Jigsaw Discussions involve students starting in a “home group”, where each member is allocated a piece of content. Students then move to an “expert group” with the others who have been designated the same piece of content and work together to learn it.
Each student then returns to their original “home group” and teaches what they have learned to their groupmates.
Instructions
(from The Jigsaw Classroom)
- Divide an element of the day’s lesson into parts (e.g. six parts).
- Break students into jigsaw groups (the group size should equal the number of parts. For instance, if the lesson has been broken into six parts, then each jigsaw group should ideally have six students).
- Appoint one student from each group as the leader. The leader will facilitate communication and ensure all group members contribute effectively.
- Assign each student to learn one part from the day’s lesson. Make sure students only focus on their part.
- Have students assigned to the same part temporarily form “expert groups”. Ask students to discuss their materials and find solutions together (if applicable).
- Bring students back into their jigsaw groups. Ask each student to present their part to the group.
Resources
Lesson material (divided into parts).
Variations
- World café: Students form small groups; each group will sit on a different table. Each table will have a ‘host’ and the rest of the group will be ‘travellers’. The travellers switch tables periodically and the host introduces the previous discussion to the new travellers.
- Circle of voices: Students form small groups and sit in a circle, each taking a turn to respond to a question. One member then shares the groups’ conclusions or main themes back to the class.
- Parallel discussions: Students form small groups. Each group will have a different concept to discuss, with guiding questions provided. After discussing, each group presents back to the class. Educators can facilitate a class discussion after each group’s presentation.
- Onion ring: Split the class into two even groups. Have both groups stand in two circles, one inside the other. A question is posed and those inside the ring have 2 minutes to suggest an answer while their outside ring partner observes. They then swap and a new question is posed.
- Fish bowl: In the middle of the room, a small group of students discusses a prompt while the rest of the class observes. When an observer wants to join the conversation, they approach the middle of the room and swap places with someone not currently talking.
References
Teaching Tools In a Flash – Jigsaw – Final.pdf (kent.edu)
World Cafe Method | The World Cafe
Active Learning Tip Sheet.pdf (unsw.edu.au)
Active Learning Spaces Best Practices Sharing.pdf (unsw.edu.au)