A person holds a compass in their hand with the ocean in the background.

Activity

Compass Points

Students get an opportunity to give feedback about the class and communicate their needs and worries.

Published: July 14, 2021

Last Updated: August 9, 2023

Activity

Language

English — US

Subject

Advisory
Civics & Citizenship
English & Language Arts
History
Social Studies

Grade

6–12

Culture & Identity
Equity & Inclusion

Overview

About This Activity

It is important that students have regular opportunities to communicate what’s working and what isn’t so their teachers can help them get the support they need to feel successful. This routine provides a structure for students to give positive feedback about the class, offer ideas to support their learning, and communicate their needs and worries.

Procedure

Pass out the Compass Points handout and let students respond to the questions. Students can share their ideas in small groups or in a class discussion. Focus first on what Excites them and their Suggestions for improvements in the class. If you have established a strong classroom community, students might also feel comfortable enough to share Needs and Worries, but it shouldn’t be required. Collect the handouts and look for patterns in students’ feedback. In the next class, strategize about solutions with your students (without mentioning names). Follow up with individual students as needed.

Project the Compass Points handout or have students access it from their devices. Have them respond to the questions on the handout. Then project a Google Doc version of the Compass Points handout and have students add ideas to two compass points of their choosing. Debrief by talking about one compass point at a time. Focus first on what Excites them and their Suggestions for improvements in the class. If you have established a strong classroom community, students might also feel comfortable enough to discuss Needs and Worries, but it shouldn’t be required.

You can read the suggestions out loud and have students write ideas in the chat for how to implement them. Or you might notice a pattern of feedback that you want to address in the moment. Have students submit their individual copies of the handout so you can look for patterns to address with the class or one-on-one.

Materials and Downloads

Get the handout used in this activity, available in English and Spanish, in Google Doc and PDF format.

Download the Files

Handout

Compass Points

Handout

Compass Points (en español)

Get Files Via Google

Handout

Compass Points

+ Share to Google Classroom

Handout

Compass Points (en español)

+ Share to Google Classroom

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Compass Points