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 creative and critical thinking, observed each other teach the lesson, and collaborated to revise
and re-teach the lesson. Teacher feedback and observations provided further qualitative and
quantitative information about the effectiveness of the Lesson Study approach. All participants
completed the TC-C2TI and took part in an interview again at the end of the study. Findings
showed no quantitative difference in frequency of practices between teachers in the control
group and the lesson study group either before or after the Lesson Study. Lesson Study
Observation Checklists indicated an impact of the lesson study discussion process on instruction
within the Lesson Study group. Interviews revealed homogeneity in the methods, strategies, and
climates teachers employ to foster creative and critical thinking. Findings revealed climates that
promote creative and critical thinking are supportive of collaboration, trusting, and valuing of
creativity. This study concluded that the instruction of creative and critical thinking is primarily
influenced by four factors: the use of research-proven strategies that foster students’ creative and
critical thinking, teachers’ own definitions of and experiences with creativity, participation in
professional development activities that include dialogue and reflection such as the Lesson Study
approach, and a school atmosphere that values, supports, and encourages collaboration and
teacher-designed, student-centered instructional methods. This research recommends that
educational practice includes building teachers’ background knowledge about creative and
critical thinking, giving teachers practical, proven ideas that are easily implemented within the
existing curriculum, and employing the Lesson Study approach as a professional development
tool. This study also recommends further investigation of the stages of development of creative
thinking for students, the stages of development in teaching for creativity and critical thinking,
and differences between how creativity can be used by individual teachers and teams of teachers.