Planning & Reflection

Before diving into YPAR, take a moment to step back and imagine what it could look like in your unique classroom. Use our “Is YPAR a Good Fit for You?” Reflection Guide to reflect on your role as a facilitator, anticipate potential challenges, and identify opportunities to center student voice and leadership. This isn’t just a checklist—it’s a conversation starter for you and your colleagues, helping you envision how YPAR aligns with your teaching style, school culture, and student needs.

Once you’ve reflected, you’re ready to move from vision to action. Download our Unit Planner to start mapping out your YPAR journey—phase by phase. You’ll outline your goals, select a flexible pacing approach, and choose scaffolds that will help students thrive as researchers, storytellers, and changemakers in your classroom.

Is YPAR a Good Fit for You? Teacher Reflection

  • 1. Your Role in the YPAR Process

    Explore the different roles you may take on and the tensions that come with power-sharing in YPAR.

  • 2. Centering Student Voice

    Anticipate challenges and plan supports to elevate youth voice in real classroom contexts.

  • 3. Aligning with Standards or Curriculum

    Make explicit connections between YPAR and academic goals to support sustainability and buy-in.

  • 4. Choosing the Right YPAR Topic

    Use theme-based planning and brainstorm tools to help students identify meaningful research topics.

  • 5. Comfort with Research Methods

    Reflect on your facilitation strengths and plan for student research support.

  • 6. Action Planning

    Prepare to guide students through advocacy and change—even when the process is slow, complex, or uncomfortable.

  • 7. Power and Positionality

    Examine how your identity and authority shape the research process and relationships with students.

  • 8. Equity and Inclusion

    Plan intentionally for students who may need extra care, safety, or access to fully engage in YPAR.

Unit Planner & YPAR Guide Table

Once you’ve reflected, you’re ready to move from vision to action. Use the Unit Planner and YPAR Guide Table (see below) to start mapping out your YPAR journey on a calendar—phase by phase. You’ll outline your goals, select a flexible pacing approach, and choose scaffolds that will help students thrive as researchers, storytellers, and changemakers in your classroom.

The table below includes links to ready-to-use lesson plans, editable templates, and PowerPoint slides that break YPAR into manageable steps—from issue identification to data collection, analysis, and action planning. Designed for flexibility, they can be adapted to your content area, school context, and student needs, ensuring that every learner has the tools and confidence to lead meaningful change.

Phase/Session#/StepSession TitleLesson PlanPowerPoint
PHASE 1: IDENTIFY AN ISSUE
Step 1: Understand YPAR and Get Ready for Your Project
1Introduction to Youth Participatory Action Researchhttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1ndsAVUz_isOOdK1MpLej9p8KnH0w7V4n/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=truehttps://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1VPq2iY_pW1cemlaSnq-tAaxwJxdlQlje/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=true
2Building a YPAR Culturehttps://docs.google.com/document/d/17Ux6qZ4VnAxiYpcJOOOxxc4zuZ25NUL6/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=truehttps://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1BLta9T7LOLeJvTW8GcBPOOps57DXyE7U/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=true
3Action research (discussion of action research and issue identification)https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fFlS7FLBHOr9Izl4UnBfQlUwsxHLSoEA/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=truehttps://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1UpwyGZ_yNV8IVcQaf8ujE8Jrc9cr_BBm/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=true
Step 2: Identify the Issue
4.a.Pick a Topic https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JMvYKmjxzekNjFpip9dVaSAMQ68RIDUk/edithttps://docs.google.com/presentation/d/14V4JFoLSJdoQBMX2DY4GgVCIri1D0Wcv/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=true
4.b.Looking at the Root Cause of the Issuehttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1tGVxPl5ihrO7-NVgU7fCtiw4ck8LR6Py/edithttps://docs.google.com/presentation/d/14V4JFoLSJdoQBMX2DY4GgVCIri1D0Wcv/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=true
4.c. Asking "So What" and Developing a RQhttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1LHYM5NTl78kkeGMmizzKFNgMv9Vdjo5s/edithttps://docs.google.com/presentation/d/14V4JFoLSJdoQBMX2DY4GgVCIri1D0Wcv/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=true
5Identify Community Sources of Informationhttps://docs.google.com/document/d/146uDajllUC4LheZnvrrB01wbb4jHvtBO/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=truehttps://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1mXoBa5Y_o17SnLbtWLBDJ6uhB8VF62-D/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=true
6Review Literaturehttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1uu6u-I4BTRXd5SCodexe_MWMPbSLmOX_/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=truehttps://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1gPV_QyVmdaeElbbeQinx7qv1ptXYhnab/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=true
PHASE 2: DATA COLLECTION
Step 3: Decide on Research Method
7Choose a Research Methodhttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1JjTChATavL-Z4SpZfCEV766vwJxLXO1a/edithttps://docs.google.com/presentation/d/14nP-8i9XoNxPwejozvAf5Obs6ZS_G2Sj/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=true
Step 4 Planning for Data Collections
8Planning for Data Collection and Decide on Your Research Question (teachers will choose qualitative or quantitative)https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Tg8u9s0hQnwjKtVZll0WB-2pLjlN9akB/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=truehttps://docs.google.com/presentation/d/14_0c9st6_3NQM7Qgx3b8YHP815uVoPxr/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=true
Step 5a. Using Qualitative Methods
9a - Part 1Planning and Creating Interviews and Focus Groupshttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1rChOPii6Kdx4t60yRMlikKrddtBtqj1Z/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=truehttps://docs.google.com/presentation/d/14r19au41vyN7KpQ7t1rI3m0F2FIMGoXV/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=true
9a - Part 2Planning and Creating Interviews and Focus Groupshttps://docs.google.com/document/d/11zm6a7qgD-bYXq_gKvGvkRoR7e-l_-qV/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=truehttps://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1xjXAstqQjD7F1KMOqjVb8PJXqmJetrcd/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=true
9a - Part 3Planning and Creating Interviews and Focus Groupshttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1JhiLiwIcRa72B2QhgfmXtSxdikPwIa7W/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=truehttps://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1QB6IchTKLOGM73lkQqHip6M601vkZ6wc/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=true
9b.Planning for Observations: Basic Skills of Observationshttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1lNudL9WdyNtWrY0X570uGKU8I7zy77fK/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=truehttps://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1r1PZzj3lnPF5kNRieVyIyJmzyQv7PfpU/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=true
9c.Planning for Existing (Secondary) Data Researchhttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1fITIqSmZ3s2vxxG8DTsAVQPY7poqJYrf/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=truehttps://docs.google.com/presentation/d/12eKwcUDP9iocHqi8vzYMvN4Y-s5Loism/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=true
9d.Planning for and engaging Art-Based MethodsLesson Plan - In ProcessPowerPoint - In Process
10Planning for Data Collection (finalizing data collection documents and reflecting on Recruitment)https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jX4gbXlxgxHE3gXYoFqsMmVd7KblN99W/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=truehttps://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1aVb2ZI3pEIYbqB6pTLBge1V4_AtXc9yD/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=true
Step 5b. Using Quantitative Methods
11aDevelop a Hypothesishttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1S2YoL5UsxCC1h1JEDBugvYrzk3S67rkv/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=truehttps://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1mbTO-aHHHrozt07zAjO47abGCRQ1OHw0/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=true
11bSurvey Basics and Protocol Developmenthttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1NCyuH0FtpthXmiIf9j13RBbT3_8JDz1g/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=truehttps://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1n1Apz76dq3r51yMswCWurDzJ7d6mZjOh/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=true
11cCreate an Introductionhttps://docs.google.com/document/d/17nSQg258dg0fD5JVvUxmxQDeSkz74cjh/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=truehttps://docs.google.com/presentation/d/19YXH-E6xXlTMxKtbIgC7eQfX_yBb0Qmd/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=true
11dData Collection - Administering the Surveyhttps://docs.google.com/document/d/10H_pAh1SXu9CsXjZsBbFpsTrmpm7KmcB/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=truehttps://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1uKMCTCGy3vVQrh5nW1YBvut_4DjZoCCq/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=true
PHASE 3: DATA ANALYSIS
Step 6: Organize and Analyze Data
12 - Part 1Planning for Data Analysishttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1oQv7XrIjBb21LGbJUW9uZMhn6_aepp2v/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=truehttps://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Orw4TNnDJfnbm-r6AX0pcBaqrC0yrMYy/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=true
12 - Part 2Open-Ended Coding and Close Ended Codinghttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1-kk-fCtJpjgnKcWaWbFD9axC-npOw0hP/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=truehttps://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1xfCsbat6KGxjr7jrvWU9Ga82xcAcjwLi/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=true
Step 7: Reflect and Evaluate
14Reflexivity: Evaluate the Progress of the Research Projecthttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1HQ23A0c_7s8oPwPO4LZOKPXH3XXxfyu9/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=truehttps://docs.google.com/presentation/d/15hsLlxSC4BfmmdSTp5aWWR7UFkYdY2Lk/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=true
PHASE 4: TAKE ACTION
Step 8: Using Research For Change
15Planning for action: Goals and Audienceshttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1fHJw3XpWiyjkmSTLg3jQzZn16Io4AKPS/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=truehttps://docs.google.com/presentation/d/13voNIA3Uhzl_xw_Of93acwfTCSfGTcPY/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=true
16Planning for action: Using Findings to Take Action https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mNA5VULzFIfP31OXJntOmce4VXwiGGOe/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=truehttps://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1XMR93n2rhMw1Dv7n2wuVXZ4uiPzodYWn/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=true
Step 9: Presentation Preparation
17 - Part 1Answering the “So What” and Writing Your Findingshttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1q5f58Jw9veccVyyJgyZIj4qbPtiVN7B7/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=truehttps://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1EP05zSq1r5cGPBN28_JC6etFOcgEWG7G/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=true
17 - Part 2Answering the “So What” and Writing Your Findingshttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1GShkdn9Z4e108fx6do5rglaFfU001znj/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=truehttps://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1xNL0qxJLwXPqvdbD9yZ7138QgmBC0tvR/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=true
17 - Part 3Answering the “So What” and Writing Your Findingshttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1v-PFu6wTEsXIYre_h0OvBoaaVZEzHuUL/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=truehttps://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1zzsyrW7RXSX3_B0fEZ4ehBWJAEEBr-kd/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=true
18 - Part 1Presentation Skillshttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1pAj9-v6230XeWFpKI9mHUPUGhNS75S7U/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=truehttps://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1C0qp4Gjmuz_IMX-RatG-VM95PNK0zbvF/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=true
18 - Part 2Practice Presentation https://docs.google.com/document/d/19nRec77rGTY5ndwf80UH2cKJLO3GpAkR/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=truehttps://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1LSVMqJp-u9hb4eVq1fDhOY8I7VolLe6T/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=true
Step 10: Celebrate and Share
19Celebration and Presentations!https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SQxMP9A-F_0zM2sAq4WN3HEfjnsZQu1j/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=truehttps://docs.google.com/presentation/d/16uU7vD5zJ2jm9JHAmYzhM6rVrKBtE4BB/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=true
20Talking to Stakehoders Lesson Plan - In ProcessPowerPoint - In Process