Lesson Study

Description:

Lesson Study is a professional development approach to instructional improvement that compliments Professional Learning Communities, Learning Teams, and many coaching models. In the lesson study cycle teachers collaborate to formulate goals for student learning and development, plan instruction designed to foster these goals, and observe and discuss selected lessons. While these may be simple ideas, lesson study is a complex process, supported by collaborative goal setting, careful data collection on student learning, and protocols that enable productive discussion of difficult issues.

An established provider of modified Lesson Study is the K-12 Alliance, http://www.k12alliance.org. Their professional development model known as Teaching Learning Collaborative (TLC) has been used in California schools for almost 10 years now. The TLC model is used in conjunction with content and pedagogy professional development sessions allowing teachers to integrate their new strategies into collaborative lesson design. A teacher facilitator, or coach, works with teams of teachers within or across districts and grade levels. Each facilitator is trained in the same content and pedagogy as other teachers but additionally trained to be an effective support, not an evaluator.

Results from research-grant funded projects in science professional development indicate repeated success with this model. Both Cohort 1 and 2 of the California Math/Science Partnership Grants are expanding the use of lesson study as an effective method to develop local teacher leadership and improve teacher knowledge and practice. Siskiyou County is pleased to be able to provide this to local teachers through our partnership with the Partners for Science Ca-MSP.

Training handbooks, experienced facilitators, model programs in California, a powerful research base, and statewide support from the California Math and Science Projects are adding to the network of resources. These are being used to implement this process, originally from Japan, in California and 28 other states. http://www.lessonresearch.net/

Components of the handbook Lesson Study: A Handbook of Teacher-Led Instructional Change, by Catherine Lewis include:

• Introduction to lesson study

• Insights into the questions, Why lesson study? Why now?

• Descriptions of actual practice and teacher experience

• Scheduling, conducting and supporting lesson study in US schools

• Common misconceptions

• Future of lesson study in the US

Lesson Study is about much more than good lessons, it is a balanced cycle of all these elements put to use in any reform/improvement process.

Lesson Study Knowledge:

Lesson Study Cycle that is

• Cohesive

• Balanced

• Focused on students

Content/Pedagogy Knowledge:

Access through

• Quality texts

• Standards

• Other materials

• Knowledgeable others

Personal/Collegial Stance:

• Teacher leadership

• Shared ownership

• Intrinsic motivation

• Efficacy/application

• Continuous improvement

The lesson, planned then taught, is just a vehicle for testing and attempting to meet a much larger goal. The goal usually centers on the paths students follow to learn with understanding and how content planning and teacher practice improve the student’s success. The planning of a lesson and its delivery provides teachers with a chance to do informed observation. Their goal in observing the lesson is very clear and targeted. The observations then inform teachers if their practice is, or is not, moving them closer to their goal.

Services Available through SCOE:

A general introduction and overview of Lesson Study using the handbook is available at present. Districts are able to access more in depth, ongoing training and support from a variety of sources with local facilitation.

• Districts in Butte, Shasta, Siskiyou and Tehama counties who are participants in the California Math/Science Partnerships (Ca-MSP)

• The California Math and Science projects also have models in progress to share

• The California Math Council and California Science Teachers Association have publications available via their website and sessions at their conferences

For more information, e-mail Marian Murphy-Shaw or call 842-8498.