Introduction to CASCreativity Action Service

What is CASCAS is an obligatory component of the IB diploma and

essential for all students graduate from ISB

• CAS enables students to develop themselves through experiential learning.

• The aims of CAS are clearly identified in this short video clip. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAwZ5glGM18&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcascorner.wordpress.com%2Fcategory%2Fvideo%2F&feature=player_embedded

Creativity Action Service• Creativity: Arts and other experiences

that involve creative thinking

• Action: Physical exertion on the body contributing to a healthy lifestyle

• Service: Service Learning - We define service learning as a research-based learning method through which skills are applied through planned action that addresses an authentic community need.

Activities• ISB and the CAS coordinators provide

numerous opportunities for CAS. These can be found on the CAS site, and students receive regular email updates.

• Students can also participate in CAS activities outside the school, for these they MUST have prior approval from the CAS coordinator.

How do we know if the activities are CAS valid?

• Must be real purposeful activities, which have significant outcomes

• Must involve personal challenge

• Must reach at least one of the learning outcomes

• Must allow for thoughtful reflection

Learning outcomes1. Undertaken new challenges2. Planned and initiated activities3. Worked collaboratively with others4. Shown perseverance and commitment to

activities 5. Engaged with issues of global importance6. Considered the ethical implications of one’s

actions 7. Developed new skills 8. Increased awareness of strengths and

areas for growth

Recording activitiesCAS-site http://isb.managecas.com/ can be accessed via BB

A central location where students plan, log and reflect on their CAS activities

It contains an up-to-date list of all activities

All the relevant documents that are needed

ReflectionsHow do we know students have reached

their goals?•Students need to demonstrate their learning from CAS activities via thoughtful reflections on the CAS site. Reflections must justify how they met the learning outcomes.

•Reflections:• Written journals• Blog format• Photo/video journals

Questions that guide reflections

• What they did?

• How they felt about it?

• What did they learn from the experience

• What did you learn from the people they were working with and the people they were trying to help?

• How will this experience help them plan their future activities?

What does this look like at ISB?

Over the 3 years in the high school students must complete +/- 110 Hours

+/- 30 HOURS CREATIVITY+/- 30 HOURS ACTION+/- 50 HOURS SERVICE

Students in 10th grade

Students can earn 10 HOURS in each of the categories so…

10 hours in CREATIVITY10 hours in ACTION10 hours in SERVICE

Students in 11th grade

By the end of 11th grade students should have completed at least 20 hours in creativity and action and 30 hours in service.

Should have completed their super-project.

The super project• Involve teamwork

• Integrate two or more of creativity, action and service

• Be of significant duration (2-3 months in planning and execution).

• Must have a clear goal

• Should ideally involve students applying their knowledge to address a global issue 

• Provide real benefits to people in need

Advisory Projects(new this year)

Each advisory group is participating in a year long service learning project.

Students chose their projects based on their interests and an identified need.

Students researched their chosen area (and documented this research)

Students then plan and execute a series of activities that will provide benefits for a community in their chosen area.

And 12th grade...Students need to be involved in CAS until they graduate, by March of their 12th grade year they should have completed +/- 30 HOURS CREATIVITY+/- 30 HOURS ACTION+/- 50 HOURS SERVICE

You might think: That’s a huge amount!But for example if students do only one season of sports, it gives them at least 100 hours in action!

UltimatelyStudent must TAKE OWNERSHIP OVER

their OWN CAS ACTIVITIES and this involves

LONG-TERM, SUBSTANTIAL PROJECTS THAT FULFILL LEARNING

OUTCOMES.

Help11th and 12th graders are familiar with the program and can help, as can the advisors.

CAS coordinator is always available to help and to answer questions.

Michelle Brown: brownm@isbe.be

(CAS office 1-23)

Questions?