Lesson Study

Lesson Study is a structured process in which a group of teachers identify an instructional problem, plan a lesson using primary resources, teach the lesson (one member of the group teaches the lesson while the others observe), evaluate and revise the lesson. Then another teacher teaches the modified lesson and the cycle continues.

Through collaboration and an emphasis on lesson revision, the insights of several teachers are brought to bear on the problems of effectively teaching challenging historical concepts. Lesson Study methodology is widely used in Japan and has been credited for the shift from “teaching as telling” to “teaching for understanding” in Japanese mathematics and science classrooms. Cohort I participants will apply the "Lesson Study" process to develop, teach, analyze, and refine American History lessons in classrooms. A focus on reading, writing, historical thinking and support for English Learners will be part of the lesson design. Teacher Leaders will support the Lesson Study process in districts throughout the school year.

TAH teachers will post their lessons from lesson study on the web site. You can read more about lesson study in the context of a previous TAH grant in the article "Lesson Study" and the Teaching of American History: Connecting Professional Development and Classroom Practice Social Studies Review, Spring 2005 by Stan Pesick.