Comprehension Strategies
JigsawDescription: Jigsaw is a strategy that is based on collaborative learning as it offers students an experience to engage with other classmates and help one another build comprehension. This strategy is typically assigned to groups of student that are categorized by their varying reading levels, where each group member is responsible for becoming an "expert" on one of the assigned material sections and then "teaching" it to their other classmates in their “home group.”
Purpose: The purpose of the Jigsaw strategy is to aid students in building their comprehension, communication, listening, and problem-solving skills, as they supportively learn from their classmates. Procedure: 1. Introduce the selected topic to be studied. 2. Assign each student to “home-group” typically of about 3-5 students that are on similar if not the same reading levels. 3. The teacher will assign each student a reading selection based on the set they put together for the given topic. This is where the students will then take on the role as an “expert” for their assigned text. 4. The teacher will provide students with a time limit to work on various parts of the jigsaw task. (Usually students have approximately 20 minutes of work time). 5. Key questions along with the necessary material and resources including graphic organizers will be provided by the teacher as an aid, in helping students gather and record information on their area of study and become ‘experts.” 6. Guidelines and rules will be discussed regarding how ‘expert’ groups will relay their learned information back to members in their ‘home group.” 7. It is essential for the teacher to remind students that "home group" members are accountable for learning the content from each and every “expert” in their group. Classroom Integration: • Can be used for author studies • Can be used for group research topics • For essay projects or reports Variations: Have students fill out one graphic organizer together as the home group when collecting all the information being presented by each and every “expert.”Another variation would be to have each “expert group” presented their information to the whole-class.Provide a teacher assistant to work with those struggling with the reading or pair struggling readers with stronger readers for support. ("Jigsaw," 2007) ("Jigsaw," 2001) Jigsaw ResourcesThe 'Jigsaw'Approach
• This source provides a description of the strategy and tips for using the Jigsaw technique (EduWorld, n.d.). Classroom Strategies: Jigsaw • This source offers the reasoning behind the strategy of Jigsaw, the benefits is produces for both teachers and students, and the steps in how it can be implemented into a classroom setting ("Jigsaw," 2007). How Writing Ties into the StrategyStandard: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.2.b
• Develop the topic with relevant facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples How Writing is Tied into the Strategy: The Jigsaw strategy is a process where students individually gather and develop information from their assigned reading to eventually work collaboratively with their group members in gaining the new necessary knowledge. This strategy ties in writing as students take notes on a piece of notebook paper or graphic organizer when reading to help comprehend the text and successfully teach their group members about the information they acquired. The students write down definitions, facts, interesting details, and other information they think is important in their assigned readings. . (Common Core State Standards, 2010, p. 42) |
Videos of Jigsaw (Reading Rockets, 2010)
Video: This video provides a graphic representation of the step-by-step guide for implementing this strategy. It also provides an example lesson in which this method was used in an elementary classroom setting. Instruction: This video provides a resource for teachers who would like to use the jigsaw method in the classroom. It is a very useful strategy to build comprehension skills. Student Engagement: This video helps students understand the process for using the jigsaw process to guide a classroom lesson. It engages the student by providing a successful example of jigsaw and how it supports comprehension in the classroom. Assessment: The teacher could assess student knowledge and understanding after presenting the video. The assessment could include questions regarding the preparations and sources needed before beginning a jigsaw process or what would be the benefits of using this strategy. (Knowledge Delivery Systems, 2012)
Video: This is a lesson on how to use the jigsaw cooperative learning technique to support English Language Learners with comprehension when reading. The video explains the steps needed to complete a jigsaw lesson as well as the rationale behind the implementation of this strategy and offers an example of using the technique in a 6th grade history course. Instruction: This video provides a resource for teachers who would like to begin using Inquiry Charts to facilitate higher thinking and comprehension skills. It is a very useful strategy to build comprehension skills. Student Engagement: This video could help students understand process needed to implement the jigsaw strategy into a lesson. The step-by-step process helps students understand what is needed to incorporate this technique as a teaching strategy. Assessment: The teacher could assess student knowledge and understanding after presenting the video. The assessment could ask the student to list the steps needed to teach using the jigsaw method or to state the benefits that this method presents. |