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.