SPS middle school conducts first lesson study

April 24, 2012

South End Middle School (SEMS) in Springfield, MA, conducted its first lesson study on April 11. Jamilla Jones, an 8th-grade English teacher, worked with a team of teachers across content areas to design a lesson which focused on conversation and gradual release. Both are areas of focus for the school. Following the lesson, the team met to debrief about the lesson and the process.

“Not only did we talk about trust between teachers and students but we also were able to establish trust among ourselves," said one participant. "We also targeted two goals - conversation and gradual release - to accomplish as a school.”

Another remarked, “It’s very valuable for teachers to see their peers in action and to reflect on the lessons.”

Cornerstone Senior Literacy Fellow Andrea Frasier, who has been leading the work at South End over the past year, provided support for the lesson study.