Help students know each other as people
Students share interests, strengths, experiences, goals, and what matters to them beyond the immediate assignment.
Team Formation Tool
My World Map
A student-friendly reflection activity that helps learners share strengths, interests, values, goals, and experiences so teams can build trust faster.
Best for
- Classroom
- Student Teams
- Team Formation
- SEL
- Collaboration
- PBL
Use During
- Refine
- Plan
- Check-In
- Retrospect
What it helps with
Build trust before collaboration gets hard
Teams work better when students have a visible way to understand one another before pressure, conflict, or deadlines show up.
Make student identity and strengths discussable
The map gives students language for what they care about, how they learn, and what they bring to the team.
Preview the template
When to use it
- Early in the year or at the start of a new project team
- Before collaborative work where trust and empathy matter
- When students need a safer way to share interests, strengths, and goals
- During advisory, SEL, PBL, STEM, CTE, or team-building routines
- When a group needs to move from classmates to teammates
How it works
Set the purpose
Explain that the goal is to understand one another, not to rank or judge.
Complete the map
Students add details about interests, strengths, experiences, goals, and how they learn best.
Share selectively
Students choose what they want to share with a partner, team, or class.
Notice connections
Teams look for shared interests, complementary strengths, and places where support may be needed.
Use it later
Return to the map during team formation, check-ins, retrospects, and coaching conversations.
Why My World Map works
Students collaborate better when they can see each other more fully. My World Map turns identity, strengths, interests, and goals into visible information teams can use.
It gives students a structured way to share enough about themselves to build empathy and trust without making the activity feel like a forced icebreaker.
Want the full explanation and examples? Read the article: My World Map Activity Guide
Skills & Alignment
This resource supports team formation, collaboration, communication, and self-awareness. These are suggested connections, not a formal standards alignment.
IB Learner Profile
- Reflective
- Caring
- Open-minded
- Communicators
IB Approaches to Learning
- Social skills
- Communication skills
- Self-management skills
21st Century Skills
- Collaboration
- Communication
- Social awareness
- Self-direction
Inquiry Practices
- Reflection
- Identity
- Questioning
- Connection-making
What's included
- A printable My World Map activity template for helping students reflect on strengths, interests, experiences, values, goals, and learning preferences.
Related resources
Ready to use it?
Download the free printable My World Map and help your students share strengths, interests, values, goals, and experiences for stronger collaboration.
Download for free