Co-Teaching That Works: Structures and Strategies for Maximizing Student Learning

by Anne M. Beninghof

Guaranteed success for the co-taught classroom For the increasing number of teachers working in co-taught classrooms, this book provides practical ideas for defining teacher roles, planning lessons, providing effective instruction, and maximizing the value of each team member. Former co-teacher and national presenter Anne Beninghof shares stories, and real-life co-taught lesson examples that emphasize creative yet time-efficient instructional strategies that lend themselves beautifully to the co-taught classroom. Teachers and instructional leaders at all levels and in a wide variety of content areas will find this book replete with valuable co-teaching guidance so that success is guaranteed. This user-friendly, comprehensive book is filled with concrete ideas teachers can implement immediately in the classroom to boost student learning and engagement.

Genres: Teaching, Education, Nonfiction, School

272 pages, Paperback

First published December 19, 2011

Reviews

[Garrett Zecker · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another technical education manual that I picked up for some professional development – something I do once or twice a year. I think much of what is covered here really places emphasis on Admin’s role in needing to make the time needed to ensure effective use of multiple educators in the same classroom, be it for SPED or ELL or SDI (Specially Designed Instruction – per student) reasons. But ultimately despite all of the options and great suggestions throughout, it is up to admin and upper admin to make decisions that shift the school culture to prioritizing these effective strategies. Time, money, and staffing are the big things that stand in the way – or at least it might also be important to mention that it is often top-down management / micromanagement that undermines the ability to do this where school and education structures should be bottom-up.

One of the more interesting and distracting parts of this book have little to do with the well-researched and applied information that is organized so that any school with a desire to change can do it no matter the circumstances, BUT the strange culinary metaphors in the opening chapters that appeared to drop off (or at least become inconsistently attached) by the fourth or fifth chapter. It was confusing and weird, but then by the time the book went on I kinda missed it as it made some dry topics a little more.... palatable?

Anyway, only for educators and really I think most upper admin and direct admin need to read this, implement it, and then have educators read it. Otherwise, it is useless and classroom educators just wish it was something they could do.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anne Beninghof is clearly passionate about providing engaging, rigorous, and targeted instruction to all learners. In this book, she communicates her passion for using co-teaching as a model for delivering that instruction. Beninghof doesn't ignore the challenges that schools face when trying to incorporate co-teaching. Time, staffing, and resources are all serious issues. Anne offers practical advice and effective strategies for how to provide outstanding co-teaching services even when difficulties are present. I enjoyed Anne's creative analogy of a "co-teaching cafe that has a delicious, healthy menu that is satisfying to every customer"!

[Kate Philbin · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is worthwhile reading about the different models and looking through the activities in the Appendix. So, I gave a star for each. Otherwise the text seems outdated (mentioned Asperger's) and is filled with "this can work if teachers give up their own time" ideas. It's another text that states the obvious about teaching (and life in general - who knew people may avoid conflict especially at work?!).

[Shelly Carman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am assigned to co-teach for the first time in the 2022-2023 school year which is beyond scary for me as I won't be receiving any training before starting. Grrr!

This book makes me feel slightly more prepared. There are good ideas for before beginning as well as changing during the middle. I liked all the specific examples and supports.

I hope my co-teacher will be patient as I learn to give them control of my classroom and navigate this new skill.

[Tina Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book the summer before my first co-teaching experience and it has given my co-teacher and I a great start to understanding how to be prepared for the upcoming year and a look at the different models, of which we chose two to focus on. I feel this book will be a valuable resource for us throughout the school year as well.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful reminder of the different variations of co-teaching. The best part of the text are the questionnaires and checklists that help you plan and stay productive when you co-teach.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

“It’s hard to get away with anything because there’s alway one of them watching us all the time!” said one student in a co-taught classroom. That statement in itself may be enough to convince many teachers to try co-teaching! Since I will be co-teaching with all 29 classroom teachers in my building this year, this will be my main resource on which to build the collaboration and communication with each of them.
Practical suggestions for every phase of implementation are included, as well as research to support them. This book includes ideas that can easily and quickly be used, as well as more in-depth strategies and techniques. I especially appreciate the many checklists that are included, which also include a checklist for students to provide input on the experience of having two teachers. How often do we overlook student’s input?
Particularly helpful are the different models of interaction between the teachers, which helped me identify what might work best for my staff. Some readers of this book see planning time as an issue, but with the help of google docs (that all members of my staff have been using for several years) and Atlas Rubicon (that some of us are piloting this year), I have been able to see ways these tools will help us.
With this book, I'm getting excited about the changes in the upcoming school year. Now, if I can only get the book back from my principal...

[Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beninghof has developed a well written book that addresses the benefits of co-teaching. This comprehensive guide defines and states the research behind co-teaching. Informative resource with practical applications that teacher can use today in the classroom. The material presented in Part Two: Looking Through the Co-Teaching Kaleidoscope clearly speaks to the various models of co-teaching. Part Three: Creating A Unique Design for Working Together covers the pros and cons of co-teaching in various classrooms. There are clear and immediate takeaways in every section of this book. A must read for every K-12 teacher.

[Lynn]

I thought this book was a very good resource for co-teaching. It offers logical, clear and easy procedures to put into place in order to accommodate students in the classroom and support their learning from two specialties in education. The book always looks at the generalist who will be in ever classroom, then switches the specialty that will be teaching with them. Whether the class contains a special education teacher, ESOL teacher or physical therapist as well as speech pathologist, there is a place for you in the classroom. I thought this book was very friendly and nice.

[Luisa Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A group of teachers in my building will be co-teaching next year, and I joined them in reading this book as preparation. I co-taught at my previous school and recognized several elements in the various co-teaching models explored. The book offered excellent specifics to be immediately applied in the classroom, and there are several good lesson ideas in the appendix at the end. Even though I've done this before, the book prompted me to evaluate positives and negatives about past practices. Good, solid ideas and advice.

[Diana Pettis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Jodi Corbeil for recommending. I am trying to come up with a good plan for co-teaching next year and this book really helped me organize my thoughts. I liked the end where there were chapters designed for co-teaching with speech and language, gifted and talented teacher, paraeducator, and special educator. If you are looking for a resource on co-teaching I would recommend this text!!!

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book of resources for educators implementing co-teaching or looking for new ways to spark growth in their classrooms. The great catch, as the author discusses, is time. It takes a creative planner to make this work.

[Paul Sutliff · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is so out of date and recommends unproven methods that only work in the perfect situation. I have been a Special Education Teacher for 15 years. It is rare that I find something I do not recommend. Don't waste your money!

[SSC Professional Library]

Co Teaching Category

[Mills College Library]

371.148 B4674 2012

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Realistic and practical co teaching tips. End of book has a number of interesting learning strategies.