CREATIVITY, ACTION, SERVICE (CAS) CURRICULUM GUIDE (DP) 2013/14 COURSE OF STUDY
International School Winterthur - Zum Park 5 - 8404 Winterthur - Tel +41 (0)52 269 59 00 - Fax +41 (0)52 269 59 02 Email: administration@iswinterthur.ch - Web: www.iswinterthur.ch
International School Winterthur - Zum Park 5 - 8404 Winterthur - Tel +41 (0)52 269 59 00 - Fax +41 (0)52 269 59 02 Email: administration@iswinterthur.ch - Web: www.iswinterthur.ch
WHAT IS CAS? Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) is at the heart of the IB Diploma Program. It is one of the three essential elements in every student’s Diploma Program experience. CAS enables you to enhance your personal and interpersonal development through experiential learning and move beyond subject interests to gain new knowledge and skills. It also provides an important counterbalance to the academic pressures of the rest of the Diploma Program. Hopefully, you will find your CAS program to be both challenging and enjoyable. Students should aim to be consistently and thoughtfully engaged in Creativity, Action and Service throughout the course of the DP Program. The three strands of CAS are characterized as follows: Creativity: arts, as well as other experiences that involve creative thinking Action: physical exertion contributing to a healthy lifestyle, complementing academic work elsewhere in the Diploma Program. Service: an unpaid and voluntary exchange that has a learning benefit. The rights, dignity and autonomy of all those involved are respected.
WHAT IS THE
AIM OF CAS? CAS aims to develop students who are:
Knowledgeable Inquires Reflective
CREATIVITY
ACTION
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT Risk-Takers Caring Principled Balanced
SERVICE
Thinkers Communicators Open-minded
reflective thinkers – they understand their own strengths and limitations, identify goals and devise strategies for personal growth
willing to accept new challenges and new roles
aware of themselves as members of communities with responsibilities towards each other and the environment
active participants in sustained, collaborative projects
balanced – they enjoy and find significance in a range of in activities involving intellectual, physical, creative and emotional experiences
International School Winterthur - Zum Park 5 - 8404 Winterthur - Tel +41 (0)52 269 59 00 - Fax +41 (0)52 269 59 02 Email: administration@iswinterthur.ch - Web: www.iswinterthur.ch
WHAT ACTIVITIES ARE CONSIDERED CAS?
Consider the following questions when choosing your CAS activities:
Is there a significant purpose to my activity? Is it challenging for me? Can I plan this activity thoroughly and thoughtfully? Can I reflect on this activity? Can I achieve at least one of the learning outcomes?
CREATIVITY, ACTION, SERVICE (CAS) ACTIVITIES MUST INVOLVE ALL OF THE FOLLOWING FOUR CRITERIA:
real purposeful activities, with significant outcomes
personal challenge – tasks must extend the student and be achievable in scope
thoughtful consideration, such as planning, reviewing progress, reporting
reflection on outcomes and personal learning
AN ACTIVITY IS A COMMUNITY AND SERVICE ACTIVITY IF IT IS…
an event or activity designed to be of benefit to the community
an event or activity to support a non-profit agency
any structured program that promotes tutoring, mentoring, visiting or coaching, or whose purpose is to assist others who require the benefit of that assistance
an event or activity that supports work of a global nature
an event or activity that promotes positive environmental awareness
an event or activity that contributes to the health and well-being of any ethical group
AN ACTIVITY IS NOT A COMMUNITY AND SERVICE ACTIVITY IF …
the activity is a requirement of a class
wages or money is paid for the service performed
the activity consists of duties normally performed in the home (i.e. daily chores) or personal recreational activities
International School Winterthur - Zum Park 5 - 8404 Winterthur - Tel +41 (0)52 269 59 00 - Fax +41 (0)52 269 59 02 Email: administration@iswinterthur.ch - Web: www.iswinterthur.ch
DO YOUR P-A-R-T!
PLAN
.
Write
your ideas in your CAS Plan at the beginning of the year.
Discuss
possible CAS activities with your parents, friends, teachers, and community members, and share good ideas with your classmates.
Choose
an activity and confirm a supervisor for your activity by asking them directly.
Login
to ManageBac, click on the box that says Add an Activity
Describe
your activity in detail
Create
two specific and measurable goals
Link
your activity to one or two of the eight learning outcomes
Submit
it to to your advisor for approval.
ACT Complete your CAS activity!
REFLECT Login
to ManageBac, click on the box that says Reflection
Reflect
on your activity, your goals and your outcomes using the ideas provided
Upload
photos, videos, files and links to help show evidence of your participation and learning
Submit
your activity for reviewby your supervisor (make sure the email address is correct)
TRY SOMETHING NEW! Challenge
yourself with a new activity and start again at step one!
At the end of the academic year, students are required to show sufficient evidence that they have been consistently and thoughtfully engaged in Creativity, Action and Service throughout the course of the DP Program. CAS activities should continue for at least 18 months. The guideline for the minimum amount of CAS activity is approximately the equivalent of half a day per school week (three to four hours per week), or approximately 150 hours in total, with a reasonable balance between Creativity, Action and Service. “Hour counting� is not encouraged.
Successful completion of CAS is a requirement for the award of the IB Diploma. International School Winterthur - Zum Park 5 - 8404 Winterthur - Tel +41 (0)52 269 59 00 - Fax +41 (0)52 269 59 02 Email: administration@iswinterthur.ch - Web: www.iswinterthur.ch
LEARNING OUTCOMES
As a result of their CAS experience as a whole, including their reflections, there must be evidence that students have:
increased their awareness of their own strengths and areas for growth They are able to see themselves as individuals with various skills and abilities, some more developed than others, and understand that they can make choices about how they wish to move forward.
undertaken new challenges A new challenge may be an unfamiliar activity, or an extension to an existing one.
planned and initiated activities Planning and initiation will often be in collaboration with others. It can be shown in activities that are part of larger projects, for example, ongoing school activities in the local community, as well as in small student-led activities.
worked collaboratively with others Collaboration can be shown in many different activities, such as team sports, playing music in a band, or helping in a kindergarten. At least one project, involving collaboration and the integration of at least two of creativity, action and service, is required.
shown perseverance and commitment in their activities At a minimum, this implies attending regularly and accepting a share of the responsibility for dealing with problems that arise in the course of activities.
engaged with issues of global importance Students may be involved in international projects but there are many global issues that can be acted upon locally or nationally (for example, environmental concerns, caring for the elderly).
considered the ethical implications of their actions Ethical decisions arise in almost any CAS activity (for example, on the sports field, in musical composition, in relationships with others involved in service activities). Evidence of thinking about ethical issues can be shown in various ways, including journal entries and reflections.
developed new skills As with new challenges, new skills may be shown in activities that the student has not previously undertaken, or in increased expertise in an established area.
International School Winterthur - Zum Park 5 - 8404 Winterthur - Tel +41 (0)52 269 59 00 - Fax +41 (0)52 269 59 02 Email: administration@iswinterthur.ch - Web: www.iswinterthur.ch
CONSIDERATIONS FOR CAS ACTIVITIES A CAS activity should be something that you find intrinsically worthwhile and rewarding. Generally, CAS is not taking place when you are in a passive rather than an active role. CREATIVITY Creative activities should have a definite goal or outcome. This can present something of a challenge where, for example, you are a dedicated instrumental musician. It would be artificial to rule that something that is both a pleasure and a passion for you could not be considered part of your CAS experience. How, though, can it help to fulfill CAS learning outcomes? It may be useful to refer back to the section “The nature of creativity, action, service”, particularly to the second principle: personal challenge tasks must extend the student and be achievable in scope. Perhaps you can learn a particularly difficult piece, or a different style of playing, in order to perform for an audience. The context might be a fundraising activity or you might give a talk to younger children about the instrument, with musical illustrations. Appropriate CAS activities are not merely “more of the same”—more practice, more concerts with the school band, and so on. This excludes, for example, routine practice performed by IB music or dance students, but does not exclude music, dance or art activities that you are involved with outside the Diploma Program subject coursework.
ACTION If you are already a regular participant in a sport, your regular training will not necessarily count towards CAS. In order to make it count, setting goals, planning and reflecting on your achievement is essential. You can “extend” yourself by going further by, for example, passing on some of your skills and knowledge to others. If your chosen sport is entirely individual, perhaps you should try a team game, in order to experience the different pleasures and rewards on offer. Some excellent “action” activities are not sporting or competitive but involve physical challenge by demanding endurance (such as long-distance trekking) or the conquest of personal fears (for example, rock climbing). SERVICE It is essential that service activities meet learning outcomes outlined above. How exactly you met the learning outcomes will be detailed by you in your reflections on ManageBac. If they do not meet the outcomes, they are not experiential learning (hence not CAS). This rules out mundane, repetitive activities, as well as “service” without real responsibility.
International School Winterthur - Zum Park 5 - 8404 Winterthur - Tel +41 (0)52 269 59 00 - Fax +41 (0)52 269 59 02 Email: administration@iswinterthur.ch - Web: www.iswinterthur.ch
CONSIDERATIONS FOR CAS CONSIDERATIONS FOR POLITICAL ACTIVITIES The IB has no view on whether or not it is appropriate for students to be involved in political activities as part of their educational experience. If you are interested in pursuing this as a CAS activity, please see your CAS for approval first before you proceed. Should your activity get approved, it may be relevant to consider the following factors. •
Is the activity safe and secure, given the local circumstances?
•
Is it an activity that will cause, or worsen, social divisions?
•
Where are the learning opportunities for the students involved?
CONSIDERATIONS FOR RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES Some of the same concerns apply here as with political activity. For example, in some parts of the world religious observance is illegal in the school curriculum; in others it is compulsory. It is recognized that this is a sensitive and difficult area. Nevertheless, the general rule is that religious devotion, and any activity that can be interpreted as proselytizing, does not count as CAS. If you are interested in pursuing this as a CAS activity, please see your CAS coordinator for approval first before you proceed. Some relevant guiding principles are that CAS activities should enlarge students’ experience, encourage them towards greater understanding of people from different social or cultural backgrounds and include specific goals. By these criteria, work done by a religious group in the wider community, provided that the objectives are clearly secular, may qualify as CAS. Another key issue is whether students are able to make choices and use their initiative. In contrast, service (even of a secular nature) that takes place entirely within a religious community can at best only partially meet the aims and learning outcomes of CAS, so there would need to be evidence from students’ other activities that all the required outcomes had been met. WHAT DOESN’T COUNT? Examples of activities, which at first sight would appear to be inappropriate, are listed below. any class, activity or project that is already part of the Diploma Program an activity for personal reward, financial or benefit-in-kind simple, tedious and repetitive work a passive pursuit, e.g. museum, theatre, exhibition, concert visits part of family or religious duty work experience that only benefits the student fundraising with no clearly defined end in sight an activity where there is no responsible adult on site to evaluate your performance activities that cause division amongst different groups in the community volunteering in an old people’s or children’s home when you: have no idea of how the home operates are just making sandwiches have no contact at all with the old people or children actually do no service for other people
International School Winterthur - Zum Park 5 - 8404 Winterthur - Tel +41 (0)52 269 59 00 - Fax +41 (0)52 269 59 02 Email: administration@iswinterthur.ch - Web: www.iswinterthur.ch
COMMUNITY AND SERVICE ACTIVITY IDEAS SCHOOL COMMUNITY SERVICE :
- service within the school community - helping with PYP student clubs and activities - tutoring - activities that provides benefit to others in the school
VOLUNTEER WORK:
- with Seniors - includes assisting in a seniors' residence - helping with activities - participating in visiting and reading programs
YOUTH PROGRAM:
- assistance with the operation of youth programs - summer playground activities and camps
INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITIES:
- Helping someone who requires the assistance with shopping - writing letters or - transcribing - hospital visitations - involvement with chronic care - volunteer reading buddy
RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES:
- participation as a volunteer in programs for children - regular childcare - special events - clerical tasks
ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS:
- community clean-up - flower/tree planting - recycling projects - joining a green team as a part of Greenpeace
COMMUNITY EVENTS:
- helping organize events - parades - summer fairs - food drives
ARTS AND CULTURE:
- volunteer assistance at a gallery - performing arts production or program - community library - program
SPORTS AND RECREATION:
- coaching - assisting at sporting events
FUNDRAISING:
- canvassing - walk-a-thons - gift wrapping
COMMITTEE WORK:
- neighborhood or regional associations
WORK WITH ANIMALS:
- involvement with animal care or volunteer assistance at a local zoo or farm
International School Winterthur - Zum Park 5 - 8404 Winterthur - Tel +41 (0)52 269 59 00 - Fax +41 (0)52 269 59 02 Email: administration@iswinterthur.ch - Web: www.iswinterthur.ch
REFLECTION, RECORDING AND REPORTING REFLECTION Reflection needs to be developed and thoughtful. It should not be assumed that this comes naturally. Just as the kind of reflection that a critic applies to a work of art or literature, so the kind of reflection appropriate in CAS. The fundamentals are simple. For any activity, it is appropriate to ask the following questions:
What about this activity is new for me?
How, specifically, does this activity qualify as “creative,” “action,” or “service”?
What will I learn by getting involved?
How can this activity benefit me and others?
How will I plan to measure and evaluate this activity?
What is my a goal?
What can I reflect on during this activity?
Do I have someone who agrees to supervise me and attest to my level of participation in this activity?
RECORDING AND REPORTING IN MANAGEBAC All of your CAS activities need to be documented in ManageBac. As previously indicated, this documentation may take many forms, including weblogs, illustrated displays, photos, scanned leaflets, certificates and videos, and written notes. These can be uploaded or linked to in ManageBac before the activity is submitted to your supervisor for approval. The extent of your reflection and supporting evidence should match the significance of the particular activity to you. Reflect at the end of each activity, or after every ten hours for longer-running activities. An activity worth 20 hours would require at least two reflections. Reflections are a huge part of CAS; it is your proof that you have completed your activities.
REPORTING All CAS students will receive progress reports based on their CAS activities. Progress can also be continuously monitored in terms of hours and outcomes by the student and the coordinator through ManageBAC. Messages will be added to ManageBac by the CAS Coordinator to help with progress. DP students are required to meet with the CAS Coordinator at least twice in Grade 11 and at least once in grade 12. For this meeting, students should come prepared to discuss their current progress in CAS as well as future activity plans.
THE CAS PROJECT You should be involved in at least one project involving teamwork that integrates two or more of creativity, action and service, and is of significant duration. Larger scale activities of this sort may provide excellent opportunities for you to engage “with issues of global importance.”
International School Winterthur - Zum Park 5 - 8404 Winterthur - Tel +41 (0)52 269 59 00 - Fax +41 (0)52 269 59 02 Email: administration@iswinterthur.ch - Web: www.iswinterthur.ch
CAS REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY All Diploma level students are expected to adhere to the following ISW CAS requirements:
Participate in one activity that lasts at least ten weeks.
Participate in one activity where you work, for a majority of the day, or for one whole week intensively.
Address every CAS learning outcome at least twice.
Have an equal balance between creativity, action and service activities.
At least one activity that combines two or more of the three strands of CAS.
Participate in at least two collaborative CAS activities where you will work with other students.
Every CAS activity must have an adult supervisor and their contact details must be entered into ManageBac.
All activities must be supported with evidence of achievement of the learning outcomes, through thorough written reflection in ManageBac, as well as relevant links and uploaded documents, pictures, certificates and/ or projects.
All students must complete an Exit Interview in February of their graduating year, where they provide evidence and discuss how they met the eight learning outcomes of the program.
Should you have any question about any of these requirements please see your Advisor, the DP CAS Coordinator or the DP Coordinator.
International School Winterthur - Zum Park 5 - 8404 Winterthur - Tel +41 (0)52 269 59 00 - Fax +41 (0)52 269 59 02 Email: administration@iswinterthur.ch - Web: www.iswinterthur.ch
International School Winterthur - Zum Park 5 - 8404 Winterthur - Tel +41 (0)52 269 59 00 - Fax +41 (0)52 269 59 02 Email: administration@iswinterthur.ch - Web: www.iswinterthur.ch