Jigsaws Are NOT Just a Type of Puzzle!

In case you were unaware, a jigsaw is more than just a puzzle. A jigsaw is also a cooperative learning method that can be utilized in all grades, and all subject areas!

A jigsaw is a strategy that students can use in order to become familiar with a topic. For instance, with the academic area of social studies and going along with what topic will be used in fieldwork, the beginning of the American Revolution. There were major key events that took place during the period before the war took place. Students will be broken down into groups, say, a class of 25 students, into groups of five. The first groups the students are put into are considered base groups. Each member of the group will be given a different topic to research; a topic that he or she will become an expert on. For this example, one member from each group will be given the following topics: Boston Tea Party, French & Indian War, Fort Ticonderoga, The Battle of Lexington and Concord and Patriots & Loyalists. After each member has their assigned topic, they will break off into expert groups. That is, each member from the topic Boston Tea Party will be considered one expert group. Each member from the topic, French & Indian War, will be another expert group, and so on for the remaining topics. Once the students are in their expert groups, they will begin conducting research to find out as much about the assigned topic as they can. Once this has been completed, the students will break back out of the expert groups, and return to the base groups. The students of each group will then teach their topic to their base group for each of the assigned topics. In turn, every student in the class will be provided with the same information about each topic, just in a way other than direct instruction from the teacher. 

This strategy allows students to be in charge of their work. Of course, students will be given support from the teacher before, during, and after the project, but for the most part, the activity is student-centered. Using the jigsaw strategy helps build comprehension skills. It also introduces students to the concept of cooperative learning. Lastly, it allows students to have the chance to enhance their listening skills, as well as their communication skills and problem solving skills.

Personally, I find this strategy to be extremely beneficial. Students have a great time doing it, and it is different. It allows the students to have control of the classroom, which is always something that they enjoy. It also provides the teacher with time to assess his or her students; observing how they work with one another, examining student work, interviewing with students, etc. This can also be used as a differentiated instruction tool, which is a major element of teaching. The strategy works in all grades, from elementary school all the way through college.

Assessments Are Beneficial for All!

Well, hello there!

This week, we have been focusing on assessments and the assessment processes that should be taking place in classrooms. Assessment is defined as, "the process of observing, collecting, recording, and otherwise documenting the work students do and how they do it" (Sunal, p. 449). There are three major types of assessments: Diagnostic, Formative, and Summative. Diagnostic assessments take place before learning. This assessment is intended to provide the teacher with knowledge of what the students already know about a particular subject area. Diagnostic assessments can include: pre-quizzes, KWL charts, questioning, etc. Formative assessments are the assessments that take place as the learning is occurring. Teachers conduct this type of assessment to ensure that students are learning what is intended. Formative assessments include: teacher-student interviews, observations, exit tickets, etc. Summative assessments take place after the learning is complete. This type of assessment allows the teacher to see if the student has retained the information that has been taught, as well as seeing if the student has the ability to apply this knowledge first-hand. Summative assessments include: unit tests, culminating projects, demonstrations, presentations, etc.
Below is a picture of a graphic organizer that was completed for class which reviews the same aspects of assessment, but in an organized fashion.

Assessments are beneficial for both the students and the teachers. First, the students benefit from assessments in a number of ways. I believe that assessments cause students to stay focused on the particular subject. When a student knows that they will be assessed on something, they tend to realize that they need to know the information in order to perform successfully. Assessments also allow students to become aware of how much information they are retaining for themselves. Students know when they do not know an answer, and having continuous assessments and reviews of them will allow students to be continually reminded of the different aspects of the unit; aspects that they are aware of and aspects that they are not. This in turn, will allow the student to become more familiar with the information, leading to a better grade on a formal exam. The hands on summative assessments will also foster student interest. Creating presentations or demonstrations to show that you know the information can be fun and exciting for many students, especially if the project is creative!
The teachers also benefit from assessments. First and foremost, assessments give the teacher an understanding of what his or her students already know. This will provide the teacher with an idea of what needs to be reviewed first; specific vocabulary terms, etc. Second, the formative assessments allow the teacher to see if his or her teaching methods are providing the students with the knowledge that was intended. Are the students retaining the information? Are the students on task? Do they seem interested? Do I need to switch up my teaching methods? What type of instruction fosters the most learning? Summative assessments will also do these things. Assessments also provide evidence for the teacher to share with either the principal, the parents, or the student themselves. They serve as a communication tool. Having assessments physically with you during a meeting will allow for conversations to flow smoother because you are holding the evidence in your hand.
Parents will benefit from assessments because they will be able to see that their child is learning. They will also benefit from assessments because it will give the parents a further understanding of what the student is actually learning. Teachers easily forget that not everyone understands the terms that we use; it is easy for a parent to lose track, or completely misunderstand what is actually being said. These assessments allow the parents to see exactly what the teacher is talking about.

Assessments do a number of things for teachers, parents, and students. The best part is, assessments can be made creatively; fun for the students. Not all assessments consist of quizzes and tests; they can be activities, interviews, projects, etc. Assessment is something that should be a priority to each and every teacher.