activity: Thirty Fun, Formative Assessment Ideas
• Lesson Structure That Includes Formative Assessment
• Activity: Reflect on the Lesson
• Assessment Considerations for Co-Taught Classes
• The Value of Pre-Assessment
• Conclusion
• Tool 1: Creating a Pre-Assessment

Appendices:

• Appendix A: A Brief History of Co-Teaching
• Appendix B: The Six Co-Teaching Structures Depicted Visually
• Appendix C: Sentence Frames for Paraphrasing, Summarizing, and Checking for Accuracy
• Appendix D: Do Not Disturb Signs for Weekly Meetings

References

Index

"The Co-Teacher’s Playbook is one of those rare occasions where the content delivers on the promise of the title. I don’t know of a single other book on this topic that ties it together so well and in such a clear fashion though the use of tools, activities, and the clear, easy connections Dr. Peery has made. She has crafted a text that is applicable for those new to co-teaching with clear definitions and activities at each step, while also challenging veterans of the practice by sharing practical insights and extension activities. With this book Dr. Peery has moved the important work of co-teaching from novelty (practiced by a few, passionate educators) to necessity."
- Tom Hierck

"Practitioners can use this workbook as a tool to get a good start on team teaching/co-teaching. It is well organized and well thought out. The personal experiences and vignettes are all relevant and show the good, the bad, and the ugly. It will be a big help to beginners and for those who want a second chance at making it work."
- Claudia A. Danna, Sacred Heart University

"This book is an excellent resource for teachers new to co-teaching. It is a resource both teachers should use to learn about each other and their teaching styles so they can ensure their classroom environment and teaching best serves their students."
- Stacy Lemongelli, Perth Amboy Public Schools District

"As we strive for high levels of learning—and college/career readiness—for all students, co-teaching has never been as important. No one has as much to offer in guiding educators to success within inclusive, differentiated environments than Angela Peery. This book will be your trusted resource."
- Chris Weber, EdD, Irvine Unified School District

"The Co-Teacher’s Playbook is essential reading for making co-teaching a reality. Dr. Peery offers a comprehensive framework for successful implementation. Her book is a must read for any team contemplating a co-teaching model."
- Ajit "AJ" Pethe, St. Charles Parish Public Schools