December 27, 2020
It occurs to me... that there really isn't a right or a wrong place to dive into the collaborative cycle (co-plan, co-teach, co-assess, co-reflect, and repeat ^_^). I like to believe that I started dabbling with co-teaching. In retrospect... I actually started with co-habitating? in the same space... lol. Regardless... seeds have been planted and relationships are developing.
Then there was a face-palm moment! Sharing the physical classroom space (as opposed to pulling students out to the "ELL Room") is only a piece of collaboration. I would like to be more intentional and less reactionary. Without co-planning, I must always be on my toes and prepared to interject if there is an opportunity. I have done a lot of co-habitating. I used to feel pretty excited about it. Now that I know there is more, I feel excited about doing MORE.
Part of my 'more' is planting seeds. Seeds take time to grow and every action can help or hurt the growing seedling. I have marked homework, done the read aloud, supervised the class so the other teacher can get a washroom break. I have done copying and handing out school supplies. Collaboration takes trust and trust takes time. All of these actions that I can do in the classroom build trust.
I am a district ELL teacher. Everyone in my department works at 2 or 3 schools to get an equal share of the elementary-aged language learners in our district. This year I am soooo lucky to have enough students at a single school that I don't have to drive between sites. I really want to make the most of this opportunity. That being said, I still have students in 23 different classrooms... soon to be 24. Plenty of seeds to plant and nurture!
I set my profession goal for myself this year (more co-planning!) because I realized the TREMENDOUS impact that co-planning brings to students. When I get in at the planning level, I am able to insert language goals and strategies at the every-day-lesson level. It also normalizes language learning and ensures that ALL students have access to explicit language instruction and support.
I pulled out my collaboration books and started collecting notes. Is it at all surprising that I didn't have to go any further than Andrea Honigsfeld and Maria G. Dove's books? In fact, I barely left the yellow book- Co-Teaching for English Learners.
I just really want to be open and transparent with my colleagues. I want everyone to understand what I can do and how I can do it. I want to be an asset. I want to ensure that ALL students have access to challenging, high-quality & developmentally appropriate curriculum (Thank you Diane Straehr Fenner!)
Co-Planning Perks:
I love the notion of COMBINING EXPERTISE as opposed to increasing teacher capacity. Classroom teachers know their content and I know language benchmarks. When we co-plan, we each make sure that our expertise is reflected in the units and lessons. This ensures that instruction is deliberate and intentional.
Students win with effective co-planning. It plans for the needs of ALL learners. They also win because curriculum is differentiated and scaffolded for both curriculum proficiency and language proficiency.
Teachers win with effective co-planning. It ensures that both teachers are using common language (thus increasing teacher credibility and student access to curriculum). It creates SYNERGY between the teachers and enables teachers to learn from each other. It helps to clearly define the role of each teacher, too.
Everyone is going to want a piece of me, aren't they?!? This graphic will be handed out to my colleagues as my January newsletter. I am excited for the possibilities! My hope is to get a handful of teachers (2-4) that I can co-plan with regularly (once a month). I have my eye on a pair of grade 4 teachers because they often work together so 1 planning session will reach 2 classes. Other than that… I am actually struggling a bit. Who to approach- who is ready and open to the idea at this time??? I really want to be cognizant of the relationships I have right now and build from there.
I will follow up on this post in June and share my successes...
-Sherry
