Morah Tovi Admon Co-teaching Program

Looking at a classroom, even when empty, tells a lot about the learning environment. Are students facing the same direction to be receivers of information or are there centers and desk-clusters, meeting areas and reading nooks created to support students in moving through routines, working together, and supporting more independent learning. This later description is the innovative and engaging classroom that is Tovi Admon’s.

Methodology: Co-teaching

As I searched for a method to best teach my classes, I observed classes taught with two teachers and spoke to educators using this method.

With the advice and guidance of the Head of School, we chose a physically large classroom. We divided the two grades, first and second, into 4 small groups. We took into consideration   student levels, social issues and disabilities. The General Studies teacher and I created a curriculum and lesson plans that would support co-teaching and a multi-level program.

Goals of the program:

1.    The ability of two or more educational professionals to work together in a joint delivery of instruction.
2.    Shared space with multi age groupings.
3.    Diverse group of students.
4.    Curriculum developed to include students with disabilities in the general education classroom.
5.    Further enrichment opportunity for accelerated students.

Challenges:

1.    Difficulties creating lesson plans for 4 groups
2.    Pacing of lessons
3.    Coordinating with another teacher
4.    Maintaining class rules and establishing routines
5.    Teaching students how to follow and complete their own work from students’ individual folders.

Process: Creating a learning community

1.    Every 20 minutes the groups switched.
2.    Two groups worked with two teachers. Two groups worked independently.
3.    Four levels and/or methodologies. Diversity of learning experiences
4.    Teaching skills, problem solving, team work, independence in learning and collaborating with peers.
5.    Children follow their own schedules from individual folders.
6.    Art stations and free stations for enrichment

Successes

1.    Students working collaboratively without any behavior or engagement issues.
2.    Ability of students to work independently.
3.    Reaching students on their own levels.
4.    Getting to know each student
5.    Children, teachers and parents partners in teaching

6.    Teacher satisfaction, creativity and growth

Links for the Co-Teacher program videos

Co teaching:

Co teaching is:

Tovi’s explanation for the program:

Recommendations from parents and teachers:

Tovi Admon is a Judaic/Hebrew 2nd grade teacher, she is teaching at Hillel Academy since 2013. she is very successful with the Co-teaching program. she moved from Israel to US 12 years ago, and been in education for the last 17 years.