Dear fellow Lesson Study educators and practitioners,

Global Education Resources, L.L.C. (GER) in New Jersey, USA, and International Math-teacher Professionalization Using Lesson Study (Project IMPULS) at Tokyo Gakugei University in Tokyo, Japan, are planning a two-week Lesson Study Immersion Program (LSIP) in Japan in the summer of 2012. Dates of the program are scheduled for June 25 (Monday) through July 5 (Thursday), 2012.

This immersion program is planned right before the 12th International Congress on Mathematical Education (ICME-12) conference in Seoul, Korea (July 8 to 15, 2012), so the participants might be able to combine the two trips.

During LSIP 2012, participants will immerse themselves in authentic mathematics Lesson Study in Japan. They will have the opportunity to observe several mathematics research lessons developed through Lesson Study in elementary and secondary schools, as well as participate in post-lesson discussions. All the research lessons and the post-lesson discussions will have simultaneous English translations by the experts at GER. In addition, the participants will have many opportunities to interact with teachers, students, and education professors in Japan. The LSIP itinerary will also include many opportunities for sightseeing and shopping in Japan.

This GER program was offered in 2003, 2007, and 2010. And participants of the GER LSIP programs reported that the LSIP experience was ?irreplaceable,? ?well worth the money,? and ?changed the way I look at education.? In fact we have several repeated participants to the program. The past participants of LSIP are active advocates, involved educators, and committed practitioners of lesson study in the U.S.

See reports and pictures from 2007 LSIP

Download Tentative Itinerary

Leading this study trip are recognized experts in Lesson Study, mathematics education, classroom teaching and learning, and the education system in Japan and the U.S. These leaders include: Dr. Toshiakira Fujii (Tokyo Gakugei University), Dr. Akihiko Takahashi (DePaul University), Dr. Tad Watanabe (Kennesaw State University), and Dr. Makoto Yoshida (William Paterson University & Global Education Resources).

See a short description of the trip leaders’ background

Purpose of This Trip:

1. To provide an opportunity for participants to learn, understand and experience first-hand how Lesson Study is conducted in Japan.
2. To foster future Lesson Study practitioners and leaders in the United States by helping participants not only to understand the organization and process of Lesson Study, but also to gain insight into how to conduct Lesson Study in more powerful and effective ways.
3. To reflect on our own professional development, teaching, and learning in the classroom in the United States by learning about the Japanese approach to professional development (Lesson Study), teaching and learning.

Description of Activities:

• A. Study Activities:
  • Observe and participate in Lesson Study in Tokyo area (English simultaneous translation and English translated lesson plans will be provided.)
    • Observe Research Lessons (at public schools and national schools)
    • Discuss with Japanese teachers the Research Lesson observed
    • Observe Research Lesson planning meetings
    • Observe different types of Lesson Study activities (school-based, pre-service, and at a national school attached to university)
  • Participate in lectures by leading mathematics educators in Japan
  • Visit schools and observe regular school activities
  • Learn about pre-service programs at a university
  • Engage in informal exchanges and conversations with Japanese educators and researchers
  • Participate in regular reflection and discussions with GER leaders
• B. Cultural Learning Activities:
  • Participate in sightseeing tours of Tokyo
  • Participate in dinner parties featuring authentic Japanese cuisine
  • Participate in optional tours (e.g. Kyoto and Nara)

Number of participants: Limited to 40 people

Program fee: $4300 (not including international roundtrip airfare)

• Travel expenses:
  • $2500 includes the following: transportation in Japan (charter bus and train); lodging; food (all breakfasts, few school lunches, and 2 dinners); and sightseeing in Tokyo City. Free internet access will be arranged for hotels in Tokyo.
    
    Please note that monetary exchange rate may affect the final travel cost.
• Tuition:
  • $1800: Including instruction, observations, discussions, and simultaneous English translation by GER leaders; English translated materials (e.g., lesson plans); invited guest lectures; Research Lesson observations; etc.

Notes:

• Each participant is responsible for making their own round trip arrangement to Japan. The Program fee does not include the round trip airfare to Japan. If you wish, our travel agency will work with you to make your travel plans to Japan.
  • Vanessa Connelly
    KIE / Kintetsu International ? New York Branch
    1290 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 900
    New York, NY 10104 U.S.A.
    Phone: (855) GROUPS-9 [855-476-8779]
    Fax: (212)-259-9655
    E-mail: mim@kintetsu.com
• Special arrangements can be made for people who want to stay longer in Japan. Please consult with our travel agency for help with travel arrangements before or after the program.
• If you plan to attend the program with a companion, please let the travel agency and GER know as soon as possible, so travel arrangements can be made to accommodate your preferences.

Application Process:

• A. Submit an Application Contact Information Sheet (1 page document)
• Download Application Contact Information Sheet
• B. Submit a short description of your past and present experiences or involvement in Lesson Study, and what you hope to gain from this program that will help you cultivate Lesson Study in the U.S. (Typed description limited to no more than 500 words.)
• C. At the following registration site, provide the personal information necessary for making your travel arrangements.
• Go to the LSIP 2012 Registration Page
  (http://www.seeuthere.com/lsip2012)
• D. Payment of a $250 deposit (non-refundable unless the trip is canceled by GER-- see below) Payment can be made by sending a check to the GER address below or by using the PayPal payment service, linked to the GER website.
• Make deposit payment with credit card (PayPal payment)
• E. The application deadline is February 12, 2012. Submission of 3 documents (indicated in A, B, and C) and the deposit need to be received by GER no later than this deadline.
• F. If the number of applications does not meet a minimum of 20 by December 19, 2011, GER reserves the option to cancel the 2012 LSIP trip. If the trip is canceled, $200 of the deposit of $250 will be refunded.
• G. When the number of reservations reaches forty (40) people, GER will close the application process and announce the closing on the GER website.
• H. Upon completion of the LSIP Application process, an official contract describing the payment schedule and cancellation policy will be sent to each applicant for his or her signature and timely return.

Contact Information (Email is the preferred method of contact):

Makoto Yoshida, Ph.D.
Global Education Resources, L.L.C.
37 Station Road
Madison, NJ 07940
Phone: (973) 410-0840
Fax: (973) 410-1603
E-mail: myoshida@globaledresources.com (best method of contact)
Website: www.globaledresources.com

Download this document (pdf file)

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37 Station Road, Madison, NJ 07940 • Phone: (973) 410-0840 • Fax: (973) 410-1603