Action is an integral part of the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and an opportunity for students to seek the opportunity to make a significant contribution to their local and global communities. It is a core component of agency and offers learners the ability to see that they can not only make a meaningful contribution to the world around them but also be change-makers.
Students are encouraged to reflect, to make informed choices and to take action that will help their peers, families, school and the wider community. Action is more than just a service project. It can happen at any age and be as simple as remembering to turn off the lights when leaving a room. It really is more a state of mind than a product. Richard Black put together the following questions to help us think about action as more than just “doing.”
Doing
Have you DONE something? Given? Helped? Picked up? Turned off? Smiled?
Thinking
Have you THOUGHT differently? Changed your mind? Wondered? Inquired?
Feeling
Have you FELT differently? Empathized? Loved? Felt? Inspired? Worried? Admired?
Having
Do you HAVE more of something? More knowledge? Respect? Care? Determination?
Saying
Have you SAID something? Informed? Explained? Told? Discussed? Debated? Asked?
Being
Have you BEEN a different person? Changed behaviors? Been more patient? More respectful?