Minds On
Helping others in our communities
Explore the following video about the “Math of Change” with Hannah Alper.
Brainstorm
Why is it important to help others?
Consider why is it important to help those in your community and beyond. What are some important points that Hannah makes in the video? What is the Math of Change?
Record your ideas on paper, on the computer, as an audio clip or using another method of your choice.
Action
Exploring important issues
Explore the following video “Super Citizens: Elizabeth – Grandma Club Volunteer” to learn about a real young girl who gives her time doing crafts in a long-term care residence and visiting with the residents.
Brainstorm
What issues are important to you?
What are some issues at school, in the community, provincially/territorially, or nationally that are important to you?
Press Hint to explore some examples.
Think of the different rights and responsibilities you have at home. Complete the Important Issues mind map in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document. You may also use another method of your choice.
Is it environmental or social?
Review your completed list and identify which issues are related to the environment and which issues would be considered social issues.
Social issues focus on the interactions between humans, and the impacts that those actions can have on others, and might include access to healthcare, education, employment opportunities, housing, etc.
Environmental issues focus on the natural environment (air, water, wildlife, plants/forests), and might include erosion, clean water, air quality, global warming, etc.
Select one to two social issues from your list that you are passionate about. Then, decide which one of those you would like to explore further.
You will create a plan of action in order to help address the social issue.
Let’s explore how to create an action plan.
Steps of an action plan
When creating an action plan, there are five steps that can be followed.
Step 1: Determine the social focus or issue: decide on a topic and ask questions about the topic to help guide your investigation.
Step 2: Investigate and analyse the data: consider how you will gather and organize data. You can conduct a survey, explore online, media outlets, and text resources, conduct an observation, conduct a questionnaire, conduct an interview, explore different types of maps (forest, habitats, erosion, etc.), etc.
Step 3: Determine the level of government: decide which level(s) of government need to be involved to help address the social issue.
Step 4: Brainstorm: determine different ways to help solve the social issue.
Step 5: Action Plan: specify why this social issue is important, specify the actions to be taken by the appropriate level(s) of government and citizens, and the information/data you would include in order to support your action plan.
Sort the action plan steps!
Create an action plan for the issue of lack of affordable housing. The action plan below is out of order. Use the Five Step Action Plan organizer or an organizer of your choice to make this an effective action plan.
First, explore the actions for the plan.
Then, sort the information into its proper step.
Here is the information you need to complete your Action Plan organizer.
Provincial/Territorial and Municipal government
Issue: Lack of affordable housing
Questions: Are there any current projects to improve housing? What are some areas in need? What types of housing can be built in the area? What other programs/services could be included to help people find affordable housing?
Conduct research online by exploring different government websites that share services and housing plans, exploring maps, and highlighting different communities in need.
It is important to increase the amount of affordable housing to provide people with a basic human need.
The Provincial government can support by:
- providing more funding to municipalities for community housing
- providing monthly supports for families
- create housing price caps in certain areas
The municipal government can support by:
- providing funding for housing
- turning hotels into apartments
Ask the Provincial/Territorial government to provide the municipality with additional funding for community housing, increase the number of affordable options for people by asking the municipal government to fund payments, provide families with monthly support, and ask for support from companies to create more affordable options.
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Step 1: Determine the social focus or issue: decide on a topic and ask questions about the topic to help guide your investigation. |
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Step 2: Investigate and analyse the data: consider how you will gather and organize data. You can conduct a survey, explore online, media outlets, and text resources, conduct an observation, conduct a questionnaire, conduct an interview, explore different types of maps (forest, habitats, erosion, etc.) etc. |
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Step 3: Determine the level of government: decide which level(s) of government need to be involved to help address the social issue. |
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Step 4: Brainstorm: determine different ways to help solve the social issue. |
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Step 5: Action Plan: specify why this social issue is important, specify the actions to be taken by the appropriate level(s) of government and citizens, and the information/data you would include in order to support your action plan. |
Press the ‘Activity’ button to access Action Plan Steps.
Consolidation
Let’s take action!
What social issue drives you to make change? In this section, you will be creating your own action plan that focuses on a social issue of your choice.
Creating a social issue action plan
You could focus your action plan on access to healthcare, employment, education, housing, food security, childcare, emergency services, recreation, or an issue of your choice.
Student Tips
Don’t forget the steps!
It may be useful to have the Action Plan Steps document open as you create your own action plan.
You can also use this interactive checklist as you complete the steps.
Action Plan Steps
You can record your ideas in the fillable and printable Action Plan Organizer. You can also complete this activity in your notebook or using a method of your choice.
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Steps |
Action Plan |
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What is my social focus/topic? What questions can I ask about the topic? |
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How will I gather data? (surveys, interviews, questionnaires, online/text research, observations, maps, etc) |
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Which level or levels of government should be involved? |
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What are some ideas to help solves the social issue? |
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Why is this social issue important? What specific actions can the appropriate level(s) of government and/or citizens take? What information/data will I include in order to support my action plan? |
Press the ‘Activity’ button to access Action Plan Organizer.
Review questions
Record your response to the following prompts using a method of your choice.
What community groups might be able to offer services or assistance?
How would you decide which community groups are best suited to provide the services needed to address the issue in you action plan?
What other information would you need to gather to help with the development of your action plan?
Reflection
As you read through these descriptions, which sentence best describes how you are feeling about your understanding of this learning activity? Press the button that is beside this sentence.
I feel...
Now, record your ideas using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.
Press ‘Discover More’ to extend your skills.
Discover MoreConduct your action plan. Follow the steps you created to gather your data. Create a letter, slideshow, PSA, or use another format to record your action plan. If possible, send your action plan to the appropriate government, or promote change in your community.