So I may have mentioned once or twice how I am a bit of a cooperative learning strategy junkie, and today I thought that I would share one of my very favorite cooperative learning activities with you. This strategy is the Jigsaw Method. Now, I have been using the Jigsaw Method since I was a student myself, but just didn't know the name of it, and I would bet that you are using some form of it as well.
Let's dive right in shall we?
The Jigsaw strategy has students study chunks of information in expert groups, and then teach their content to each other. Sounds like a dream huh?
The steps:
1. Split your students into groups depending on how many "chunks" of information you have. I would recommend 4-6 students in each group. These groups are called the Jigsaw Groups. This strategy works best when you have the same number of students in each group, but our classrooms rarely work out that way, so try to get as close as you can.
2. Give one "chunk" of information to each person in the Jigsaw Group, making sure that each group has one person in charge of each "chunk" of information. This student will be responsible for teaching their information to the rest of the group.
3. Each student should read over their information quietly by themselves.
4. After each student has gone over their information alone they get together with all of the students in the room that have the same "chunk" as they do. These groups are called the Expert Groups. Within each Expert Group students work together to process the information and prepare a way to share that information with their Jigsaw Groups.
5. Students return to their Jigsaw Groups and take turns presenting their "chunk" of information. The other students in the Jigsaw Group should actively listen, take notes, and ask questions if necessary.
6. Finally, once all experts have shared their information and all student questions have been answered you assess ALL of your students on ALL of the content.
Sounds pretty great doesn't it? I just love observing my students as they complete the Jigsaw cooperative learning strategy! They really take ownership of their information and teaching it to others.
The Jigsaw Method can be completed with any "chunks" of information, but I have some ready to go for you complete with chunked information, note-taking pages, and assessments here in my TpT shop.
If you are looking for more information on cooperative learning strategies, check out this post on cooperative learning basics.
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