Grade 6 Exhibition

1. Identify the issue, challenge, or problem to be addressed

The purpose of an action plan is to organize and develop solutions to address a specific issue, challenge, or problem. Students should choose an issue or concern that they feel passionate about. Possible general topics include:

• Globalization
• Child and youth issues
• Women's rights
• Poverty
• Education rights
• Rights for people with special needs

Keep in mind that these are general topics. Students will need to decide on a specific problem within the general topic they are interested in.

2. Evaluate the issue

Once students have decided on an issue they feel passionate about, they need to evaluate the challenge concerning five key areas:

1. Background refers to the history of the issue, including the cause and other individuals or problems trying to address the same problem. Some research will need to be done to understand the historical context.
2. Need relates to address the specifics of the issue. Essentially, students ask, "What needs to happen to address this issue?"
3. Constraints are factors that keep people from solving the problem. Constraints might include a lack of money, time, or people willing to address the issue.
4. Resources available refers to a consideration of the resources that are currently accessible by the students.
5. Resources needed relates to resources that will need to be searched for to tackle the issue.

3. Develop a mission statement

The Mission Statement aims to be a concise description of the purpose of the action plan. It does not try to establish specific tasks. The mission addresses the context and the purpose of addressing the issue.

4. Create Goals

The goals will explain the intended tasks that will be completed in order to fulfill the mission. Effective goals are action-oriented, clear, and relate directly to the problem. One way of checking that the goals are well established is to use the SMART formula:

Are the goals:

S - specific

M - measurable

A - achievable

R - realistic

T - time-bound?

5. Construct Action Steps

Action steps are a realistic list of solutions and activities that will address the issue and help to achieve the goals. To set action steps, consider the five background evaluations made earlier (need, constraints, resources available, and resources needed) with respect to the identified issues.

6. Publish the Action Plan

Students create a written action plan to distribute to interested parties.

The action plan will need:

1. A title
2. A mission statement
3. Goals
4. Issue and background
5. Action steps

7. Carry Out and Evaluate the Action Plan

As students work through their action plans, they may find that their goals and plans change. It is important that students make notes of the changes they make and reflect on the cause and effect of the changes made. Reflection questions students may need to ask include:

• Did you accomplish your goals? 
• Did your action steps help you to achieve your goals?
• Did you make changes to your plans? Why was this necessary?
• What did you learn from this process?

8. Presenting the Action Plan

The action plan will be presented to teachers for evaluation. The presentation will include:

• The written action plan
• The action steps
• Photographic/ video evidence of the plan being put into action
• A reference letter from someone who witnessed or benefited from the action plan

Students are also expected to explain their action plans verbally. They should be able to:

• Give a summary of the document
• Explain their experiences
• Explain their belief that led to the project undertaken
• Give a self-assessment of how they have grown as a learner
• Give possible ideas for future action
• Connect the central idea, the lines of inquiry, and the Biblical Christian worldview.