Student Agency in Action – Planning and Preparing Our Earthquake Drill

 

Taking Action and Leading with Confidence – Earthquake Learning in Action

This week in Unit 4, How the World Works, our Grade 3 learners continued their inquiry into earthquakes with a strong focus on responsibility, preparedness, and taking meaningful action.

We began by deepening our understanding of safe and unsafe actions during an earthquake. Through a sorting activity and reflective discussions, students analysed different behaviors and evaluated which actions reduce risk and which could increase danger. This helped them think critically and apply their knowledge to real-life situations. As part of developing their self-management skills, we practiced and reflected on safe behavior during an earthquake drill scenario, paying close attention to calm decision-making and awareness of our surroundings.

A key highlight of the week was the collaborative planning of our next earthquake drill. The students worked together using their social skills and decision-making abilities to design the key steps of the procedure. They practiced “Duck and Cover,” identified safe and unsafe areas in our classroom, and created a simple class safety checklist. We discussed why emergency procedures are important and how preparation helps us act confidently instead of fearfully.

The children carefully planned roles and responsibilities for the drill, including counting students and identifying clear meeting points. They also prepared the earthquake drill announcements that they will deliver to the school community. In addition, they created a clear plan for how they will brief teachers in advance about procedures and key responsibilities before the drill takes place. This process truly reflects the PYP emphasis on student agency and leadership.

After practicing the drill steps, students engaged in thoughtful self-reflection. They considered questions such as: What worked well? What can we improve? How did we feel during the drill? These reflections strengthened their ability to evaluate their own behavior and grow from the experience.

To extend our action beyond the classroom, students began creating an Earthquake Information Wall outside our classroom. This wall will share safety knowledge with others and encourage the wider school community to be prepared. It is wonderful to see students taking initiative and recognizing that learning can make a real difference.

In Mathematics, we completed our work on rounding and dividing with remainders. Students applied different strategies, explained their thinking, and demonstrated perseverance when solving more complex problems.

In English, we continued developing our understanding of role play. Students explored what is needed for an effective performance, including clear dialogue, expression, and simple props. They also analysed a story together, examining characters and structure, and then creatively continued the narrative using their own ideas. It was exciting to see their imagination and confidence grow.

It has been a week filled with collaboration, reflection, and purposeful action. Our learners are not only building knowledge about how the world works, but also developing the skills and attitudes needed to respond thoughtfully and responsibly within it.