Conduct a Lesson Study Cycle on Fractions

This course supports your team to conduct a Lesson Study cycle on fractions. Your team should include at least one grade 3-5 teacher who will be teaching a fractions unit.

HOURS:

15-20 hours

MATERIALS:

Your fractions curriculum, adding machine tape

Module 1 | Lay the Groundwork for Lesson Study

Conduct a Cycle Resources

If your team is new to Lesson Study, we recommend that you:
  • Look over Prepare Your Team, which focuses on the norms and logistics you need to have in place before beginning the Lesson Study cycle.  (If your team has a designated facilitator, they can look it over and bring to the group any elements needing your attention.)
  • Go to Conduct a Cycle and do Study Step 1.
  • Return to this course and resume from Module 2
Note: The Conduct-a-Cycle Resources will direct you to Study Step 2 after Study Step 1. Return to this course instead. If your team has experience with Lesson Study, we recommend that you
  • Make sure you have the following in place or visit Prepare Your Team to supply any missing elements:
    • A schedule to meet—about 6-8 hours before the first lesson of your fractions unit, ideally in weekly meetings of 1-2 hours
    • A system for keeping notes and carrying forward what you learn
    • Norms and roles (e.g., facilitator, note-taker) to support your team’s learning
  • Go to Conduct a Cycle and do Study Step 1.
  • Return to this course and resume from Module 2
If you are not working in a team, you can substitute “reflect in writing” wherever you see the word “discuss.” You may want to invite colleagues into some of the activities along the way—for example, ask them to observe students during one of your fractions lessons.