Lesson Study works best with rich subject content. This course offers step-by-step support to conduct a Lesson Study cycle on fractions, by providing fractions resources and research to examine.
Introduction
Whether experienced or new, Lesson Study teams face the challenge of finding high-quality resources to study and leverage into effective research lessons. This course provides full content support for an elementary-grades Lesson Study cycle on fractions.
The course is based on the fractions toolkit used by Lesson Study teams in a randomized controlled trial that significantly increased students’ fractions knowledge. (A research review identified the study as one of only two, of more than 600 studies reviewed, to demonstrate impact on students.)
To review the original fraction toolkit produced for the randomized controlled trial and funded by the Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education, Grant No. R305A150043, click here.
In this course, you will conduct a full Lesson Study cycle, as you:
- Examine fractions resources—including research, standards, curriculum materials, and lesson videos
- Solve fractions tasks and anticipate student solution methods
- Plan a fractions unit and teach at least one lesson within it as a research lesson
- Observe the research lesson, with a focus on student thinking
- Share and discuss data from the lesson
What is the Structure of the Course?
The chart lays out the course content and number of sessions for each part of the Lesson Study cycle. Download a PDF of the structure of the course here.
| Module | Course Content | Number of 1 - 1.5 Hour Sessions |
|
Lay the groundwork for Lesson Study |
Learn about Lesson Study, set agendas and norms for working together, and access a template to record your work | 0-2 sessions |
|
Explore fractions content and study student thinking |
Part 1 - Explore student challenges with fractions |
4-5 sessions |
| Part 2 - Examine different fraction models and investigate a linear model using the “Mystery Strip” | ||
|
Part 3 - Examine video and curriculum that introduces fractions using a linear model |
||
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Part 4 - Examine video and curriculum that introduces equivalent fractions through linear model |
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|
Design the research lesson |
Use learning from the Study phase to plan your fractions unit and research lesson |
2-3 sessions |
|
Conduct and observe the research lesson |
One team member teaches the research lesson, while others observe and record student thinking |
30 minutes + 1 class period |
|
Review learning from the research lesson and cycle |
Conduct a post-lesson discussion to share and discuss data from the lesson and an end-of-cycle reflection meeting, to consolidate learning from the cycle. |
1 session on same day as lesson 1 session up to 1 week later |
