Japanese Lesson Study Summary

Monday, July 8, 2002

What we did:

1. Brainstormed Algebra Topics (completing the square, concept of changing quantities, meaning of solutions on graphs, slope as rate of change, exponents with meaning, meaning of variables).
2. Chalk-Talk (Write main topics on sheets of paper; everyone writes their own thoughts about each topic on a sticky note and posts it, then people read each other's ideas and "rebut")
3. Narrowed topics to concept of changing quantities and slope as rate of change.
4. Look outside our group for ideas: Internet search for lessons and "hook questions" related to our topics

Highlights of Discussion

1. We decided we would like to follow the Japanese lesson model (hook question, observe student work, kneading of student ideas, summary)
2. Chalk talk benefits: give rebuttal, ownership of ideas was removed

Resources

1. Problems with a Point
2. The Math Forum's Problems of the Week (They store old solutions both right and wrong, so that you can see how students thought about that problem).

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