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 in

Looking at student thinking Thinking 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 Cycle

Focus, set goals,

Develop lesson

Teach Lesson

Debrief, discuss

Reflect

Steps in Lesson Study Set 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 lesson Teach the revised lesson (another class, another teacher) Repeat the cycle Reflect 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?