🔐 Struggling to foster meaningful teamwork and collaboration in your classroom?
💟 Wondering how to teach empathy and understanding effectively?
🔍 Searching for an activity that’s simple, engaging, and adaptable for team-based, classroom-wide, or digital learning?
Many educators face these obstacles when trying to create a classroom culture built on trust and cooperation. The My World Map Activity Guide offers a simple solution to these challenges.
Designed with educators in mind, this guide helps students:
👬 Develop Team Trust and Empathy: By sharing strengths, values, and goals, students build deep connections with their peers.
🔧 Meet SEL and 21st-Century Learning Standards: Aligned with CASEL and ISTE frameworks, the activity supports social-emotional learning and essential skills like adaptability and collaboration.
📚 Work in Any Setting: Whether in teams, with the whole class, or in a digital space, the activity’s flexibility ensures seamless implementation.
Team members pair up to ask each other questions designed to gain insight into their individual experiences and viewpoints.
articipants visually map out what they've learned about their partner, making the abstract concept of empathy concrete and visible.
Present the My World Maps to the group, sharing the insights they've gained about their partner.
Knowing each other better helps the team work well together.
Want to know how this looks in action? Here's an example filled out by a student. You'll see their personal goals, strengths, passions, values, and areas where they need support — all mapped visually to build empathy, trust, and classroom connection.
Educators use this as a powerful SEL and team-building activity.
The My World Map activity supports the development of 21st-century skills and social-emotional learning (SEL) competencies. It aligns with key frameworks like CASEL, ISTE Standards for Students, and the P21 Framework for 21st Century Skills, transforming abstract concepts such as empathy, collaboration, and communication into practical classroom actions. Agile Classrooms makes these standards accessible and actionable, helping educators create meaningful learning experiences that build essential skills for success.
"The My World Map made such a difference in my classroom. Students who barely talked before are now working together effortlessly. It's simple, eye opening, and so effective in teaching empathy and teamwork!" – Ms. Lindsey H., 5th Grade Teacher
"It also helped students feel safe to share their vulnerabilities and support one another in meaningful ways." – Mr. Brian K., High School Educator
"Our staff used the My World Map, and it was eye-opening. It really helped us see each other beyond our roles and understand everyone's strengths and values. It made our team feel closer and work together more effectively." – Ms. Rachel T., Principal
"Doing the my My World Map made me feel like my voice mattered. I got to share who I am and learn about my classmates in a way we don’t usually get to do. It made working together so much easier." – Alex M., 8th Grade Student
The My World Map Activity Guide is:
🔾 Research-Backed: Includes evidence-based insights that demonstrate how the activity fosters empathy, collaboration, and teamwork in students.
📘 Aligned to Standards: Clearly outlines how it supports CASEL, ISTE, and P21 standards, providing educators with a roadmap to address key competencies in social-emotional learning and 21st-century skills.
🔧 Educator-Friendly: Step-by-step instructions, printable templates, and flexibility for a variety of classroom settings make it easy to implement.
📚 Student-Centered: Helps students build critical skills like communication, self-awareness, and relationship-building to thrive in any group dynamic..
Overview of the Activity: Why it works and its benefits.
Step-by-Step Procedure: Clear, actionable instructions for implementation.
Research-Based Foundations: A detailed explanation of the theories and practices supporting the activity.
Printable Resources: Includes all the templates and reflection tools you’ll need to get started
Explore the resources, guides, and certification that help you make learning visible, collaborative, and student-driven—without starting from scratch.