Friday 9-9-11

     Usually, a support teacher comes into our classroom and lead teaches the writing lessons. She was out of town today so my mentor teacher and I took over writing. I felt like it was a really good experience in co-teaching. We have been doing a form of co-teaching all year so far, but usually one of us (whoever planned the lesson) still stands out as a lead teacher. Because we were working off of someone else’s plan that was not there, we were both able to carry a fairly equal amount of weight in instruction. We were teaching a lesson in editing, specifically the job of the “Grammar Guard,” who looks for grammar mistakes during editing. We were able to go along with the plan prepared for us, and because we were working well together, being able to feed off and build off of one another, we were able to stray away from the lesson with success whenever necessary. Frankly, it was fun being able to share the responsibility. I can see how it could be a miserable experience if two instructors do not complement one another and have two totally different views about a particular topic or how that topic should be addressed. However, my experience was not that. We bounced ideas off of each other, we didn’t interrupt, and we were even able to pull off some impromptu roll plays when performing grammar guard duties.

     While I’m on the subject of teamwork, I think this is a good time to talk about the overall fifth grade team at my school. I feel, and have even heard them state during meetings, that the fifth grade team works really well together. During data team meetings, as well as other team meetings, it’s been brought up that the fifth grade meetings run more smoothly than other grade levels, specifically because fifth grade home room teachers, support staff, and special education teachers work so well together. Having a collaborative can certainly make the overall process more effective, but when the collaborative works together well, it can be a powerful thing. I really enjoy the fact that, for the first two thirds of the day, there is more than one teacher (not including me) in the classroom or pulling out. Actually, during reading, there are three teachers every day, myself not included.