Class Unity Jigsaw: Celebrating Diversity and Building a Class Community

Class set of 30 blank puzzle pieces that fit together to make one big puzzle. Each child can decorate their piece as they wish. The finished jigsaw can then prompt discussions about how although the individual pieces are all different they come together to make one whole, similar to their class - each person is different but they come together to make a class.

Why do you need this?
This activity allows each student to express their individuality and uniqueness by decorating their own jigsaw piece. This promotes inclusivity and celebrates the diversity within the classroom. As students work together to create a complete jigsaw puzzle, they learn the value of collaboration, teamwork, and unity.

How and when might you use this?
This activity could be used in a variety of ways:
Teachers may use this activity at the start of the school year, the teacher can introduce the activity as an icebreaker to help students get to know one another. Each student decorates their jigsaw piece with symbols, images, or words that represent their personality, interests, or background.

Throughout the school year, the teacher can incorporate the activity as part of ongoing efforts to build a strong classroom community. By completing the jigsaw puzzle together, students learn the importance of collaboration, teamwork, and respecting each other’s differences.

The activity can be used to celebrate cultural diversity within the classroom. Students can decorate their jigsaw pieces to represent aspects of their cultural heritage, such as flags, traditional symbols, or family customs. This allows students to share and learn about each other’s backgrounds in a positive and inclusive way.

Towards the end of the school year, the completed jigsaw puzzle can serve as a symbol of the class’s journey together. The teacher can facilitate a reflection activity where students share their thoughts and feelings about the collaborative process and the significance of each piece in creating a unified whole.

What’s included?
30 worksheets each with a different blank puzzle piece.