Jigsaw (Long response)

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Jigsaw (Long response)
By vana

I use the jigsaw method. It works especially well for soc. st. and science reading, though I do use it for fiction as well. Divide your material into 5 or 6 sections. I number students off by the number of sections I have.
All of the ones read the first section, twos read the second section, etc. If they finish early they go back and reread the material a second time so they can be very familiar with the material. After all have read at least one time. Students get together in "expert groups" and discuss the material they read. What are the most important points that the other students should know

about their material? After expert groups meet we then jigsaw into 3 or 4 groups. Each jigsaw has a 1 expert, 2 expert, etc. Now each student must teach the jigsaw group what they read. Like a jigsaw puzzle we need each person to do their part so we see the whole picture. Many times in the beginning, I also give a quiz after jigsaw groups meet. This helps them to know that it is important both to present good information and to learn from what others are teaching. They are responsible for all the information.

I also find these websites helpful in finding new strategies when I feel like I am in a rut or need a new idea.
curry.edschool.virginia.edu/go/readquest/strat
muskingum.edu/~cal/database/readingcomp.html
glossary.PlasmaLink.com/glossary.html