Lesson Study Communities: Increasing Achievement with Diverse Students

Educators have been examining the Japanese lesson study model for years, but dissimilar environments have prevented a widescale adoption of this effective form of professional learning.

Lesson Study Communities demonstrates how to translate each step of the Japanese lesson study process to your educational environment. Offering specific strategies that have been tested and successfully used with ethnically diverse students, this book incorporates a culturally responsive approach to curriculum, instruction, and assessment. Working in impoverished schools, Wiburg and Brown's program made significant progress toward closing the achievement gap.

Applicable to math, science, reading, language arts, and social studies programs, this implementation guide:

. Explains how to connect lesson study to school or district instructional goals

. Provides case examples and step-by-step guidance

. Reveals how lesson study can be integrated into daily work

. Offers extended learning activities and exercises

Addressing the challenge of changing student demographics, this book includes guidance on assessing readiness for lesson study, planning the research lesson, gathering data, modifying the lesson, and sharing findings.

Staff developers, teachers, and administrators committed to increasing student achievement will find this to be a significant stride toward ensuring academic success.