Lesson Study Resources
In this section, you will find resources to help you do lesson study
and learn about lesson study.
On the left, you will find materials created within our project, as
well as some specific links to materials available from other lesson
study sites.
Below you will find more general information about lesson study as
well as links to other lesson study sites.
About lesson study
Lesson Study is one of the most common forms of professional development
in Japan, where it occurs in all subjects primarily at the middle school
and elementary level. Teachers work in small teams, carefully and collaboratively
crafting lesson plans. The lessons are designed to meet both content
goals and general learning or affective goals for students—such
as working together to solve problems or being excited to learn about
nature. Since publication of the TIMSS (Third International Mathematics
and Science Study) reports, lesson study has received considerable attention
in the U.S. and has been highlighted by the National Council of Teachers
of Mathematics for its promise in helping teachers develop effective
pedagogy for standards-based problem-centered instruction.
In a typical cycle of lesson study, teachers meet in a small group to
set goals and then to plan a lesson. Teachers pay attention to the content
of the lesson and consider carefully how the details of the lesson will
help students learn. Once the lesson has been developed, one of the
teachers in the group teaches it while the others observe. They then
evaluate the lesson, reflect on its effects, and produce a revised plan.
Sometimes, the revised lesson is also taught and observed, and is subject
to a second round of reflection and final revision before it is recorded
for sharing with other teachers. Lesson study sometimes culminates in
a school-wide open-house, where teachers from many schools come to observe
lessons and participate in colloquia led by the lesson study groups.
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Links to general lesson study resources
Lesson Study Research Group – Teachers College, Columbia University
http://www.teacherscollege.edu/lessonstudy/
The Lesson Study Research Group website provides information, resources,
and networking opportunities to U.S. educators who are interested in
learning more about lesson study. This site provides readings, presentations,
tools for lesson study and work samples. It also provides links to many
other lesson study related sites.
Lesson Study in Japan, U.S. Science Education
http://www.lessonresearch.net/
This site comes out of an NSF-funded research project from the Mills
College Education Department that is focused on studying 4 models for
spreading coherent, inquiry based elementary science instruction. One
of the models being examined is lesson study. In addition to the research
information, this site provides videos and other publications related
to lesson study, as well as a resource list of other organizations involved
in lesson study.
Global Education Resources
http://www.globaledresources.com/
The mission of Global Education Resources (GER) is to improve elementary
and middle school mathematics instruction and learning by providing
workshops and consulting services to teachers, schools, and districts.
The Teaching Gap Website
http://www.lessonlab.com/teaching-gap/index.htm
The Teaching Gap: Best Ideas from the World's Teachers for Improving
Education in the Classroom, by James W. Stigler and James Hiebert, compares
math teaching practices in Japan and Germany with those in the United
States. The authors essentially introduced the U.S. education community
to lesson study as their proposal for how to improve education in the
American classroom.
Research for Better Schools
http://www.rbs.org/lesson_study/index.shtml
Under the Research and Resources section of the RBS website, you can
find an overview of lesson study and a description of lesson study's
connection to the TIMSS report. There are also links to additional resources
on lesson study.
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Links to other U.S. implementations of
lesson study
Bellevue, Washington
http://www.bsd405.com/lessonstudy.html
Bellevue, Washington has implemented a district-wide lesson study program
in all subject areas. Check out this site to find out how they are doing
it and what teachers and administrators have to say about their lesson
study experience.
Math Star, New Mexico State University
http://mathstar.nmsu.edu/lesson_study/
New Mexico State University is supporting teams of mathematics teachers
across the state of New Mexico. Check out this site to see videos and
sample lesson plans.
Loras College, Dubuque, Iowa
http://web.loras.edu/lessonstudy/index.html
Loras College is supporting elementary school mathematics teachers in
Eastern Iowa conducting lesson study in school-based teams. Check out
this site for extensive lists of lesson study and mathematics-related
websites.
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