Lesson study is a professional development program for teachers that originated in Japan. It focuses on improving teaching through a continuous cycle of setting goals for student learning, planning lessons collaboratively, conducting research by having one teacher teach while others observe and collect data on student understanding, and reflecting on revisions to the lesson based on results. The goal is gradual, incremental improvements in teaching quality over time through this collaborative, student-focused process of examining teaching practices and student thinking.

1. Reflecting on
Lesson Study
Dr. Mary Pat Sjostrom

2. 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

3. 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.

4. Lesson Study Cycle
Focus,
set goals,
Develop
lesson
Teach Lesson
Debrief,
discuss
Reflect

5. 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

6. Teachers’ Interests
Did you feel that the goals you chose for
your lesson study were important to
investigate?

7. Student-focused
How did the activities focus your
attention on student learning?

8. Research Lesson
In your lesson study work, how did you
act as a researcher?

9. Reflection
How did this process make you a more
reflective teacher?

10. Collaboration
Were you able to work collaboratively
with your lesson study group?