The Lesson Study Group

The Role of the Final Commentator

“When I was a novice teacher, I observed research lessons with experienced teachers. I worked so hard to observe the lessons carefully, but when experienced teachers shared their observations during the post-lesson discussions, I was always shocked. I had been in the same classroom, at the same time, with the same conditions. But how much those educators could see! I had never realized. It’s so important to develop one’s eye and hone the power of observation.”

— Dr. Akihiko Takahashi

Associate Professor of Elementary Mathematics, DePaul University, Chicago, IL

Good Final Commentators

Typically final comments for a research lesson last between 15-40 minutes and follow a sequence:

1. Thank the instructor and team. Begin with appreciations to the instructor and team, noting that their willingness to open up their classroom teaching build the education profession.
2. Start with lesson strengths. Share one or more strengths of the lesson. Note what you learned from the lesson plan and instruction.
3. Dive deeper. After sharing a few positive learnings, dive deeper into the content area, observations of students, the lesson design, or another entry point that is key, given your observations.
4. Target growth. Understanding the team’s aspirations —and giving a purposeful and reachable next step—is what distinguishes great commentary. What will help this team grow? Ideally, team members should feel they have learned something important from your commentary, and should be eager to act on what they’ve learned and to continue lesson study.
5. Thank the instructor, team, and observers again. Express gratitude for the learning made possible by the instructor and team, who generously opened up their practice.

Developing the Role of the Final Commentator

Effective final comments:

• show the connection between theory and practice
• help teachers to learn how to reflect on teaching and learning
• include ideas and concrete examples to support the school and teachers advance the school’s research
• highlight the joy of collaborative study and of making the school a place for the staff to work together on the research theme

(from Dr. Akihiko Takahashi’s presentation on 10/30/2015, reproduced with permission.)

Recommended reading:

TBD

To develop your own practice as a final commentator, we suggest the following:

1. choose a topic and grade level from the list below
2. download and review the unit/lesson plan and write down some key ideas to support the focus of your observation when you watch the lesson
3. watch the classroom clip/s from the lesson and take notes
4. use your notes and consider any key issues you want to highlight as you prepare your final comments and write a brief presentation plan, then
5. watch the final comments provided for the lesson you selected and compare these comments with your own thinking, noting how you might add to or revise your reflections.