Japanese Lesson Study: Ideas for Improving Mathematics Teaching by Frances R. CurcioReview by: Cathleen M. Zucco TeveloffThe Mathematics Teacher, Vol. 95, No. 9 (DECEMBER 2002), p. 733Published by: National Council of Teachers of MathematicsStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/20871205 .

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PRODUCTS Prices on software, books, and materials are subject to change. Consult the suppliers for the current prices. The comments reflect the reviewers7 opinions and do not imply endorsement by the National Council of

Teachers of Mathematics.

From IMCTM Individual NCTM members re

ceive a 20 percent discount on

NCTM publications. Free cata

logs of NCTM publications are available by sending e-mail to infocentral@nctm.org or by writing to NCTM. To order, visit the NCTM Web site at www.nctm.org/catalog or call

toll free, (800) 235-7566.

1906 Association Dr., Reston, VA 20191-1502, (800) 235-7566; www.nctm.org.

This videotape and accompanying user's guide are the result of a seminar held in Japan following the Ninth International Congress of Mathematical Education, in

August 2000. The purpose of the set is to expose the American mathematics education commu

nity to the concept of Japanese lesson study, which is typically practiced in the elementary and middle grades and involves collab orative planning, teaching, and observing; analytic reflection; and ongoing revision.

The videotape and guide focus on the design, execution, and

analysis of a grade-2 exploratory, hands-on lesson with pentomi noes. This lesson's objective is for students to integrate repeated addition of the number 5 with a

spatial-visualization exercise of

covering up different figures with

pentominoes. The videotape is well formatted

and enthusiastically narrated by the author. Because the videotape is only 7:25 minutes long and high lights the demonstration lesson, I

strongly suggest reading the user's

guide, which contains necessary background information, before

viewing the videotape. This guide, however, does not contain much detail on the collaborative thought process used in revising the demon stration lesson, nor does it contain the revised lesson.

Regardless of these few limi tations, this videotape and user's guide are good resources for preservice preparation and in service professional development. They can be successfully used to facilitate discussion and even

experimentation with Japanese lesson study. I recommend these instructional materials because they increase understanding on how lessons are developed collab oratively in another culture and how nontraditional, nonroutine

problems can be used in inquiry based learning? Cathleen M. Zucco-Teveloff, Trinity College, Hartford, CT 06106.

The skill sets give students addi tional opportunities to practice algebraic skills related to the real world applications. The problem sets enable students to assume the roles of the professionals who are

spotlighted in the various career fields. The investigations require data collection and analysis. Be fore using the software, Internet

Explorer should be installed on the computer.

The videotape introduction, skill-set questions, real-world

problems, investigations, and

whole-group discussions can easi

ly be completed in one 45-minute session. My second-year algebra students particularly enjoyed the lessons entitled "Roller Coasters," "Wind Sails," "Spacecraft Propul sion," "Cheetahs," and "First One in the Park." Algebra in the Real World:

Staff Development and Teaching Guide offers suggestions on con

ducting algebra institutes in indi vidual schools or counties. The workbook contains reproducible sheets defining variables, func tions, expressions, equations, relations, and patterns found in the sixteen highlighted careers.

This kit focuses on linear and

quadratic functions, matrices, rad icals, and rational expressions, making it the perfect complement to your existing algebra curriculum. First- and second-year algebra students should enjoy the activi ties and benefit from the program's implementation. The materials

may also be used in higher-level courses to review algebraic con

cepts and explore exponential and trigonometry functions ?

Susan E. Hvizdos, Wheeling Park

High School, Wheeling, WV 26003.

From other publishers

Algebra in the Real World: Staff Development and Teaching Guide, 2001. Resource kit includes two videotapes, a print guide, and a CD-ROM, $195. The Futures Channel, 4801 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 250, Los

Angeles, CA 90010.

The authors state in the foreword to this guide that algebra "is the

language that makes it possible to describe and analyze some of the most intriguing phenomena of our

world," setting forth the rationale for this teaching tool. The fast

paced videotapes present scenar ios highlighting the importance of

algebra in sixteen diverse career

fields, including engineering, astronomy, sports photography, wind-sail design, research super vision, science, invention, and horticulture.

As students explore the soft ware, they are introduced to skill sets, real-world problems, and in

vestigations associated with the careers featured in the videotapes.

Changing the Faces of Mathemat ics: Perspectives on Indigenous People of North America, Walter G. Secada, ed., 2002.283 pp., $25.95 paper. ISBN 0-87353-506 5. National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, 1906 Association Dr., Reston,VA 20191-1502, (800) 235-7566; www.nctm.org.

This collection of articles present ed by NCTM addresses issues of mathematics and pedagogy for in

digenous people of North America. The authors establish the theoreti cal underpinnings for these issues at the beginning of the book. This section is followed by an abundance of interesting student activities connecting indigenous mathematics and lifestyles with standard state and provincial

mathematics curricula. Lessons

suitable for elementary, middle, and high school students are included. I found that the ideas

presented fit well into the mathe matics curriculum, especially the

topics in geometry, measurement, ratio, and proportion. This text is an interesting reminder to all teachers to be mindful of each child's cultural identity? Patricia Daniel, North Atlanta

High School, Atlanta, GA 30318.

Japanese Lesson Study: Ideas for Improving Mathematics

Teaching, Frances R. Curcio, 2002.30 pp. user's guide, 7:25 minute videotape, $19.95. ISBN 0-87353-528-6. National Council of Teachers of Mathematics,

Ghaznavi's Squares: Featuring Pascal and Fibonacci

Sequences, Mansour Ghaznavi, 2000. Approx. 35-by-22-inch wall chart, $15+ $5 S&H (Maryland residents add 5% sales tax).

Vol. 95, No. 9 December 2002 733

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