SFUSD Cross-Site Public Research Lesson at Leonard L. Flynn Elementary School

12/18/24 - SFUSD Cross-Site Public Research Lesson at Leonard L. Flynn Elementary School

Can you imagine school communities coming together through teachers that support each other in how they are implementing lessons in the classroom? Here in San Francisco, we don’t have to imagine – it’s a promising practice that’s growing among SFUSD elementary and middle schools.

On Dec. 18, 2024, SFUSD teachers, staff, community partners, and parents/guardians observed a 5th grade math lesson using the Teaching through Problem Solving curriculum and the use of lesson study as professional development. The lesson was a result of a collaborative research lesson planning with four teachers across different SFUSD elementary schools: Sanchez, John Muir, Daniel Webster, and Flynn.  

AJ Johnson ("Miss AJ"), a 5th grade teacher at Flynn Elementary School, led the public lesson. Teachers and audience members reflected on the question: 'How do we support students to engage collectively in productive struggle?'

After the lesson, there was a discussion by Knowledgeable other Dr. Akihiko Takahashi, one of the world leaders of Lesson Study research in mathematics, who shared observations about student learning and next steps for the team. In the afternoon, attendees went to workshops led by scholars from local universities and SFUSD. 

SFUSD is scaling a promising practice originated at John Muir Elementary School with the support of $4 million through a partnership between SFUSD and the City and County of San Francisco. Teaching Through Problem Solving is a math approach and lesson study is a professional development toward improving mathematics and literacy outcomes for focal student populations that is credited for the 3rd - 5th grade SBAC data growth for John Muir students, as well as early growth for Sanchez and Flynn students.  Positive attitudes about math are also a major goal for the program. For example, 95% of Miss. AJ's class at Flynn Elementary currently enjoys math!

The program has already been implemented by Willie Brown Middle School. It will be implemented by Webster Elementary School next.