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One of my favorite parts of the school year is Welcome Week when I'm setting the tone and establishing a culture of respect in my classroom. During this time, I introduce an activity that helps students learn more about themselves while fostering tolerance and understanding of each others' differences. This activity is called the "Compass Points Activity."
In this exercise, I have my students stand near a poster that displays the direction (North, South, East, West) that they most relate to based on specific traits. These traits range from being action-oriented and detail-focused to caring and big-picture thinking. Once they’ve chosen their direction, students gather in groups and discuss the strengths and limitations of their style, which styles they find difficult to work with, and what others should know about them to work together effectively. After these discussions, each group shares their insights with the class.
The final question I pose is perhaps the most important: "Why do we need ALL kinds of people?" This question opens up a meaningful conversation about diversity, not just in terms of background or experiences but in how we think, work, and approach challenges. The recurring theme in every class is that we all complement each other by filling in each other's gaps with our own unique talents.
The result of this activity is a classroom culture where students appreciate and respect the differences in their peers. It sets the foundation for a better, more well-rounded, and efficient community where everyone has a role to play. As we move forward through the school year, this understanding of each other helps us navigate challenges together, creating a supportive environment where every student can thrive.
In this exercise, I have my students stand near a poster that displays the direction (North, South, East, West) that they most relate to based on specific traits. These traits range from being action-oriented and detail-focused to caring and big-picture thinking. Once they’ve chosen their direction, students gather in groups and discuss the strengths and limitations of their style, which styles they find difficult to work with, and what others should know about them to work together effectively. After these discussions, each group shares their insights with the class.
The final question I pose is perhaps the most important: "Why do we need ALL kinds of people?" This question opens up a meaningful conversation about diversity, not just in terms of background or experiences but in how we think, work, and approach challenges. The recurring theme in every class is that we all complement each other by filling in each other's gaps with our own unique talents.
The result of this activity is a classroom culture where students appreciate and respect the differences in their peers. It sets the foundation for a better, more well-rounded, and efficient community where everyone has a role to play. As we move forward through the school year, this understanding of each other helps us navigate challenges together, creating a supportive environment where every student can thrive.
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