Posting #1: Co-teaching

Website: http://www.lilieonline.com/courses/inclusion/co-teaching.pdf

The link above will lead to a PDF file that is used in workshops the discusses the concept of Co-teaching in the classroom. The PDF gives an overview to the concept of co-teaching and the different models used. It also discusses the research behind co-teaching, the benefits of it, and even activities that could be used with each model. The PDF is full of information that would be beneficial for people with a range of experience/background knowledge with co-teaching. As I was reading through it, the language used throughout isn't extremely technical or difficult to understand, but it also isn't so simple that it waters-down the information either. It explains each concept in everyday language and provides enough information to fill in any information gaps a person might have when it comes to co-teaching. Also, the set up of the file is nice because it starts at the beginning and builds on itself to be more intricate and apply background knowledge to more intricate aspects of co-teaching (i.e.- specific models and activities used with those models.) There is also a table of contents at the very beginning of the file, outlining what section follows what, but also when you arrive at a new section that is broken down with another table of contents so the reader knows exactly what will be discussed in that section. It makes it easy for referencing back and I also believe it makes the document, which is long in length, less overwhelming; someone who either has no background knowledge of the concept or who isn't a strong reader could easily navigate this document and know exactly what they will be reading about as they read it.

I chose this document because the practice of co-teaching is becoming more and more prevalent in classrooms both in Kentucky and nationally and many parents are either just learning about it or have never heard it before. I feel that this document would be a good resource for parents to have because they can clear up any misconceptions they have about the concept itself and also have the resource to reference for themselves. Teachers and parents will be able to communicate effectively during conferences or meetings and parents will understand terms teachers may use about what is happening in their classroom. Also, I feel like this will give parents a clear understanding of the practices being used to teach their child and will know how to help facilitate learning at home.