Perspective Diamond

So, a while back, my friend, Kari Espin, and I were planning a professional learning experience for teachers.  We were trying to come up with a way for them to reflect and intentionally consider what they had learned and how it applied to their classrooms.  In doing so, we developed an idea that we like to call the "perspective diamond" and I wanted to take some time to share the idea with you and how you might use it in your classroom.

First of all, a diamond (or rhombus), can be broken into two triangles and that is key for this classroom strategy.   Ask learners to consider two different perspectives.  This could be the perspectives of two different characters in a book, two perspectives of a conflict on the playground, or two perspectives of what was learned in class today...the possibilities are endless.  After both triangles are filled out (by the same learner or two different learners), they can be put together to form a "perspective diamond".  

One specific example of how this could be used in the classroom is as a reflection tool.  At the end of class, you could use the 3-2-1 strategy.  ln the largest part of the triangle, learners could document 3 things that they've learned, in the middle, they could document 2 connections that were made, and then at the top, they could share 1 question that they still have.  

After filling out their triangles, they could grab a partner and compare their triangles by creating a Perspective Diamond.  They might realize that they have the same questions or maybe something that they learned is what their partner is still wondering about.

This strategy can be utilized in so many ways.  It's a great way to implement Depth and Complexity using Multiple Perspectives and encourage critical thinking.  It encourages learners to be willing to see someone else's point of view and consider how it connects to their own.

I'm excited about sharing more about this strategy and how it can be utilized in a new book that will be released in the Fall 2022.  Until then, I'd love to hear how you are using or intend to use this strategy in your classroom.  Please share in the comments below.  

Perspective Diamond PDF