Jigsaw

I could use Jigsaw in my classroom to promote cooperative learning amongst my students. As an eighth grade teacher it is imperative for me to realize the importance of a student’s social life at this age. Jigsaw is a way for them to socialize with other students and at the same time learn something new. With Jigsaw each students are responsible to deliver on their part in order to succeed as a whole class or group. I believe that the students will take their learning more serious if they know they are responsible for a classmate’s knowledge of that particular information as well. I have used Jigsaw successfully in my classroom before, and intend to continue to use it when I feel it can benefit my students learning. One example of using jigsaw in my classroom is when I taught rocks last year. Students were responsible for learning about a specific type of rock or mineral, like sedimentary or igneous, and had to teach to their “home” group about their topic of expertise. The jigsaw activity turned out really well, and the students seemed to enjoy it because they were able to research their topic however they felt would benefit them.