CAS 2014-2015

Creativity, Action, Service

Columbia River High School 

"Heart of the IB Programme"

Aims of CAS:

  • 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 activities involving intellectual, physical, creative and emotional experiences

 

Creativity

This aspect of CAS is interpreted as imaginatively as possible to cover a wide range of arts and other activities outside the normal curriculum, which include creative thinking in the design and carrying out of service projects.  This could involve doing dance, theatre, music, or it could involve taking on a leadership role and designing a service project.  Students should try to be involved in-group activities, and especially in new roles, wherever possible; however, individual commitment to learning an art form IS allowed, where it respects the requirements for all CAS activities:

  • that goals are set, and
  • the student reflects on progress

Action

This aspect of CAS can include participation in expeditions, individual and team sports, and physical activities outside of the normal curriculum; it also includes physical activity involved in carrying out creative and service projects. Action may involve participation in sport or other activities requiring physical exertion – such as expeditions, camping trips, or digging trenches for water, etc.  Again, students are encouraged towards group and team activities, and undertaking new roles, but an individual commitment is acceptable where the general requirements of CAS are met:

  • that goals are set, and
  • student reflects on progress

Service

Service involves interaction, such as the building of links with individuals or groups in the community. The community may be the school, the local district, or it may exist on national and international levels (such as undertaking projects of assistance in a developing country). Service activities should not only involve doing things for others but also doing things with others and developing a real commitment with them. The relationship should therefore show respect for the dignity and self-respect of others.

 

Incorporating the service element can enhance both creativity and action. For example, if you become involved in the arts or physical activities you might consider coaching young children or seniors in residential homes.

  1. any class, activity or project that is already part of the Diploma Programme
  2. an activity for personal reward, financial or benefit-in-kind
  3. simple, tedious and repetitive work
  4. a passive pursuit, e.g. museum, theatre, exhibition, concert visits
  5. part of family or religious duty
  6. work experience that only benefits the student
  7. fundraising with no clearly defined end in sight
  8. an activity where there is no responsible adult on site to evaluate your performance
  9. activities that cause division amongst different groups in the community
  10.  working in a retirement center 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 elderly or children
  • actually do no service for other people 

What is not CAS

Measures of success

  • Students need to meet all 8 leaning outcomes 3 times
  • 18 months of continuous CAS experiences
  • Completed CAS project

Reflections:

  • Students will give oral reflections during Pride Time
  • Advisers will moderate reflections: 5-6 students per adviser
  • Students may still write their reflections. Communication needs to be clear between advisers and students

CAS Project!!!

  • Must be student initiated
  • Must include two of the three CAS strands (Creativity, Action, Service)
  • Must be of significant duration
  • Must include collaboration
  • Ideally, completed towards the end of the junior year.
  • At least 3 reflections: pre, mid point, post

The CAS project is in addition to the typical CAS activities. Ideally, a CAS activity would inspire the CAS project. The main requirements are listed below:

Kick off to cas!

September 19th: 2:45-7ish

Trail building 

Pizza 

Pick Advisers

Learn to Navigate Managebac

Team Building 

*Permission Slips Required

Parent Group CAS Presentation

By shantels

Parent Group CAS Presentation

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