Learner Superpowers: The Attribute Action Sort

Target Age Group: 9–11 years old (Class 5)

Time Allotment: 30 Minutes

Materials Needed

• Five large sheets of paper or cardboard (for attribute labels)
• Markers
• Sticky notes or index cards (approx. 20)
• Tape or Blu-Tack (to stick labels up)
• Timer
• Pre-written Scenario Cards (see Appendix for examples)

Learning Objectives (The Big Goal)

By the end of this lesson, learners will be able to:

1. Define at least five core Learner Profile attributes (Inquirer, Thinker, Risk-taker, Principled, Reflective).
2. Match real-world actions and scenarios to the correct Learner Profile attribute.
3. Identify one attribute they plan to develop this week (Success Criteria).

1. Introduction: Unlocking Your Learning Superpowers

Hook (2 minutes)

Educator Talk: "Think about your favorite fictional hero—maybe a character in a book or a superhero movie. What makes them successful? Is it just their power, or is it how they use their brain? Today, we are going to identify the ten mental 'superpowers' that all great learners use. We call these the Learner Profile Attributes."

Activity: Quick Introduction (I Do)

• Educator quickly introduces the ten attributes, defining the five core attributes we will focus on today with simple actions:
  • Inquirer: Loves asking 'why?' (Action: Raise hand like asking a question)
  • Thinker: Solves hard problems (Action: Tap temple)
  • Principled: Does the right thing, even when no one is watching (Action: Point to heart)
  • Risk-taker: Tries new things, even if they might fail (Action: Step forward boldly)
  • Reflective: Thinks about what they learned and how they can do better (Action: Look back over the shoulder)

Stating Objectives (1 minute)

Educator Talk: "Our goal is to figure out which superpower fits which action! You will be sorting scenarios and discovering which power you use most often."

2. Body: The Attribute Action Sort

Step 1: Setting up the Arena (3 minutes)

Action: Prepare the five large attribute labels (Inquirer, Thinker, Principled, Risk-taker, Reflective). Tape or place these five labels spread out in different areas of the learning space (e.g., corners of the room, different chairs, or areas of a large table).

Instructions: "These five spots are our Learner Attribute Stations. You will move quickly between them."

Step 2: Scenario Speed Sort (We Do) (8 minutes)

Goal: Active practice applying the definitions.

1. Educator reads a scenario card aloud (e.g., "You disagree with a friend but listen carefully to their explanation.")
2. Learner(s) quickly move to the Attribute Station they think best matches the scenario.
3. Formative Check: After the learner arrives at the station, the educator asks: "Why did you choose [Attribute]?" (This confirms understanding.)
4. Repeat this process with 4–5 different scenario cards, ensuring all five attribute stations are visited.

Scenario Examples (Adapt based on context):

• You spend 20 minutes trying to fix a broken toy before asking for help. (Thinker)
• You admitted you accidentally broke a rule, even though you could have blamed someone else. (Principled)
• You started a school club about a topic you are passionate about, even though you were nervous. (Risk-taker/Communicator)
• You took notes during the lesson and then reviewed them to see what confused you. (Reflective)

Step 3: Creating New Actions (You Do) (9 minutes)

Goal: Independent application and deeper understanding.

1. Distribute sticky notes/index cards to the learner(s).
2. The Challenge: "We have five stations set up. Now, let’s think about the other five attributes we mentioned: Communicator, Knowledgeable, Open-minded, Caring, and Balanced."
3. Learners choose two of the five remaining attributes.
4. For each chosen attribute, the learner must write (or draw) a new scenario that demonstrates that attribute. (E.g., for 'Caring,' they might write: "You helped a classmate who looked sad during lunch.")
5. Learners share their two new scenarios and explain why they chose that attribute.

3. Conclusion: Reflection and Takeaways

Reflective Closure (3 minutes)

Educator Talk: "Great work identifying those superpowers! We learned that being a great learner is about much more than just having the right answers—it’s about how you approach challenges."

Activity: What’s Next? (Summative Assessment)

1. Ask the learner(s) to look back at the ten attributes we discussed.
2. Instruct them to take one sticky note and write down one attribute they want to consciously use more often this week.
3. Learner sticks this note somewhere visible (e.g., on their desk, textbook, or bedroom mirror).
4. Success Criteria Check: "Can you tell me one action you will take tomorrow that uses this chosen attribute?" (e.g., "I chose Inquirer, so tomorrow I will ask three questions about the book we are reading.")

Final Recap (2 minutes)

Educator Talk: "Remember, these attributes are skills you practice. Being a Risk-taker means you try something new, and being Reflective means you think about what happened after. Keep practicing your learning superpowers!"

Adaptability and Differentiation

Scaffolding (For learners needing support)

• Visual Aids: Provide small, laminated cards with the definition and the corresponding icon/action gesture next to the station labels during the Attribute Action Sort.
• Chunking: If 10 attributes are overwhelming, focus solely on the 5 core attributes during the entire 30 minutes, skipping the "Creating New Actions" phase.
• Verbal Over Written: Allow learners to verbally explain their new scenarios instead of writing them out during the "You Do" phase.

Extension (For advanced learners)

• Attribute Application: Challenge the learner to identify historical figures, fictional characters, or people they know who best embody 3 different attributes. They must justify their choices.
• Critical Analysis: Ask: "Can two attributes ever conflict? For example, how does being a Thinker sometimes slow down being a Risk-taker?"

Context Adaptation

• Homeschool: The stations can be designated areas on a large table or specific pieces of furniture. Focus on deep, one-on-one discussion during the scenario explanation.
• Classroom/Group: Divide the class into five small teams, assigning each team one core attribute. During the "You Do" phase, they collaborate to create a short, silent skit demonstrating their assigned attribute.
• Training/Professional Development: Adapt the scenarios to workplace challenges (e.g., "You volunteer to lead a project using new software you haven't mastered yet" -> Risk-taker). Focus on how these attributes drive team innovation.

Formative Assessment Checklist