Circle of Viewpoints
Grades 1-8
Big Idea
Directions
1. Find text or video extract that can be explored from different perspectives.
2. After you introduce the text/video create a list of different viewpoints that were represented.
3. Then have students pick a viewpoint that they would like to explore.
4. Once the students have grouped themselves with a viewpoint, ask the students to respond in writing, drawing, or verbally to the following prompts:
* I am thinking of (name the event/issue) from the point of view of...
* I think... (describe the topic from your view point), because...
* A question/concern I have from this viewpoint is...
* Finally ask the students to share their thinking, in small groups or as a class. They can go around in a circle and act out their different chosen viewpoints.
5. Reflection Time- Once everyone in the circle has spoken, lead a discussion by asking: “What new ideas do you have about the topic that you didn’t have before?” and “What new questions do you have?
When to Use
You can use Circle of Viewpoints across many curriculum areas.
- This activity can be used with different age groups
- This activity can be used to explore:
- new perspectives about a topic, theme, questions
- a piece of literature
- wars, conflicts, or other significant historical events
- common playground issues, such as friendship and bullying
- different ways to show how to get the answer to a math problem
Strategy Variation
2. Instead of the students responding to the previous prompts, they can can act out their perspective. They can create an art piece or object they might see from their person's perspective.
3. Different students can respond from the same character/person's point of view, but from different parts of the story. This would help students see how some character's point of view changes throughout the story.
4. Use a wordless picture book and have the students share their own perspective of what they think the story is about.
5. Younger students can respond orally instead of writing.