The document discusses co-teaching in kindergarten classrooms. It defines co-teaching as two or more teachers sharing teaching responsibilities within a general education classroom. The benefits of co-teaching include developing respect for differences, creating more opportunities for differentiated instruction, and increasing student achievement and pro-social behaviors. Teachers also benefit from co-teaching through developing collaborative skills and increasing their instructional knowledge. Parents see benefits like a more rigorous curriculum and increased communication with teachers. The presentation measures the success of co-teaching through student and parent surveys and analyzing academic growth.

1. Co-Teaching In The Classroom Presentation by Matt Halpern & Pat Douglass Kindergarten teachers at Windham Primary School

2. Action Research PROBLEM: The large kindergarten class size limits teacher access to all students. Will a team teaching model, which includes more opportunities to increase student to teacher ratio increase student achievement and pro-social behavior for all children?

3. Definition of Co-Teaching Co-teaching is… an approach to program delivery where two or more teachers share teaching responsibilities within a general education classroom. when both teachers interact with all of the students at different times. using various arrangements of students and group sizes, so each student’s educational potential is recognized.

4. Definition of Co-Teaching Co-teachers are jointly committed to “our” students, not “yours” and “mine.”

5. A Shared Vision “Personal Characteristics” Courageous Conversations Instructional Beliefs Roles and Responsibilities Classroom Management Planning Problem Solving Pet Peeves

6. Team Teaching Both the teachers share in the instruction of students. One teacher may lead the discussion while the other models or demonstrates. Team teaching affords the ability to model quality team and interpersonal interactions.

7. Team Teaching Strengths Allows both teachers to blend their teaching styles and expertise Challenges Requires more planning Requires high levels of trust and commitment

8. Benefits of Co-Teaching For students , co-teaching… develops respect for differences creates more opportunities for differentiated instruction enables development of friendships provides affirmation of individuality develops empathetic skills provides peer models Co-Teaching benefits students, teachers, parents, and the learning community .

9. Benefits of Co-Teaching For teachers, co-teaching… develops an appreciation for diversity creates a deeper awareness of the importance of each individual teacher’s craft enhances instructional knowledge base teaches collaborative problem-solving skills develops teamwork skills increases ways of creatively addressing challenges

10. Benefits of Co-Teaching For parents, co-teaching… promotes a more rigorous curriculum develops an appreciation for diversity positive social and academic benefits for their children Increases opportunities for parent/teacher communication Adds an additional professional perspective of their child’s abilities and needs

11. Thinking Outside The Box More opportunities for differentiation through flexible groupings when all students are present and during specials that are not scheduled at the same time (interventions for struggling learners and enrichment for higher learners)

12. Thinking Outside The Box The curriculum moves on even if one teacher is absent An increased chance of finding out whether there is a breakdown in communication Students are exposed to different ideas and perspectives Students learn to relate to more than one type of teacher personality Discipline is easier – partners have the ability to consult with each other and plan a strategy

13. Thinking Outside The Box One teacher can assess students while the other leads the class Grading and evaluation are enhanced because there are two views of each student A student’s social, emotional, and academic needs can be discussed with another person who has an equal understanding of the child Situations that develop without warning can be given immediate attention

14. Action Research: Measurement How will the success or limitations of the Team Teaching in Kindergarten model be evaluated? Survey of students at the end of the school year. Survey of parents at the end of the school year. Analyzing student academic growth from the beginning to end of the school year. Analyzing the percentage of students who meet or exceed the kindergarten benchmarks.

15. Action Research: Goals Increased student to teacher ratio and community building in classroom. Increase academic growth in kindergarten. All regular education students will meet or exceed kindergarten benchmarks 85% regular education students will meet or exceed the reading benchmark (DRA 2) Increased social growth in kindergarten. Parent Survey data – 75% of parents surveyed will report an improvement in pro-social behaviors in their child Modeling learning behavior easier with two adults present. Acceptable social behavior can be demonstrated casually because the two adults will treat each other with mutual respect, something many children may be seeing for the first time Two adults can model ways of resolving differences with children

16. Academic Growth in Literacy Percentage of students meeting or exceeding end of year benchmarks as of Trimester 2 Generates/Recognizes Rhyme – 83% Identifies Letters (Upper and Lower) – 98% Letter Sounds – 100% PSF/DIBELS (Manipulates Sounds in Words) – 64%

17. Parent Survey Data Results When you first learned your child would be in a classroom with two teachers, what was your response?

18. Parent Survey Data Results How do you feel now (as opposed to the beginning of the year) about your child being in a team taught classroom?

19. Parent Survey Data Results How do you feel about your child’s social growth this year?

20. Parent Survey Data Results Would you say there are more advantages or disadvantages to a team taught classroom?

21. Parent Survey Data Results Would you say there are more advantages or disadvantages to a team taught classroom? More Disadvantages Not really sure how to answer, sometimes I think it might be easier on the child with a smaller group, less chaos, especially for Kindergarten when they aren't used to being in school. The large class size is of concern. Again, I'm happy about the number of teachers and the exposure to different teacher's styles. However, it's the number of students in the classroom that is disappointing.

22. Parent Survey Data Results Would you say there are more advantages or disadvantages to a team taught classroom? More Advantages I think the teachers are able to be more organized, sharing the responsibilities. I'm sure there are some children who learn better from one of the teachers and others who learn better from another. The more staff members in the classroom, the better. Co-teachers can play off of each other's strengths and weaknesses to offer students a more well-rounded experience. She has more than one person to look up to & make proud in the classroom which I think has motivated her even more. She also has gotten used to learning and staying focused in a larger group successfully from the start.

23. Parent Survey Data Results More Advantages I believe the teachers have more time to be spending with each child to help develop their skills. With 2 teachers there is always 1 keeping their eyes on the children. The environment seems to encourage peer learning and has been very positive both socially and academically. More one on one time.

24. Parent Survey Data Results More Advantages I believe the teachers have more time to be spending with each child to help develop their skills. The team learning for her has been great. She tells me all about what Mr. Halpern does and then goes on to talk about Mrs. Douglass. She is going to miss you guys so much next year. Simply put: Two heads are better than one. I feel my child has really grown this year, and having 2 teachers with different styles has really added to my child's experience in kindergarten. I was initially anxious hearing of the large class size, but it really has been a wonderful and enriching experience for our child!!