STEP ONE: Brainstorming
When we finished the whole play, I grouped students and told them to brainstorm a list of the puzzle pieces that we had discussed. After their list was complete, they had to decide which of the pieces were the corners and edges; in other words, which elements of the play were the most important ones in understanding Shakespeare’s overall purpose?

STEP TWO: Independent work
Each student chose one element of the play to focus on.

STEP THREE: building the puzzle pieces
The next day, the groups were given more paper. This time, each group got two copies of a smaller page with linked puzzle pieces.

STEP FOUR: Putting the puzzle together
Finally, each group was given chart paper, scissors, markers and glue sticks so they could create their final puzzle. They decided on an overall conclusion, wrote it on the top of the paper, then arranged their puzzle pieces underneath.
They hung their sheets on the walls of the classroom and did a quick presentation to the class about how and why they had reached their conclusion. Students walked around the room to look more closely at what other groups had concluded with their own copy of the sheet with the multiple puzzle pieces.
That night, they were to create an outline for an essay that discusses Shakespeare’s purpose in the play, so I wanted them to have their own sheet to refer to as they worked on it.

Do you have an example of a conclusion that the students reached by combining pieces? A picture of the pieces fitting together would be helpful.
I'm out for meetings the next few days, but when I'm back at school I will take one and post it!
Have you ever use this activity with poetry? I just started my poetry unit and I’d love to work this activity in. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
I’ve used variations, for sure. I would get them to break down the puzzle pieces of the poem – how does structure & rhythm affect meaning? What about the figurative devices used? Get them to brainstorm the important elements in the poem to create their puzzle pieces and see where it goes from there. Try it once and tweak it for the next time!
Have you used this activity with poetry? If so, I’d love some information on how you did it.
Thanks
See my reply above!