Jennifer, What you share here is exactly what my colleagues and I found going through lesson study. it was hard to communicate to administrators and other teachers how important and essential the study process itself is--not so much the product or final lesson. We found the repeated close examination of a lesson, combined with colleague conversation and trust, that is what led to a deep personal learning about instruction. The lesson and observation was just the vehicle. We also found that our learning infected all other areas of our instruction-so it really is not about designing the perfect lesson at all. And, just like you describe, the Japanese teachers claim it makes them well versed in all grade levels of instruction. I am so glad to hear you are having as positive a professional development experience as we had. Thank you for sharing it with us.
:)Bonita > I have shared a little about how the salad lesson worked for us, but really, > the impact comes not from having this product...this 'perfect' lesson... > that has been refined by teaching it over and over. The impact comes from the > > process...the learning that comes from working together to a common goal. > Giving > you the lesson plan isn't be the same as going through the process > yourselves. > > I can't sell this technique enough to you all...it is just a great way to > become a better teacher. I haven't learned so much since I went through the > National Board process and we have only gone through one cycle. It is an > intensely personal form of staff development. Hope some of you find a > colleague or > two to try it out ... > > Jennifer _______________________________________________ Mosaic mailing list [email protected] To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org. Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive.
