Unit Planner

Use the Unit Planner and YPAR Guide Table (see below) to start mapping 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.

YPAR Phases Overview

  • Phase 1. Identify an Issue

    Phase 1 introduces YPAR within schools and the importance of power-sharing roles between teachers and students. We ask: What are the most critical issues in our school? What about this issue needs to change? What are the goals for addressing the issue?

  • Phase 2: Collect Data

    Phase 2 guides the data collection by breaking down quantitative and qualitative research methods. Here we ask: What information might one need to address the issue? What research methods work best to address the problem?

  • Phase 3: Analyze Data

    Phase 3 will provide guidelines and techniques for analyzing data needed to take action in YPAR. Questions include: What are the significant trends or themes that the data shows? What reflections and evaluations are necessary to take action?

  • Phase 4: Take Action

    Phase 4 supports collaborators in using what was learned from the research to take action. Collaborators will brainstorm recommendations based on the research findings and reflect on the actions needed to support student recommendations.

Unit Planner & YPAR Guide Table

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/edithttps://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1VPq2iY_pW1cemlaSnq-tAaxwJxdlQlje/edit?slide=id.g3b6e5ef3737_0_448#slide=id.g3b6e5ef3737_0_448
2Building a YPAR Culturehttps://docs.google.com/document/d/17Ux6qZ4VnAxiYpcJOOOxxc4zuZ25NUL6/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=true(Same PP as above)
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=true(Same PP as above)
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?slide=id.g3b8a1936a84_1_40#slide=id.g3b8a1936a84_1_40
4.b.Looking at the Root Causehttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1tGVxPl5ihrO7-NVgU7fCtiw4ck8LR6Py/edit(Same PP as above)
4.c. Asking "So What" and Developing a RQhttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1LHYM5NTl78kkeGMmizzKFNgMv9Vdjo5s/edit(Same PP as above)
5Identify Sources of Informationhttps://docs.google.com/document/d/146uDajllUC4LheZnvrrB01wbb4jHvtBO/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=true(Same PP as above)
6Review Literaturehttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1uu6u-I4BTRXd5SCodexe_MWMPbSLmOX_/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=true(Same PP as above)
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/1VPq2iY_pW1cemlaSnq-tAaxwJxdlQlje/edit?slide=id.g3b6e5ef3737_0_448#slide=id.g3b6e5ef3737_0_448
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 2Planning for Data Analysishttps://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
13Identifying Themes for Specific MethodsLesson Plan - In ProcessPowerPoint - In Process
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 your Findings to Make Recommendationshttps://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