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What is Lesson Study?

In Japan, teachers improve their teaching through "lessonstudy," a process in which teachers jointly plan, observe,analyze, and refine actual classroom lessons called"research lessons". Lesson study is widely credited for thesteady improvement of Japanese elementary mathematicsand science instruction. Since 1999, lesson study hasrapidly emerged in many sites across the United States.

http://www.lessonresearch.net/index.html

If you’d like the presentation emailed to you, there will beinstructions at the end of the presentation.

Exploring the Benefits ofLesson Study

Heather Brownhedi0201@me.com

Thomas McDougalTFMcDougal@LSAlliance.org

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Lesson study (授業研究）

• Lesson study ishow Japaneseteachersimprove theirteaching.

Benefits for TeachersBecoming lifelong learnersCreating engaging lessons and unitsGaining insights from other teachers/schoolsBecoming more reflective math teachers with

immediate feedback on lessonsStarting to think about school as a whole instead

of own classSeeing self as a professional that can institute

change in the classroom and the largercommunity

Learning that Lesson Study is a tool to introducenew ideas to learn students’ strengths

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Typical Process of the Lesson Study

Defining the theme/goal Planning the lesson Research lesson Post-Lesson Discussion Report writing

REPEAT REPEAT REPEAT

Choosing a Topic

With whatconcepts arestudents havingthe most trouble?

What topic couldmost greatlyaffect their longtermachievement?

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Choose a Topic with YourGroup

5 Minutes

Be prepared to share both your topic andyour rationale.

Posing the TaskAdvances and exposes the students’

thinkingProvides appropriate rigorAllows for multiple methods

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Propose a task for your topic

15 Minutes

Be prepared to share your problem.

Anticipated Students’Responses

Consider all possible ways the studentsmay approach the task

Both correct and incorrect solutionsshould be considered

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Anticipate Students’Responses

10 Minutes

Teacher’s Support

Looking at the Anticipated Students’Responses, how will the teacherreact/question/support the student?

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Teacher’s Support

10 Minutes

Group Presentations

2 Minutes per group

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Lesson Planning

Kyozai-kenkyu - Research of MaterialsSupport from TeacherNecessary MaterialsNeriage - Summing UpEvaluationBoard Plan

Why observe live lessons?

Understand student thinking and learningprocess during a lesson

Collect data to backup these pointsDetermine how the plan of the lesson was

received by the studentsEngage in a rich discussion due to the many

observers experiencing the same lessonExperience multiple vantage points of the

same lesson to create a common vocabulary

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Post-lesson Discussion

Panel discussionLesson planning team speaks first, then

any other observersKnowledgeable othersLesson is revised based upon

observationsThe cycle begins again

Benefits for Students

Student-centered classroomEngaging lessons and unitsLearn to explain their thought process

in writing and verballyView the value of life-long learning

through example

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Research Lesson Participants

The Lesson Study CycleLesson Study Group

Lesson PlanningGroup

Developing a lesson plan

Revising the lesson plan

Research LessonKenkyu Jugyo

Post-Lesson DiscussionKenkyu Kyogikai

Other Sub Groups’ Members

Teachers from the other schoolsin the same district

Teachers from the other schooldistricts

New Idea for Teaching and Learning

Revising the lesson plan andexamine in own classroom

Reexamine the lesson in ownclassroom using the lesson plan

Courtesy ofAkihiko Takahashi

Personal Experiences withLesson Study

Adlai E. Stevenson High SchoolChicago Lesson Study groupVoices in your headPower of observationTake-aways

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Email either of us to receive a copy of thepresentation or with any follow-up questions.

Heather Brown - hedi0201@me.comThomas McDougal -

TFMcDougal@lsalliance.org

It will also be available on the ChicagoLesson Study Group websitewww.lessonstudygroup.net