As an expert in educational strategies, I'm delighted to discuss the jigsaw reading strategy. This approach is a collaborative learning technique that was developed to enhance comprehension and engagement among students. It's particularly effective for reading comprehension and can be applied to various subjects, not just reading.

### The Jigsaw Reading Strategy Explained

#### Background

The jigsaw strategy is a method that emphasizes cooperative learning by providing students an opportunity to actively help each other build comprehension. It was designed to ensure that every student in a group is an expert on a particular part of the material and can, in turn, teach others in their group. This technique is used to assign students to reading groups composed of varying skill levels, which can help to foster a diverse learning environment.

#### The Process


1. Dividing the Material: The teacher divides the reading material into sections or chapters. Each section should be substantial enough to provide meaningful content but not so large as to be overwhelming.


2. Forming Groups: Students are then grouped into "home groups" of four to five members. Within each home group, students are assigned to become experts on one of the sections of the reading material.


3. Expert Groups: Each student from the home groups who is responsible for the same section forms an "expert group." Here, they discuss their section in depth, ensuring they understand it thoroughly.


4. Teaching Back to Home Groups: After the expert groups have met, students return to their home groups. Each expert teaches their section to the other members of the home group, ensuring that everyone understands the material.


5. Discussion and Application: Once all sections have been taught, the home group discusses the material as a whole, making connections and applying the knowledge to other contexts or questions posed by the teacher.

#### Benefits

- Engagement: Students are more engaged because they have a specific role and responsibility within the group.
- Comprehension: The process of teaching others helps to solidify the students' own understanding of the material.
- Collaboration: It encourages students to work together and learn from each other.
- Inclusivity: It allows students of varying skill levels to contribute effectively to the group's learning.

#### Implementation Tips

- Clear Instructions: Ensure that students understand their roles and the expectations for each stage of the jigsaw process.
- Monitor Progress: The teacher should circulate among the groups to provide guidance and ensure that discussions are on track.
- Encourage Participation: Make sure that all group members have the opportunity to contribute and learn.
- Assess Understanding: Use follow-up questions or activities to check that the material has been understood by all students.

#### Conclusion

The jigsaw reading strategy is a powerful tool for fostering a deeper understanding of reading material and promoting a collaborative classroom environment. By assigning different sections of the text to different students and having them teach their sections to the group, teachers can ensure that every student is actively involved in the learning process.

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Background. Jigsaw is a strategy that emphasizes cooperative learning by providing students an opportunity to actively help each other build comprehension. Use this technique to assign students to reading groups composed of varying skill levels.read more >>