Purposeful Co-Teaching: Real Cases and Effective Strategies

"A valuable desktop reference for all educators devoted to increased student outcomes within a positive, effective co-teaching partnership. Each chapter contains practical strategies and tips to take you from Monday to Friday!" -Julia R. Wachal, Special Education Consultant Grantwood Area Education Agency, IA "One of the best books I've read on what co-teaching really means and how it is implemented in the classroom. The authors present instructional methods and interpersonal communication skills that co-teachers can use to solve typical issues." -Michael Hazelkorn, Chair and Professor of Special Education University of West Georgia Create powerful teaching partnerships that promote success for every student in inclusive classrooms! How can teachers deliver an extensive curriculum and still meet the various needs of an increasingly diverse student body? This resource demonstrates how co-teaching collaborations can effectively promote success for each learner. Purposeful Co-Teaching integrates the vital components of interpersonal skills, content knowledge, instructional design, and teaching philosophy to guide educators toward the smooth collaboration of a full, mature co-teaching relationship. The authors also provide research-based, field-tested instructional strategies for using big ideas, visuals, mnemonics, formative assessment, and more, within a collaborative teaching context. Additional resources include: Chapter activities and checklists for planning lessons Case studies from elementary and secondary teachers in various subject areas to illustrate the realities of co-teaching Real-world resources such as books, videos, and helpful Web sites Ideal for both general and special education classrooms, this indispensible resource gives co-teachers the practical, proven methods they need to help students make connections, stay engaged, and become independent and successful learners.

Table of Contents:
Preface Acknowledgments About the Authors 1. Taking the Plunge: What′s Co-Teaching All About? 2. Common Issues and Practical Solutions to Co-Teaching 3. Teaching So They Understand: Co-Teaching With Big Ideas 4. Teaching So They Remember: Co-Teaching With Mnemonics 5. Teaching So They Make Connections: Co-Teaching With Visuals 6. Teaching So They Become More Independent: Co-Teaching Using Study Skills and Learning Strategies 7. Teaching So They Are Engaged: Co-Teaching Using Student Involvement 8. Teaching So They Can Be Successful: Co-Teaching Using Formative Assessment 9. Putting It All together: Co-Teaching With Integrity References Index

About the Author :
Greg Conderman is full professor of special education at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois, where he teaches methods and collaboration courses for elementary education, secondary education, and special education majors. He was a middle and high school special education teacher and special education consultant for 10 years before entering higher education. He has authored over 70 articles on instructional methods and collaboration, which have been published in special education and general education journals. He is a frequent presenter at local, state, and national conferences. He has also received numerous teaching awards for excellence in instruction at the college level Val Bresnahan is an adjunct instructor of special education at Northern Illinois University, where she teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in learning disabilities and inclusion. Bresnahan has taught elementary, middle, and high school students in special and inclusionary environments, and she has been a learning facilitator and a speech-language pathologist. In addition to teaching college courses, she is a middle school co-teacher in language arts and social studies in a central Illinois suburb. She has authored books and articles on vocabulary instruction and co-teaching and is a frequently invited presenter on reading and language skills. Theresa Pedersen is a general education middle school language arts co-teacher in Rockford, Illinois. She has years of experience as an elementary education teacher, middle school resource teacher, high school special education teacher, and college instructor. She has co-authored articles on inclusion and student teaching. She has received awards for her excellence in instruction at the college level and was the recipient of the student teacher of the year award during her internship semester.

Review :
"This powerful co-teaching book will help teachers to present curricular information in many creative ways. It is a treasure chest of effective research-based techniques and strategies for teachers who want to connect effectively with all students.” "A must-have for any teacher, new or veteran. It is an eye-opening look at what co-teaching is and how to make your co-teaching team as effective as it can be. You could read this book tonight and put it into practice tomorrow!" "This book is a compilation of great instructional strategies for all teachers and a handbook for co-teaching. An essential read for teachers who want to improve their practice, especially for those who find themselves co-teaching with colleagues." "One of the best books I′ve read on what co-teaching really means and how it is implemented in the classroom. The authors present instructional methods and interpersonal communication skills that co-teachers can use to solve typical issues they face." "Presents a model of co-teaching that blends instructional methods, interpersonal skills, content knowledge, teaching behaviors, philosophy of teaching, and your co-teaching stage with a focus on student achievement. The book immediately engages readers by presenting scenarios followed by practical, research-based solutions to address instructional issues." "A valuable desktop reference for all educators devoted to increased student outcomes within a positive, effective co-teaching partnership. Each chapter contains practical strategies and tips to take you from Monday to Friday!"