Upper School Grant 2017-2018

Collaborative Team Teaching (CTT)

Amy Choi & Pam Ambler

START WITH WHY

Collaborative team teaching is valuable for many reasons including:

• Organizing units around themes, problems, or student questions - blurring disciplines
• The ability to break students into smaller groups, as well as opportunities for 1:1 learning
• Pairs bring a wider knowledge base and a greater variety of pedagogical approaches
• Collaborative teachers provide immediate observation and feedback to each other, improving the quality of teaching, learning and sense of community

Building on the lessons learned from the first year of Humanities 9, the Upper School launches Humanities 10, as well as nine new interdisciplinary courses this fall. As MVx calls for more interdisciplinary instruction, curriculum, and assessment, team teachers require (and have requested) increased guidance and support. We have a chance to do something truly unique and special.

START WITH QUESTIONS

What makes a strong partnership?

What discussions and conversations need to be facilitated?

What are the non-negotiables of collaborative team teaching?

How can we support course development?

What are some different models of collaborative team teaching?

When and how often will the whole group of CTTs meet for check in and professional learning?

What is the difference between a “PLC” and a collaborative team planning period?

How will CTTs assess learning? Avoid “mommy/daddy” issues with students? Break into smaller groups?

Are there any student routines and norms that should be pervasive across CTT classes?

What are contingency plans for substitutes when one partner is out? Both?

DISCOVER

Conduct research. Gather resources. Create Lists of Do’s and Don’ts. Here are a few primers:

Collaborative Team Teaching: Challenges and Rewards

Team Teaching: Advantages and Disadvantages

Team Teaching Benefits and Challenges (Use and Expand on these 10 Commandments)

EMPATHY INTERVIEWS

Interview experts and users. Network. Distill the secrets of their experiences for us. Jill Akers @IBPBLJill

ITERATE

Schedule time to share progress w/Chip & Meg. One hour in June or July. Receive support and feedback to help iterate your deliverables. In person or google hangouts. (Available June 5-16, 26-28, July 24-28)

DELIVERABLES

• Facilitate a 90 minute, pre-planning workshop for all Collaborative Team Teachers that includes:
• A Google Presentation outlining:

• Documentation of 2-3 empathy interviews each (teachers, students, experts)
• Schedule of support meetings for all CTTs (date, time, location, topic), facilitate w/USL
• Distill key tips and strategies from important research and articles (and provide links)
• A definitive list of CTT “10 Commandments”
• Design multiple exercises, role plays, protocols, and case study scenarios for CTTs