5. Alternative Teaching                                                                                                                

In most class groups, situations arise in which a small group needs to work with one teacher while the larger group works with the other teacher. In alternative teaching, the large group completes the planned lesson while the small group either completes an alternative lesson or the same lesson taught at a different level or for a different purpose. This arrangement might take an entire class period, or it might be used for just a few minutes at the beginning or end of a lesson.

WHEN TO USE

• In situations where students’ mastery of concepts taught or about to be taught varies tremendously

• When extremely high levels of mastery are expected for all students

• When enrichment is desired

• When some students are working in a parallel curriculum

AMOUNT OF PLANNING

• High

SAMPLE APPLICATIONS

• The large group completes a practice exercise related to the concepts just taught; the small group receives additional direct instruction

• The large group checks homework; the small group is pre-taught vocabulary related to the day’s lesson

• The large group is working on projects in small groups; the small group is being assessed. All students will be assessed across two days.

OTHER COMMENTS

• For this approach to be successful, the purpose for the small group and its membership should vary.

*Cook and Friend (2004).  Co-Teaching: Principles, Practices, and Pragmatics, New Mexico Public Education Department Quarterly Special Education Meeting, Albuquerque, NM, April 29, 2004.