Teacher's Workroom - Action Cycle

Action

Initiated by students, PYP action is authentic, meaningful, mindful, responsible and responsive.

Action could be:

• a change in attitude

• a consideration or plan for action in the future

• a demonstration of responsibility, or of respect for self, others and the environment

• a commitment to leading or participating in a youth advocacy group

• an engagement in school decision-making or an expression of support in community, local and global

decision-making.

Students exercise agency by making responsible choices; these choices can sometimes include conscious

decisions not to act. It may be that students take time to research and reflect upon possible courses of

action and decide against taking action because of the connected consequences and potential impact on

others (Boix Mansilla, Jackson 2011).

From The Learner

Example of Types of Action

Participation

Being actively involved in the learning

community and showing commitment

to contributing as individuals and as

members of a group.

Examples include:

• making appropriate choices and taking responsibility for personal learning and actions

• working collaboratively with teachers and peers to plan, present, reflect upon, adjust and contribute to collective

action

• contributing to discussions and learning experiences

• raising awareness of opportunities for taking action with peers and/or family

• getting involved in class, school and community projects

• being aware of democratic processes and taking part in decision-making

• representing a collective voice in class or school meetings.

Advocacy

Taking action individually or collectively to publicly support positive social, environmental or political change.

Examples include:

• supporting peers in the learning community

• sharing ideas with others, for example, peers, school leadership, local or global community organizations

• presenting reasoned arguments on behalf of others

• taking on the role of student representative at class, school, local community level and beyond

• initiating, or being part of, a campaign for positive change.

Social Justice

Taking action for positive change relating to human rights, equality and equity.

Being concerned with the advantages and disadvantages within society, and with social well-being and justice for all.

Examples include:

exploring issues of fairness from different perspectives

• challenging assumptions and generalizations

• being aware of, and inquiring further into, challenges and opportunities in the local and global community

• volunteering in response to community needs

• reflecting on experiences involving positive social change

• reflecting on the ethical consequences of potential decisions and actions.

Social entrepreneurship

Supporting positive social change through responding to the needs of local, national and global communities;

applying prior knowledge and skills to identify and address challenges and opportunities in innovative, resourceful and sustainable ways.

Examples include:

•designing, planning and developing models and solutions to address identified issues

• initiating and maintaining projects that have a positive impact on the learning community (for example, peer tutoring and mentoring, recycling systems, garden club, walking-to-school route maps, starting and running an initiative)

• connecting with businesses, organizations and other community partners to support local and global projects and initiatives

Lifestyle choices

Making positive lifestyle changes in

response to learning.

Examples include:

considering and acting on factors that contribute to personal, social and physical health and well-being

• taking responsibility for interactions and relationships with others

• reflecting on the impact of personal choices on local and global environments

• engaging in responsible and sustainable consumption (for example, making informed decisions surrounding food,

energy, water, materials usage).

• addressing issues surrounding consumer activism (for example, reflecting on corporate responsibility, product

safety, workers rights, ethics)

Ideas for simple ways to take action

Small Poster, Bookmarks, and Journal

Action

From The Learner

Example of Types of Action

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