"Guides educational leaders in creating successful lesson study in American schools. The authors provide readers with a compelling rationale for the process, offer experience-tested tools, and suggest ways to address commonly-occurring challenges. This book will assist teachers, and those who support them, in understanding and implementing all phases of lesson study, from initial planning through sharing with others what was learned." (Dennis Sparks, Executive Director 2006-08-01)

"Rightly argues that the quality of education can be better enhanced through the powerful and practical learning inherent in well-done lesson study than 'teacher-proofing' and other attempts to change the surface features of schools. Teachers need to help set the agenda for learning that is focused on the problems of their classrooms, have an opportunity to collaborate, and observe why lessons do or do not work in order to improve student learning. No process affords a more comprehensive and powerful learning opportunity than lesson study." (Alice Gill, Associate Director, Educational Issues Department 2006-08-01)

"A powerful teacher professional development process that focuses collaborative teams directly on the classroom, and the perfect tool for teachers, professional developers and team leaders. Gives you everything you need to use lesson study to support teachers in thinking deeply about practice. I can't wait to start using Leading Lesson Study with the science teachers I work with!" (Roberta Jaffe, Science Education Coordinator, New Teacher Center 2006-08-02)

"Educators at all grade levels will appreciate the instruction that uses examples from US classrooms throughout." (California Bookwatch, March 2007 2007-04-11)

?Fulfills the subtitle?s promise to be a ?practical guide,? with numerous samples, examples, and worksheets. The authors have succeeded in creating a guide with rich potential to increase both the quantity and quality of lesson study work done in the United States.? (Education Review, November 2007 2008-01-29)

'Provides readers with a compelling rationale for the process, offers experience-tested tools, and suggests ways to address commonly-occurring challenges. This book will assist teachers, and those who support them, in understanding and implementing all phases of lesson study, from initial planning through sharing with others what was learned' - Dennis Sparks, Executive Director, National Staff Development Council

'A powerful teacher professional development process that focuses collaborative teams directly on the classroom, and the perfect tool for teachers, professional developers, and team leaders. Gives you everything you need to use lesson study to support teachers in thinking deeply about practice' - Roberta Jaffe, Science Education Coordinator, New Teacher Center, University of California, Santa Cruz

Use this team-centered approach to directly enhance teaching and learning in your school!

First introduced in Japan, lesson study has gained enthusiastic advocates in U.S. educational circles as a powerful, collaborative approach that brings teachers together as researchers into the science and craft of teaching and learning in their classrooms. Teachers work as teams to develop a lesson plan, teach and observe the lesson to collect data on student learning, and use their observations to refine their lesson. Participants build their sense of professional authority while discovering effective practices that result in improved learning outcomes for their students.

This "how-to" guide provides teachers, administrators, and team leaders with practical strategies, models, and tools. The book leads a beginning team through the phases of the lesson study cycle and provides an experienced team with new perspectives. Using examples from U.S. classrooms, this handbook:

· Encourages educators to generate and share knowledge

· Inspires a teacher-researcher stance

· Illustrates both the process and substance of lesson study

· Encourages collaboration

· Provides guidelines for avoiding common pitfalls

Leading Lesson Study is an excellent resource for both experienced and novice lesson study teams, administrators who want to start a lesson study program, and lesson study team facilitators such as instructional coaches and professional development providers.