Priority Pyramid
A simpler alternative to diamond ranking where learners stack ideas into a pyramid, placing the most important at the top and working down.
What is priority pyramid?
- Learners arrange ideas into a pyramid shape with the most important at the top
- Simpler than diamond ranking, making it accessible for younger learners
- Groups discuss and reach consensus on each placement
- Works well with 6 or 10 statement cards
How it works
Priority pyramid works like diamond ranking but with a simpler structure. Learners arrange statements or ideas into a pyramid shape: one at the top, two on the next row, three on the next, and so on. The top is the most important, the bottom the least.
Give learners a set of statement cards (typically 6 or 10 to make a neat pyramid). Groups discuss and arrange them, reaching consensus on each placement. The simpler shape makes this more accessible for younger learners or as an introduction before moving to diamond ranking.
Classroom example
A Year 4 class exploring "What makes a good friend?" in Health and Well-being. The teacher gives six cards: "shares with you", "tells the truth", "listens to you", "makes you laugh", "helps when you're sad", and "likes the same things". Groups build their pyramid and explain why their top choice matters most.
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Priority pyramid supports the "Develop" strand of thinking skills through forming opinions. It is particularly effective in Health and Well-being and Humanities AoLEs where values-based discussion is central. The simpler format makes it ideal for building thinking skills in younger learners before progressing to more complex tools like diamond ranking.
Tips
- Works well as a stepping stone to diamond ranking for younger classes.
- Use physical cards that learners can move around rather than asking them to write a list.
- The bottom row matters too. Ask groups: "What nearly made it higher?"
Related tools
Concept Cartoons
Cartoon-style illustrations showing characters with different viewpoints about a concept, prompting learners to discuss which ideas are correct and why.
Diamond Ranking
A prioritisation tool that gets learners discussing and defending what matters most, arranging ideas into a diamond shape that forces real choices.
Odd One Out
A quick classification tool where learners choose which item doesn't belong in a set and, crucially, explain why.
Source: Adapted from "How to develop thinking and assessment for learning in the classroom", Welsh Assembly Government, Guidance 044/2010.