Session Three

Lesson Study:

Peggy started the lesson by asking us if we knew anything about “Lesson Study.” Well, just by looking at the name we can figure out that it is to observe and critically analyze a lesson. Interesting!

The objectives for today’s session:

1.      Examine two case studies using lesson study.

2.      Identify factors of good mathematics teaching and learning for numeracy development in early childhood.

3.      Understand lesson study,

I liked the interactive and engaging approach Peggy used to share the knowledge and information about lesson study. We started by watching the first lesson (case study one) and critically looking at the lesson and teaching pedagogy. The lesson study is about finding out what factors support or  hinder  the research theme. We wrote down one item each on a post-it on what was good and also, what could be improved with the lesson. Then categorized the comments into:

1.      Sitting arrangement.

2.      Level of engagement.

3.      Use of materials.

4.      Flow and sequence of the lesson.

5.      Classroom management.

6.      Communication. – Teacher to student, student to teacher.

7.      Questioning

8.      Attitudes/Disposition

9.      Differentiated learning.

The first lesson (case study) focused on “more than or less than” for Kindergarten students. There were discussions on how to improve and make it more challenging for the high ability children (differentiated design of the task.) It was interesting to see how Peggy brought the task to a higher level.

Peggy asked us to explore cubes and construct a different structure with 5 cubes. We used both our creativity and thinking skills. I agree that math emphasizes visualization in the cubes. The cubes also help children learn the idea of conservation of numbers (no matter how the cubesare arranged, the number stays the same.) This was the introduction to the second case study which was a lesson for K1 students. The research theme: Explore different options to articulate their thinking and apply what they have learnt in new situations? The Focus: Constructing different structures/models with five cubes. We followed the same procedure as the first case study.  

It made me reflect that yes this is an excellent approach for teachers to  learn more about others, themselves and also, observe how children learn. Lesson study is the recent trend in professional development. Traditionally, teachers went for workshops, lectures and conferences.

However, this approach is: Teacher driven/initiated, Job-embedded (relevant to teachers’ area of work) and authentic involving their own students. Collaborating with fellow colleagues within school/center and beyond. It is a professional development process/tool that teachers are engaged in to systematically examine lesson plans.

Lesson Plan Study Flow:

Identify Research Theme (which is aligned with center’s vision and mission).

Plan Lesson

Research Lesson

Post Lesson

Lesson Plan Revision

Back to Plan Lesson

From Peggy I could really see the benefits from "lesson study" for both teachers, children, and the school. For example, collaboration, changes of mindset, scaffolding techniques, allwo teachers to study children's level of understanding and or misconceptions.

Thank you Peggy! Great job keeping all of us actively engaged.