Jigsaw Activity for Chemistry 11 – Organic Compounds

Step #1 – Randomly divide the students into groups of four. These will be their base groups.

Step #2 – Number the students in each group from number one to four. Instruct all of the number ones to gather at a prescribed location in the classroom, and the same with all the number twos, threes, and fours. These will be the students’ expert groups.

Step #3 – Assign each expert group a section of the textbook on organic chemistry.

  • Group #1 – Alcohol (p.386-390)
  • Group #2 – Alkyl Halides (p.390 –393)
  • Group #3 – Ether (p.394 – 396)
  • Group #4 – Amines (p.396 – 399)

Step #4–Provide each student with four copies of the focus sheet. The focus sheet will contain questions that help the students select key points/ideas from the reading.

Step #5–Instruct each group to read their section of the text and answer the questions on the focus sheet. For the final question, students may need to go online to locate an example of their type of organic compound from “everyday life”.

Step #6 –Students in the expert groups will discuss the reading and come to an agreement on the key points of the text. Students will revise the answers on their focus sheets, if necessary.

Step #7 - Instruct students to return to their base groups and take turns sharing the key points from their section of the text. Students will answer the questions on the focus sheet as their group members discuss the key points.

Focus Sheet for Organic Chemistry Jigsaw Activity

Functional group and definition: ______

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Physical characteristics: ______

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How to name the compound: ______

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Chemical Reactions:______

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Everyday example of this type of compound: ______

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