Full Description
'The valuable information and numerous strategies and resources make this a must have book for all teachers striving for effective collaborative relationships' - Spencer J. Salend, Professor, SUNY, The College at New Paltz General and special education teachers working side by side on a daily basis must move beyond basic communication to improve collaborative relationships in and outside the classroom. Author Sharon F. Cramer delves into the art of the collaborative process through a series of practical exercises coupled with relevant research, and outlines a plan to make collaboration a life-long part of teaching. Pre-service teachers, in-service teachers, and staff developers alike can use the activities in the book as is or adapt them to fit their own unique circumstances. Whether used for personal improvement or by a group for professional development purposes, these invaluable set of relationship-building tools will empower teachers and give them the motivation, understanding, and skills to transform unsatisfactory co-teaching relationships into productive, truly collaborative relationships. Special features include: o Case stories and data from among 1,000 collaboration projects supervised by the author o Up-to-date research, including an overview of current literature on collaboration o "Idea try-outs"-step-by-step reflection activities for promoting independent, innovative thinking o "Project try-outs"-structured research and interview activities that provide readers with focused ways to test their collaboration skillsWhen teachers become curious, motivated learners, not only will they discover the many benefits of collaborative relationships with their peers, but they will also enrich the learning environment for their students.
Contents
Preface to the Second EditionAcknowledgmentsAbout the Author1. Why Can't We Just Be Friends?Becoming Proactive: Improving the School Climate Through CollaborationOverview of the Collaboration ProjectPrincipals of CollaborationDistinguishing Between Collaboration, Consultation, and TeamingConclusion2. Background: Making the Case for CollaborationLegislative MilepostsCollaboration: Relevant Trends and EventsConclusion3. Ingredients for Successful Collaboration: Intrapersonal and Interpersonal CharacteristicsIntrapersonal Foundation for CollaborationInterpersonal Foundation for CollaborationProblem Solving: Intrapersonal and Interpersonal SkillsBringing It All Together4. Evaluating Your Situation Honestly: Appraising Your School as a Context for CollaborationAssessing Resources Available to CollaboratorsFactors Promoting CollaborationApplications to Use in Your School SettingCommunitywide Collaboration Experiments5. Developing an Effective Collaboration Strategy: Half Empty or Half Full?Collaboration Component ChecklistsCompatibility ChecklistSuccess ChecklistConclusion6. Designing a Plan for Change Starting With YouGuidelines for the Collaboration ProjectDesigning a Self-Referential Plan for CollaborationOverview of Pragmatic GoalsDevelopment of Pragmatic Goals and ObjectivesIncorporating Expertise: Marshaling Resources7. What Now? What Works and What Doesn't When CollaboratingEffective Communication Strategies: Something for EveryoneAccomplishing Pragmatic Goals and Associated Evaluation MethodsMaking Use of Your Collaboration Resource NetworkConclusion8. Evaluating the Success of Your Plan: How Can You Tell?Objective Measures of ChangeSubjective Measures of ChangeConclusion9. Self-Encouragement: Keeping Yourself GoingSelf-Talk: The Cornerstone for Self-Encouragement or Self-DiscouragementLooking for the Positives: Positive Reinforcement for YourselfSample Projects Incorporating ReinforcementTeaching Yourself to Look: Observing YourselfConclusion10. Summing Up the Outcomes: What Have You Accomplished?Assessing Success: How Did Your Plan Work Out?Communication HabitsProblem-Solving HabitsCooperative Work EffortsConclusion11. Generalizing Your Plan to Others: Improved Collaboration With Parents and Family Members of Your StudentsKey 1: Understanding Family DiversityKey 2: Developing Practical Communication HabitsKey 3: Build on What You've Already LearnedConclusion12. Generalizing Your Plan to Others: Improved Collaboration With Members of Your Interdisciplinary TeamThe Life Cycle of Your Interdisciplinary TeamAdditional Use of TeamsConclusionReferencesIndex
