Japanese Lesson Study A professional development model used widely in Japanese elementary schools. “The Japanese lesson is whole class- student centered. It is focused on the students, paying attention to what moment they learn something.” Linda Fisher, Noyce Foundation

Steps Form research study group Agree on broad long-term goals Agree on lesson/content goals Study lessons, strategies, and/or approaches Plan lesson collaboratively Predict student responses Agree on data to be collected during lesson— should focus on the students and short and long term goals

Steps continued One team member teaches lesson while the rest of the team records data and videotapes Team discusses lesson with the instructor starting—focus is on how students respond to the lesson rather than the teacher A revised lesson is planned Lesson is re-taught by another team member and the cycle is repeated

Lesson Study Post-Lesson Activities Research Lesson Planning Phase RESEARCH LESSON Actual classroom lesson; attending teachers study student thinking, learning, engagement, behavior, etc. 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(s) that Foster Long-Term Goals and Lesson/Unit Goals 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. Figure 1

Contrasting Views of Professional Development Traditional Begins with the answer Driven by outside “expert” Communication flow = trainer to teacher Hierarchical relations between trainer and learners Research informs practice Lesson Study Begins with a question Driven by participating teachers Communication flow = teacher to teacher Reciprocal relations among learners Practice is research

Suggested Readings Available at A Lesson is Like a Swiftly Flowing River. A Lesson is Like a Swiftly Flowing River. Lewis, C. & Tsuchida, I. (1998). A Lesson is Like a Swiftly Flowing River: Research lessons and the improvement of Japanese education. American Educator, Winter, & Brief Guide to Lesson Study by Catherine Lewis

Lesson Study on the Web Lesson Study Group at Mills College / / This site has videos, articles, books and resources online and for sale Lesson Study Research Group Northwest Regional Education Lab Lesson Study Communities Project