Unlocking Student Expertise with the Jigsaw Strategy
- inquirED
- Feb 17
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 4
Imagine a classroom where every student is an expert, eager to share their knowledge and engage in meaningful discussion. That’s the power of the Jigsaw Protocol—a collaborative learning strategy that encourages deep research, critical thinking, and peer teaching. Read below to bettter understand how to facilitate a Jigsaw activity in your classroom.
Strategy Basics: What is the Jigsaw Protocol?
The Jigsaw Protocol is a cooperative learning strategy that allows students to become experts on different aspects of a topic and then teach their peers. Instead of simply receiving information from the teacher, students take ownership of their learning, diving deep into specific subjects before sharing their insights with others.
This method not only increases engagement but also fosters higher-order thinking, teamwork, and communication skills—essential tools for students in their learning journeys.
How to Use the Jigsaw Strategy in Your Classroom
Here’s a step-by-step guide to implementing the jigsaw strategy effectively in classroom activities..
Step 1: Assign Expert Groups
Break students into small Expert Groups, each responsible for researching a different aspect of the topic. In this example, students will investigate natural resources across U.S. regions. Assign each group a region—Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, Southwest, or West.
Pro Tip: Assign roles within each Expert Group (e.g., researcher, note-taker, presenter) to ensure equitable participation and accountability. This also helps students stay on task and contribute meaningfully.
Step 2: Conduct Research
Provide students with a variety of research materials—maps, articles, videos, and charts—related to their assigned region. As they explore, they should focus on:
The types of natural resources found in their region.
How these resources are used (e.g., farming, industry, energy production).
The historical and economic impact of these resources.
Encourage students to take notes and discuss their findings within their Expert Group, ensuring they understand key concepts before moving on.
Pro Tip: Provide students with a specific task and clear expectations for their research. For example, require them to find at least three key facts, one historical connection, and one economic impact. This keeps them focused and ensures deeper engagement
Step 3: Summarize and Organize Information
Once students have gathered enough information, they work together to summarize their findings. They can create visual aids like posters, slides, or graphic organizers to help them communicate their insights. The teacher can guide them with questions like:
What are the most important takeaways from your research?
How do these resources impact the economy and daily life in your region?
What challenges or sustainability concerns exist for these resources?
Pro Tip: Use a rubric to guide students in creating their visual aids. The rubric could include categories like clarity of information, creativity, accuracy, and ability to explain key points. This sets clear expectations and promotes quality work
Step 4: Mix and Share in Jigsaw Groups
Now comes the collaborative magic of the Jigsaw Protocol! Students leave their Expert Groups and form Mixed Groups, where each student represents a different region. In these groups, students take turns presenting their research, ensuring their peers understand the key points. As they listen, students should take notes, comparing and contrasting how natural resources vary across regions. This is where connections start to form—how different regions rely on one another, how geography influences industry, and how sustainability plays a role in resource management.
Pro Tip: Provide a structured note-taking guide for students to fill out while listening to their peers. This keeps them engaged and makes it easier to compare findings across regions.
Step 5: Synthesize Learning
As a class, discuss the broader implications of their findings:
How do natural resources shape regional economies and lifestyles?
What are the connections between different regions (e.g., trade, supply chains)?
How can we ensure the sustainability of these resources for the future,
Encourage students to support their ideas with evidence from their research, reinforcing the importance of using data to make informed arguments.
Pro Tip: Use an anchor chart to visualize connections between regions. This helps students see the bigger picture.
Step 6: Reflection and Assessment
To conclude, students reflect on their learning. Some possible reflection activities include:
Writing a short response answering the essential question: How do natural resources shape different regions of the U.S.?
Participating in a class discussion about key takeaways.
Creating a concept map showing the interdependence of different regions based on natural resources.
Pro Tip: Consider offering multiple reflection options—a written response, a verbal discussion, etc. This allows students to demonstrate their understanding in multiple ways.
Why Use the Jigsaw Protocol?
The Jigsaw Protocol transforms learning into an active, student-driven process. It:
Encourages collaboration and accountability.
Supports deep understanding through research and peer teaching.
Builds critical thinking and communication skills.
Allows students to see the bigger picture by synthesizing multiple perspectives.
By incorporating Jigsaw into your classroom, you’re not just delivering content—you’re empowering students to engage, connect, and think like experts. Give it a try, and watch your students take ownership of their learning in ways you never expected!
About inquirED
inquirED was founded by teachers with the mission of bringing inquiry-based social studies to every classroom. Inquiry Journeys, inquirED’s elementary social studies curriculum, is used in schools and districts across the country to help students develop deep social studies content knowledge and build the inquiry skills that are essential for a thriving democracy.
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