This guide and accompanying videotape are a product of the seminar "Analyzing the Teaching of Mathematics in Japan and the United States" held in Tokyo, Japan, following the 9th International Congress of Mathematical Education in August, 2000. The purpose is to introduce the concept of Japanese lesson study to the American mathematics education community. The videotape captures the essential elements of lesson study such as collaborative planning, lesson observation, analytic reflection, and ongoing revision. The User's Guide supplements the videotape by providing some background information about lesson study and implications for professional development in the United States. The guide also contains some resource materials including a translation of the detailed plan of the grade 2 lesson featured in the videotape, a translated transcription of excerpts of dialogue between a teacher and his pupils that occurred during the lesson, a selected bibliography and a list of lesson study web sites, and templates summarizing ideas related to Japanese lesson study that are ready for use at professional development sessions. (KHR)