NYSTCE English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Practice Test

What is the key characteristic of jigsaw reading?

1. Each student reads the same material

2. Students work alone with no group interaction

3. Each group receives a different part of a reading

4. All students summarize their parts individually

The correct answer is: Each group receives a different part of a reading

Jigsaw reading is an instructional strategy designed to promote cooperative learning and student engagement. The key characteristic of jigsaw reading is that each group receives a different part of a reading. This approach encourages students to become "experts" on a specific section, creating a personalized learning experience and fostering collaborative interactions when they come together to share their findings. In this method, after students have read their assigned segments, they regroup with peers who studied different parts of the text to discuss and piece together the complete understanding of the material. This encourages active participation, accountability, and effective communication skills among students, as they must articulate what they have learned from their respective sections to their classmates. This method stands in contrast to scenarios where all students read the same material, work alone, or summarize their parts individually, which do not promote the collaborative essence that jigsaw reading embodies.