What is Lesson Study?
Lesson Study is a form of long-term professional learning in which teachers engage to systematically examine their practice with the goal of becoming more effective. Teachers work collaboratively in small groups to plan, research, teach, observe and critique a research lesson. This process deepens the interaction of colleagues by developing habits of self-reflection and critical thinking.
How-To Guide
Read about our Pilot Experience and learn more about benefits of lesson study in our How-To Guide.
Virtual Variation
Virtual Variation is a session we designed and deliver to share what we have learned and experienced through lesson study in Illinois. This session looks at what lesson study is (and is not), explores the benefits of lesson study, shares the results of our pilot lesson study, and discusses next steps for districts interested in facilitating a lesson study.
Lesson Study is a form of long-term professional learning in which teachers engage to systematically examine their practice with the goal of becoming more effective. Teachers work collaboratively in small groups to plan, research, teach, observe and critique a research lesson. This process deepens the interaction of colleagues by developing habits of self-reflection and critical thinking.
How-To Guide
Read about our Pilot Experience and learn more about benefits of lesson study in our How-To Guide.
Virtual Variation
Virtual Variation is a session we designed and deliver to share what we have learned and experienced through lesson study in Illinois. This session looks at what lesson study is (and is not), explores the benefits of lesson study, shares the results of our pilot lesson study, and discusses next steps for districts interested in facilitating a lesson study.
What does participation in lesson study look like?
Our process includes large group virtual training on what lesson study is and facilitation of each step of the process.
You and colleagues may create a team before joining the process based on grade-level interest. OR
You may choose to sign up as an individual and we will assign you a team to work with.
You and colleagues may create a team before joining the process based on grade-level interest. OR
You may choose to sign up as an individual and we will assign you a team to work with.
- Eight synchronous virtual meetings.
- Each team will meet in-person on the day of your team’s research lesson to observe, collect data on the lesson, and to have a post-lesson discussion immediately following the research lesson.
- The content specialists will be there to help with any questions you have synchronously during the meetings or asynchronously via email, phone, and google docs. As timing permits, the content specialists will attend each of the live research lessons and perform the role of “knowledgeable other.”
What is the cost to participate?
- Cost is $35 per individual. Travel to and from the Research Lesson will be the responsibility of the participants or their district.
- Cost is $100 per team for up to 10 members. Travel to and from the Research Lesson, if necessary, will be the responsibility of the participants or their district.
What are the outcomes?
- 16+ hours of professional learning that increase knowledge of subject matter and instruction
- Scheduled time to work on a single lesson with guidance from content specialists building stronger collegial networks
- A single detailed lesson plan and sketched out unit plan that can be used in each of the teacher’s classroom.
why lesson study?
- Lesson study encourages the development of many skills essential in education, including but not limited to:
- collaboration
- planning
- reflection
- data driven instruction
- integration of effective instructional practices
- investigation of available, reliable resources aligned to the CCSS
