Jigsaw Procedure

1. Divide the chosen text into manageable sections.

2. Arrange participants into groups so there are the same number of people in each group as sections to read. Assign the sections to each member.

3. Participants read their section independently, looking for key points, new information, or answers to questions.

4. Each member in turn shares his/her important points or summaries of the text.

5. Have participants independently write/reflect on their own understanding after the discussion.

6. Debrief: Have groups or individuals share insights and discoveries. Did the group process help members gain an understanding of the whole text? What worked well for the group? Are there discussion skills the group could improve? Are there any lingering questions or misconceptions about the topic?

Example

Reading Assignments (“Expert” groups) for Science lesson on digestive system

• Reader #1 – Text 1 (The Mouth)

• Reader #2 – Text 2 (The Esophagus)

• Reader #3 – Text 3 (The Stomach)

• Reader #4 – Text 4 (The Small Intestine)

After reading, readers get together in topic-alike groups to compare notes and ideas. They determine importance, discuss the main idea(s), and develop a clear summary to share with others. Then, participants gather in their “Jigsaw” groups to share their notes and summaries. Jigsaw groups are given a task that requires the application of all pieces of information gathered from each expert.