What are three examples of approaches used in co-teaching? Describe each approach and give an example of when each approach may be appropriate.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

In the one teach, one observe co-teaching approach, one educator manages the instruction of the entire group of students while the other gathers data on one student, a small group of students, or even the entire class. Often special educators know more ways to collect data on students. For example, if professionals notice that a student seems to be having a great deal of difficulty transitioning from one activity to the next, they might observe so that they can address this problem. Parallel teaching occurs when two professionals decide to split a group of students in half and simultaneously provide the same instruction. In an elementary math class, this approach might be used when some students can work without manipulatives for counting but other students still need them. In station teaching, the teachers divide instruction into two, three, or even more nonsequential components, and each is addressed in a separate area of the room. Each student participates in each station. For example, in an algebra class one group of students might be working with the general education teacher as she introduces systems of equations, the second group might be working with the special educator to review last week's information, and the third group might be working on reports about famous mathematicians. Examples given by students will vary from those given here.