Arranging the Classroom Environment for Co-teaching

Space always comes up as a barrier to co-teaching. Using co-teaching structures requires teachers to consider the classroom environment and make decisions prior to implementing the structures. If you try to co-teach without planning for the room arrangement it can become frustrating. We recommend sketching out your room and making a plan.

Consider Factors Affecting Environmental Decisions:

• Number of students in class
• Size and shape of classroom
• Type of furniture
• Voice volume of teachers
• Individual student characteristics
• Number of class periods teachers co-teach
• Arrange at least two teaching stations (whiteboard, table or desks, materials)

Determine Areas For:

• Large group instruction (team teaching)
• Two medium groups (parallel or 2-stations)
• Three small groups (station, alternative)
• Cooperative groups of four students

Pre-establish Student Groups (for 1 grading period):

• 3 heterogeneous groups (e.g. shapes)
• 2 heterogeneous groups (e.g. A, B or odd-even)
• Collaborative groups of 4 students (e.g. teams)

Flexible Groups Based on Assessment:

• Readiness/Skill groups (based on pre-test)
• Interest groups