Teaching Mineral and Rock Identification with a Jigsaw Activity

Activity designed by Terri Lynn Constantopoulos, Eastern New Mexico University. Starting Point page by John McDaris, SERC.

This material is replicated on a number of sites as part of the SERC Pedagogic Service Project

Summary

In this Jigsaw activity, groups of four students are tasked with identifying 20 different minerals (or rocks). Each student is responsible for becoming an "expert" on 5 of the samples. The students then take turns teaching the rest of the group how to identify those 5 minerals. Ultimately, all students are responsible for being able to identify all 20 minerals.

Learning Goals

Develop students' ability to identify 20 different mineral species with each student becoming an "expert" in identifying 5 of the 20.
Foster participation, motivation and enthusiasm on the part of students in the lab section.

Context for Use

This activity was designed for use in an introductory geology laboratory section with a 2-hour lab period. The session previous to this activity was used to introduce and practice testing for the physical properties that would be used to identify the minerals in question, leaving an entire session for identification.

Teaching Materials

This activity is fully detailed in Constantopoulos, 1994 . The only physical materials that are necessary are samples of 20 different minerals, enough for the number of groups in the lab section.

Teaching Notes and Tips

Randomly assign students to groups and then assign them to a particular "expert" groups.
Set definite time intervals for each portion of the activity. Utilize students who finish a portion early by having them help students who are lagging behind.