Abstract
A CASE STUDY: USING LESSON STUDY TO UNDERSTAND FACTORS
THAT AFFECT TEACHING CREATIVE AND CRITICAL THINKING IN THE
ELEMENTARY CLASSROOM
Janet W. Adams
Drexel University, 2013
Chairperson: Joyce Pittman
This research focused on the factors that affect the instruction of creative and critical thinking at
the upper elementary level, using the Lesson Study professional development approach as a tool
in preparing teachers to create and foster a learning environment that promotes creative thinking,
and critical thinking and problem solving skills in students. This research identified and analyzed
emerging instructional practices that promote creative and critical thinking in students. This
research was a case study that used qualitative and quantitative methods. Eighteen elementary
teachers in fourth, fifth, and sixth grade in one rural/suburban school district were divided into a
control group and an experimental lesson study group, each with three teachers from each grade
level. All participants took part in semi-structured interviews, which provided qualitative data
about how teachers’ definitions of and experiences with creativity relate to their teaching of
creative and critical thinking skills, and the strategies and interactions teachers employ to foster
students’ creative and critical thinking. All participants completed a Teacher Checklist for
Creative and Critical Thinking Instruction (TC-C2TI), which provided quantitative data about
how frequently teachers engage in practices that foster students’ creative and critical thinking.
All participants attended an introductory training lecture on the topic of teaching for creative and
critical thinking. The experimental Lesson Study group designed an exemplary lesson to promote