March 13, 2008Version 1.0

Lesson StudyLesson Study

Presented by: Presented by: Darliny G. Katz, Instructional Reading Darliny G. Katz, Instructional Reading

SpecialistSpecialist

Florida Department of EducationFlorida Department of EducationDr. Eric J. Smith, Dr. Eric J. Smith,

CommissionerCommissioner

Lesson study is a professional development process that teachers employ to systematically explore their practice.

The goal of lesson study is to improve the effectiveness of the experiences that the teachers provide to their students.

Lesson study is a collaborative strategy for professional development in which a team of teachers plan and teach meaningful learning activities for their students.

It is “Teacher-directed”. As opposed to common workshops

Legitimizes the work that teachers do in classrooms

Professional development is student-centered

Promotes close examination of practice as the underlining basis for professional development

Encourages the creation of relationships andtrue collaboration with peers. (It builds capacity)

Research and preparation: The teachers in the team researches and examines teaching and learning in their classrooms. After this study the teachers come together as a team in order to create a detailed plan for the research lesson.

Implementation: A teacher teaches the research lesson in a classroom with students while other group members observe and gather student data related to learning goals.

Reflection:The group comes together to discuss their observations of the lesson, the data collected and the student learning that took place.

Improvement: Using the data that the team has collected, the team makes the appropriate corrections to the research lesson.

Second implementation and reflection: Another teacher teaches the research lesson in a second classroom while group members observe; this is followed by the group coming together again to discuss the data and student learning.

1. Define the problem.2. Plan the Lesson.  3. Teach the Lesson. 4. Evaluate the Lesson and Reflect on Its Effect.  5. Revise the Lesson.  6. Teach the Revised Lesson.  7. Evaluate and Reflect, Again.  8. Share the Results.  

Planning Lesson: Discuss Long Term Goals for Students’ Academic, Social

and Ethical Development Choose Content Area and Unit Discuss Learning Goals for Content Area, Unit and Lesson Plan Lessons that Foster Long-Term Goals and Lesson/Unit Goals

Research Lesson: Actual classroom lesson; attending teachers Study, student thinking, student learning, engagement, and

student behavior

Discussion of Lesson Discuss research lesson Focus on evidence of whether the lesson promoted the

long-term goals and lesson/unit goals Consolidate Learning Write report that includes lesson plan,

data, and summary of discussion. Refine and re-teach the lesson if desired. Or select a

new focus of study.

The lesson plan supports the lesson study process, by serving as a :

Teaching tool--it provides a script for the activities of the lesson.

Communication tool--it conveys to others the thinking of the teachers who planned the lesson.

Observation tool--it provides guidelines for what to look for in the lesson, and a place for the observers to record and share these observations.

All team members (required) Knowledgeable Others Your Principal Your Superintendent Other Teachers School Board Members

Hints for the observers: Observe the students, not the teacher! This is not YOUR lesson, it is the TEAM’S lesson. Observers should take notes, but should not interfere in the

lesson or provide assistance. Link your observations to lesson goals.

The facilitator begins the session with the teacher who taught the lesson, followed by team members and then observers.

The teacher should describe the goals for the lesson, then comment on what went well, and the difficulties and learning's from planning and teaching the lesson.

Team members should also address goals and speak to instructional decisions.

Team members followed by other observers should present and discuss the student data collected.

1. Think Deeply About Long-term Goals for Students

2. Carefully Consider the Goals of a Particular Content Area, Unit, and Lesson

3. Study the Best Available Lessons

4. Plan Lessons that Bring to Life both Short-term and Long-term goals

5. Deepen Subject Matter Knowledge

6. Develop Instructional Knowledge

7. Build Capacity for Collegial Learning

8. Develop the “Eyes to See Students”

March 13, 2008Version 1.0

Questions?Questions?