We Are The Future: We Are Agents of Change!

Jill Stepanian, Shady Brook Elementary

Tracy Rock, UNC Charlotte

Inspiring Agents of Change

Questions We Asked:• How do you inspire young learners to become Agents

of Change? • How do you engage young learners in participatory

citizenship? 

Two Steps We Followed:• First, study and learn from the many leaders of the

past and present.  Who are Agents of Change?  What did they do?  How did they do it? What are common characteristics that Agents of Change share?

•  Second, provide the opportunity for young learners to discover that they can be Agents of Change right in their own local school, community, nation or world. 

Step One: Study and Learn (Weeks 1-2)

• Read about a variety of Agents of Change across time and place and identify shared common characteristics

• Use the AGENTS acronym to help students understand key processes used to bring about change in a community

• Learn the movements and lyrics to the Agents of Change Song

AGENTS Acronym

A - Awareness of IssueG - Generate knowledgeE - Empower OthersN - Navigate and Negotiate Pathways for

ChangeT - Take ActionS - Speak Out

Research and Present (Weeks 3-5)

• Individually select and research an Agent of Change for a Living History Museum

• Each class took a different era of time/theme to focus their work

(Revolutionary War; Civil War; Civil Rights; Explorers)

• Students created a written profile and an oral presentation in first person and dressed in character.

Preparing to Present Agents of Change!

Photo Gallery

Rosa Parks Isabelle Eberhardt

Photo Gallery

Cesar Chavez Jackie Robinson

Step Two: Becoming Agents of Change (Weeks 6-8)

• Define what a Service Learning project is and learn about the different types: Direct, Indirect, and Advocacy.

• Students brainstorm needs or problems they are aware of.

• Discuss how the needs or problems affect their community. Analyze the potential of the various projects based on criteria.

• Decide on project to implement.

Becoming Agents of Change

• Find possible solutions to the need or problem and plan what action they need to take.

• Students use their individual and group talents to put their plan into action.

• Celebrate class accomplishments and evaluate how the experience created a change.

Service Learning was Essential to the Unit Goal of Becoming “Participatory Citizens”

Service Learning Projects:

• Motivate students by giving them ownership of their learning.

• Allow students to apply their understanding through concrete experiences of what it takes to be an Agent of Change and actually become one.  

• Provide experiences for students to learn new skills with communicating ideas and implementing action to achieve their goals. 

• Challenge students to organize their time and work with others for a common purpose.   

 

Students put democracy into action and learned that you can be an Agent

of Change at any age!