This book evolved from the experiences of a pair of team teachers assigned to teach an entry-level physics class to a mix of general education and special education teachers. The authors, who are key figures in the science and special education fields, ask what strategies are needed to help both general education students and special education students’ benefit from co-teaching, and what types of approaches can be used for guidance.
There are two key terms used throughout the book. The term ‘game plan’ in an inclusive classroom is used as a metaphor to break the teaching year into three sets (pre-season, season, and post- season) in order to prepare students in terms of both science content and conducting safe yet stimulating laboratory work and demonstrations. The other key term is ‘co-teaching’, which refers to a professional relationship in which team-teachers communicate and collaborate to provide effective educational practices to both students with disabilities and students in regular classroom settings (Sileo, 2011). They note that while team teaching has become prevalent in America’s K-12 schools as a way to foster inclusion of children with special needs, it is still in its infancy in science classes.