Type of co-teaching

Application

One teach, one observe

One teacher has primary instructional responsibility while the other gathers specific observational information on students or the (instructing) teacher. The key to this strategy is to focus the observation—where the teacher doing the observation is observing specific behaviors. It is important to remember that either (teacher candidate or cooperating teacher) could take on both roles.

One teach, one assist

This is an extension of one teach, one observe. One teacher has primary instructional responsibility while the other assists students’ with their work, monitors behaviors, or corrects assignments. Often lending a voice to students or groups who would hesitate to participate or add comments.

Station teaching

The co-teaching pair divides the instructional content into parts. Each teacher instructs one of the groups, groups then rotate or spend a designated amount of time at each station. Often an independent station will be used along with the teacher led station.

Parallel teaching

Each teacher instructs half the students. The two teachers are addressing the same instructional material and presenting the material using the same teaching strategies. The benefit to this approach is the reduction of student to teacher ratio.

Supplemental

This strategy allows one teacher to work with students at their expected grade level, while the other teacher works with those students who need the information and/or materials extended or remediated.

Alternative (differentiated)

Alternative teaching strategies provide two different approaches to teaching the same information. The learning outcome is the same for all students; however, the avenue for getting there is different.

Team teaching

Well planned, team taught lesson, exhibit an invisible flow of instruction with no prescribed division of authority. Using a team teaching strategy, both teachers are actively involved in the lesson. From a students’ perspective, there is no clearly defined leader—as both teachers share the instruction, are free to interject information, and available to assist students and answer questions.