Circle of Viewpoints
Map the perspectives present, then explore one in depth.
Considering perspectivesBuilding explanationsWondering & questioning
What is Circle of Viewpoints?
Identify all stakeholders affected by an event, then step inside one of them.
Setup: What event or issue is at the centre?.
List perspectives
- 1List as many perspectives as you can identifyOne per line, anyone or anything affected.
Step inside one
- 1I'm thinking from the point of view of…
- 2I think… (describe from this viewpoint)Be the character, speak in their voice.
- 3…because…Explain your reasoning.
- 4A question or concern I have from this viewpoint…
Good moments for Circle of Viewpoints
- Classroom warm-upSurface what students bring before introducing new content.
- After a reading or videoConsolidate big ideas without testing recall.
- Discussion starterResponses become the seed material for the room conversation.
- End-of-session reflectionCapture how thinking changed.
About Visible Thinking
Visible Thinking Routines were developed by Project Zero at the Harvard Graduate School of Education (Ron Ritchhart, David Perkins). They are short structured protocols for surfacing thinking, not assessments.
Project Zero website