Just as a jigsaw puzzle is a collection of various pieces that come together to make a complete picture, the jigsaw method of teaching is a collection of topics, which will be fully developed by students before coming together to make a complete idea.
Start with your Home Groups: This group will eventually have a piece of the puzzle to create the WHOLE. **Needs to have the amount of students as its topics. EX. 5 Native American Tribes(needs 5 in each HOME Group)
Split into the Expert Group: This group is a collection of similar pieces. This group will discuss their piece of the puzzle in order to learn as much as possible and be able to re-teach the subject to their Home Group. EX. 5 Native American Tribes= 5 Expert Groups
Return Back into the Home Group to create the WHOLE PICTURE. All students will teach their part of the puzzle to the Home Group.
Assessment options may vary for older students: Jigsaw 2 may assess individual students, but may also test the Home groups and give an average. (The difference is in how the assessment is treated. In Jigsaw I, students are assessed individually and receive just one score. In Jigsaw II, quiz scores are given once to individual students, then each group’s scores are averaged to generate a group score. This builds in competition between groups and encourages students to work harder at helping each other learn the material well.)
Students are directly engaged with the material
Students gain practice in self-teaching
Students gain practice in peer teaching
Each student also has a chance to contribute meaningfully to a discussion
Blended Learning falls on a spectrum from Mostly Online to Mostly Face-to-Face and is fluid, always meant to enhance the learning environment. Where a lesson or strategy falls on this spectrum is up to many factors. Remember that your school's ITC can help brainstorm, answer questions, and/or help modify lessons or strategies. Reach out for additional support!