Reflecting onLesson Study

Dr. Mary Pat Sjostrom

Lesson Study

Lesson study originated in Japan, where it was known as jugyokenkyu. In this professional development program, teachers are engaged inLooking at student thinkingThinking deeply about mathematics Examining their teaching

Goal

Lesson study is much more than a way of planning lessons. The goal is gradual, incremental improvements in teaching over time, a continuous process of educational reform.

Lesson Study CycleFocus, set goals,

Develop lesson

Teach Lesson Debrief, discuss

Reflect

Steps in Lesson StudySet goals

What qualities do you want students to develop? (e.g., problem-solving ability, confidence)

What mathematics will the lesson address?Plan the lesson as a group (in lesson study this can take several

months; we’ll have about 3 weeks)Teach the lesson - one teacher, with others observing (we’ll have

to use video) Debrief, discuss, and revise the lessonTeach the revised lesson (another class, another teacher)Repeat the cycleReflect and share the results

Teachers’ Interests

Did you feel that the goals you chose for your lesson study were important to investigate?

Student-focused

How did the activities focus your attention on student learning?

Research Lesson

In your lesson study work, how did you act as a researcher?

Reflection

How did this process make you a more reflective teacher?

Collaboration

Were you able to work collaboratively with your lesson study group?