Jigsaw

Effect Size 1.20

Definition

The jigsaw technique is a method of organizing classroom activity that makes students dependent on each other to succeed. It breaks classes into groups and breaks assignments into pieces that the group assembles to complete the (jigsaw) task.

Types

Jigsaw II - Individuals' scores are averaged into their group for a group score
Jigsaw III - Group review before the quiz is given
Jigsaw IV - A reteaching is built in after the quiz

Steps

Organize students into a group of 4-6 people.
Divide the day’s reading or lesson into 4-6 parts, and assign one student in each group to be responsible for a different segment.
Give students time to learn and process their assigned segment independently.
Put students who completed the same segment together into an “Expert group” to talk about and process the details of their segment.
Have students return to their original “Jigsaw” groups and take turns sharing the segments they’ve become experts on.
Have students complete a task or a quiz that’s reliant on them having understood the material from the contributions of all their group members.

Teacher: Facilitates the arranging of groups, explaining of roles, and timing for each portion. When the students are in groups for steps 4 and 5, the teacher should walk among the groups and lend support or explanation where necessary.

When to Use

Any content area with any type of passage or word problem

Benefits

jigsaw method allows the teacher to break students into groups and assignments into smaller pieces, all for accomplishing tasks with more detail and collaboration.
The jigsaw method gives students a sense of ownership and belonging – feelings hard to experience when working alone
Jigsawing requires students to listen and learn, and the group is rewarded when each individual contributes their skills and knowledge to the whole.
Students enjoy a higher sense of ownership themselves and a greater trust in their peers

https://www.teachhub.com/jigsaw-method-teaching-strategy

Preparing for Literature Circles with a JigsawStudents in Kyle Halle-Erby's senior seminar class prepare for literature circles in groups organized by role. They begin the class in heterogeneous reading groups, but then move into role groups to prepare for the literature circle. Each group is assigned one of four roles. Students use each other to prepare for their role in the discussion. Once prepared, students move back to their heterogeneous groups for the discussion.

Collaborate to Solve Compound InequalitiesEighth grade algebra teacher Kevin Cuccaro uses cooperative grouping and a jigsaw strategy to structure student exploration of solving compound inequalities.

Jigsaws: A Strategy for Understanding TextsAs an introduction to learning about persuasive speeches, 8th grade ELA teacher Julie Manley has her students analyze how the argumentative elements appear in a piece of persuasive writing. She divides her class into groups and has each group look at the text through the lens of one argumentative element, noting how that element is used. Students work collaboratively to closely read the text and become experts on one element. The groups present their findings to the class, allowing students to learn from each other and examine how all the argumentative elements are used in the text.

Resources

Jigsaw Teaching Strategy