This article explains principles of cooperative teaching using the analogy of a "team effort" to include special needs students within the general education classroom. Columns contrast "what it isn't" and "what it is" for the following aspects of cooperative teaching: (1) establishing the ground rules (e.g., it's not a fad but is an evolution); (2) planning and scheduling (e.g., it's not having unplanned visits but is scheduling visits); (3) teaching in the same environment (e.g., it's not being responsible only for my kids but is recognizing joint responsibility for all the kids); and (4) sustaining the relationship over time (e.g., it's not thinking that students are the only learners but is realizing that the adults are learning as well). (DB)