Updated October 2018 – Instead of doing this as a jigsaw activity, each group comes up with an analogy for each cell organelle based on their chosen theme. Each group then presents their theme and analogies to the class. Below are some sample slides for one group’s theme which was our school:
This is an updated version on how to use the ‘Jigsaw Method’ for students to learn about cell organelles that includes a tech component – each expert group will create Power Point slides for their assigned organelles. When each expert group is done, they will have one complete set of slides that they will use to teach each other in their home groups, use as a resource to review at home, and/or print out flashcards (4-6 slides per page) if needed.
Materials
- Desktop/Laptop/Tablet with Internet Access
- Google Slides Template (public link)
- One shared google doc per home group
- To save this ppt – click on “File” then “Make a Copy” or “Download as” and choose the format you would like. Please do not request editing access to this file – that would change my version of this slide show.
- Worksheet for 4 expert groups (pdf)
- Worksheet for 5 expert groups (pdf)
- this allows for less information per expert group, but larger home groups
Links for research
- BrainPOP Cell Video (free link)
- BrainPOP Cell Structures Video (link)
- Biology 4 Kids – Cell Structure (link)
- Cells Alive (link)
- Harcourt School (link)
- Khan Academy Video (link)
- I Know That (link)
- Plant cell Video (link)
Group 1 contains an expert from A, B, C, & D. All of the “A” members will sit together to research their assigned organelles. Each member of group A will research and create their own slides for the Nucleus (slide 2), Nucleolus (slide 3), Chromatin (slide 4), and Centrioles (slide 5). Home group members (B, C, & D) will add their information to the rest of the slides at the same time A is adding information from the A expert group.
On each slide, they will include the following information:
- Name of organelle
- Location (Nucleus or Cytoplasm?)
- Plant, Animal, or Both?
- Function
- Images of the organelle
- Image of an analogy for that organelle
Encourage students to use the animation feature to have the information appear sequentially instead of seeing all the information as soon as they advance to the next slide. This will help with note taking when they are presenting their information to their home group.
After each expert group is done with their research, they will return to their home group. The member from group A will go first, and using presentation mode in Google Slides (via desktop/laptop/tablet) they will teach their home group about the nucleus, nucleolus, chromatin, and centrioles. Members B, C, and D will write their notes on the handout provided. When A is done, the member from expert group B (via desktop/laptop/tablet) will present his/her organelles in the same manner.
If possible, having each student use their own laptop or desktop for the research phase (expert groups) and then only one laptop or tablet for the presentation part (home group) would be the best option so that their focus is on the person who is presenting.
Additional Resources
- Cells Worksheet (ScienceSpot link)
- Animal Cell Coloring (link)
- Plant Cell Coloring (link)
- For more information on how to use the Jigsaw Method – (link)
Middle School Science Blog 