Lesson Study

OVERVIEW OF PRESENTATION

Introduction

Project Procedure

Project Experience

Reminders for Future Lesson Study Projects

The APEC-SEAMEO (RELC) International Seminar

Language Applications in Lesson Study Track
SEAMEO Regional Language Centre, Singapore

19 21 April 2010

Teaching Comparative Adjectives

(Year 3 English)
in a Malaysian
classroom:
Lesson
Study Project
Dr. Chin Mei Chin

Curriculum Development Division

Ministry of Education, Malaysia

Ms Kwa Jin Nee

Taman Putra Perdana National Primary School
Selangor, Malaysia

Introduction

LESSON STUDY
A process a small group of teachers
collaboratively plans, teaches, observes, revises
and reports results on a single class lesson.
A teaching improvement activity
Addresses one or more student learning goals
The lesson plan describes not only what the
teacher might say or do, but also how students
are likely to respond to the lesson activities.

In lesson study, teachers:

design a lesson plan based on their

ideas about how students learn

observe student learning when the

lesson is taught

analyze observations of student

learning after the lesson is taught

use information about student

learning to revise the lesson

APEC-RELC 2010 Lesson Study Project: Malaysia

Teaching Comparative Adjectives (English Language)
SK Taman Putra Perdana, Puchong, Selangor
1 researcher (MOE) and 3 English language teachers
Feb - March 2010
Research Sample: Three Year 3 Classes (age 9)
3 Merak & 3 Merpati: Ms Kwa Jin Nee
3 Kelicap: Ms Norazian Mat Anuar
Methodology:
Group Discussion
Classroom Observation
Document Review
Instrument:
Classroom Observation Form
Reflection Notes Guide

LP
INS

Project Procedure

3 Teachers

Researcher

25 Feb 2010
Discussion on the lesson study project and
lesson plan for the project
26 28 Feb 2010
Write lesson plan (LP1) and prepare teaching
and learning materials - Ms Kwa Jin Nee

2 Mac 2010
- Use the lesson plan (LP1) for Class 3 Merak
- Observe lesson using a classroom observation form

- Analysis and
discussion of lesson
- Revision of lesson
plan and
materials
-

Write reflection

3 Mac 2010
- Use revised lesson plan (LP2) for Class 3 Merpati
- Observe lesson using revised observation form

- Analysis and
discussion of lesson
- Revision of lesson plan
and materials
-

Write reflection notes

4 Mac 2010
- Use revised lesson plan (LP3) for Class 3 Kelicap
- Observe lesson using revised observation form

- Analysis and discussion

of lesson
- Write reflection notes
- Share lesson plan (LP3)
with other teachers

Project Experience

Lesson Plan

Lesson Plan
Year:
Topic:

3 [9-year olds]
Sea Creatures [Comparative Adjectives]

Goals: i.

to understand and follow simple instructions such as

blow, start, stop
to understand the concept of comparative adjectives
to perform a simple chant

ii.
iii.
LOs:

1.4.2
2.1.5
2.4.3
3.2.1
3.6.4

Listen to and follow simple instructions to do something or

make something
Chant rhymes and sing songs pronouncing words clearly
Recite simple poems and sing songs with expression and
appropriate gestures
Recognise and read out whole words
Pick out words that show comparison

Set Induction
GROW!
i.
ii.

4 pupils are asked to blow balloons

Comment on the activity using
comparative adjectives
[e.g. size of the balloons]

Presentation [Activity 1]
Vocabulary exercise
i.
ii.

Some pupils will be given picture cards which they

have seen in previous lessons
Each of them will take turns to show their picture
cards to their classmates and name the sea
creatures on each card

Presentation [Activity 2]
I Am..
i.
ii.

Narrate a dialogue between two sea creatures

using figurines. Pupils listen.
Question and answer session pertaining to
comparative phrases.

Presentation [Activity 3]
Comparative Adjectives
i.
ii.

Put up sentence patterns containing comparative

adjectives.
Explain concept:
- adding -er than
- doubling last letter and adding -er than

Production
Chant: I Am..
i.
ii.

Put up chant. Recite and pupils follow.

Divide pupils into two groups. Groups to
chant the dialogue.

Closure
Comic Strip: I Am..
i.

Pupils complete the comic strip of the

dialogue I Am.

Improvements

Lesson Plan
Year:
Topic:

3 [9-year olds]
Sea Creatures [Comparative Adjectives]

Goals: i.

to understand and follow simple instructions such as

blow, start, stop
to know
different
of comparative
adjectives
understand
theforms
concept
of comparative
adjectives
to perform a simple chant

ii.
iii.
LOs:

1.4.2

Listen to and follow simple instructions to do something or

make something
2.1.5 Chant rhymes and sing songs pronouncing words clearly
2.4.3 Recite simple poems and sing songs with expression and
appropriate gestures
3.2.1 Recognise and read out whole words
4.3.2
missing
simple texts such as
3.6.4 Complete
Pick out words
thatwords
show in
comparison
instructions,
directions, descriptions, rhymes, stories and
other texts
[with guidance in the form of words and pictures]

Presentation [Activity 3]
Comparative Adjectives
i.
ii.

Put up sentence patterns containing comparative

adjectives.
Introduce
different forms of comparative adjectives:
Explain
concept:
- adding -er than
- doubling last letter and adding -er than
- replacing last letter y with -ier than

Teaching
Material

Sentence Cards

Size of sentence
cards used in the
first lesson

Size of improved
sentence cards in
subsequent lessons

Reflections

Ms Kwa (conducted LP1 & LP2 and observed LP3)

It was very useful to have input from the

observers
[my
colleagues
and
the
researcher] to better improve my lesson
plan. This lesson study project could save
teachers time as the prepared teaching
aids and worksheet can be shared. I also
discover that this Lesson Study method
has afforded me an opportunity to think
deeper about my own teaching strategy
and methodology.
In the course of
discussing with my colleagues, I was able
to come up with ideas to improve on my
class instruction, strategy, etc. In a way,
lesson
study
provides
professional

Ms Norazian (conducted LP3 and observed LP1, LP2)

I am very happy and delighted to

be involved in this lesson study
project.
I learnt new teaching
strategies and skills during the
first and second observations. The
group discussions help me to
adapt and produce new ideas in
teaching to make the lesson more
interesting. It is also good input
for teachers as they can sit
together
and
discuss
better
solutions for teaching difficult

began. We werethree teachers who had never

worked together in terms of teaching. I thought it
unlikely that we would be able to create and work
effectively toward a common goal. I also questioned
whether we would have enough of a common frame
of reference to offer useful feedback to each other.
We began with a rather fitful attempt at goalsetting. At first, this activity felt hopeless but in
retrospect, it was in fact the perfect way for us to
begin. As we talked of our dreams for ourpupils and
the gaps that prevented their fulfillment, we were
getting to know each other. This discussion allowed
each of us to share our visions and frustrations, and
it became apparent that despite our differences we
had a great deal in common. What seemed like
something of an aimless, philosophical discussion
actually created the beginnings of the common
ground from which we could work together. We also
created a pretty good goal - one that each of us
found worthwhile and that we were willing to extend
ourselves to achieve. Clearly, the value of lesson

Reminders

 One standard lesson plan may not be

workable for all classes. A teacher would
still need to adopt and adapt activities in the
lesson to suit the needs of the pupils in the
class.
Lesson Study is a continuous learning process
as it gives an opportunity to participating
teachers to emulate each others strong/good
qualities in teaching.
The Lesson Study method affords flexibility
in using the lesson plan.

Thank you