The Jigsaw Classroom: Understanding and Implementing the Method Effectively

​Since​ beginning my career in education, I have been using the “jigsaw method” without truly understanding its purpose and origins. In practice, my version looked like this: one student would read a section of the text, another would read a different piece, and each would teach their section to the other. While this approach involved solid teaching strategies, it wasn’t a true “jigsaw classroom.” It missed the essence of the original intent and left out a crucial component of the method.

The Origins of the Jigsaw Classroom 
Psychologist Elliot Aronson developed the jigsaw classroom in the 1970s to foster collaboration and unity among students from diverse cultural backgrounds following school desegregation in Texas. Aronson discovered that the jigsaw method transformed classroom culture from competitive to cooperative. When students had to rely on each other for success, they began to view their peers as allies and supporters. To explore more about the history and impact of the jigsaw method, especially for students learning English, visit this resource.

Key Steps in the Jigsaw Method
Dr. Aronson’s method is structured into 10 essential steps. While I had implemented some of these (e.g., organizing students into groups of 5-6 and assigning leaders), I realized I was missing several key elements. Here are the steps I overlooked:

Step Three: Divide the Entire Lesson into Segments Each part of the lesson should be broken down into distinct segments, not just the text and the reading portion. Then, assign each segment to individual students within a group. This ensures that each student has a unique piece of information to contribute beyond just reading.

Step Six: Form Expert Groups Create temporary “expert” groups where students who have the same segment meet to discuss and deepen their understanding of their part. This step helps students become confident in their knowledge before teaching it to their original group.

Step Ten: Graded Assessment Conclude the process with a graded assessment on the material. This element makes the collaboration high stakes, and motivates students to depend on one another for success, reinforcing the importance of teamwork.

Why the Graded Component Matters
Including a graded assessment emphasizes the value of each student's role and makes collaboration essential. When students know that their understanding and contributions directly impact their performance, they are more invested in the process and their peers' success.
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By incorporating these missing elements, educators can ensure they are using the jigsaw method as intended—building a classroom culture rooted in cooperation and mutual support. I can think of no better time to support collaboration across divergent perspectives in the classroom than today.

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