palmer high school: creativity, activity service (cas) …€¦ · cas student profile 1. what has...

PALMERHIGHSCHOOL:CREATIVITY,ACTIVITY,

SERVICE(CAS)INTHEIB

“THEFUTUREDEPENDSONWHATYOUDOTODAY.”―MAHATMAGANDHI

2016-2018 1

PalmerHighSchoolCASStudentGuide

TableofContents

FrequentlyAskedQuestions...................................................................................................2-5DescriptionofLearningOutcomes.............................................................................................3DescriptionofStudentResponsibilities.....................................................................................4CASStudentProfile....................................................................................................................6BrainstormingforCreativity.......................................................................................................7BrainstormingforActivity..........................................................................................................8BrainstormingforService...........................................................................................................9InitialCASPlan...................................................................................................................10-11PlanningDocumentation(Matrix).....................................................................................12-14DocumentationofFormalInterviews................................................................................15-17

ImportantDatesfortheclassof2018

OfficialStartDateofCASExperience.....................................................................May29,2016CompletionofInitialPlan.......................................................onorbeforeSeptember25,2016FirstFormalInterviewWithCoordinator/Adviser......................onorbeforeOctober15,2016SecondFormalInterviewWithCoordinator/Adviser.......................onorbeforeApril15,2017OfficialEndDateofCASExperience.........................................................................May1,2018ThirdFormalInterviewWithCoordinator/Adviser.............................onorbeforeMay1,2018

2016-2018 2

Creativity,Activity,Service(CAS)intheIBatPalmerHighSchool“Thefuturedependsonwhatyoudotoday.”―MahatmaGandhiQ:WhydoIhavetodoCAS?

A:Youdon’thaveto–yougetto!Howoftenhaveyouthoughtaboutyoureducation,“WhenamIgonnausethisintherealworld?”TheCASexperienceisallaboutbridgingtheoftenwidegapbetweenformalschoolingandtheworldoutside of school. With its holistic approach, CAS is designed to strengthen and extend students’ personal andinterpersonallearning.Q:Whatdoes“CAS”mean?

A:CASisorganizedaroundthethreestrandsofcreativity,activityandservicedefinedasfollows:

• Creativity:exploringandextendingideasleadingtoanoriginalorinterpretiveproductorperformance• Activity:physicalexertioncontributingtoahealthylifestyle• Service:collaborativeandreciprocalengagementwiththecommunityinresponsetoanauthenticneed

Q:WhatdoIgetoutofCAS?

A: CASenables students todemonstrate attributesof the IB learnerprofile in real andpracticalways, to growasunique individuals and to recognize your role in relation toothers. Studentsdevelop skills, attitudesandoutlooksthrough a variety of individual and group experiences. CAS experiences provide students with opportunities toexplore your interests and express your diverse passions, personalities and perspectives. CAS complements thechallenging academic programme in a holistic way, providing opportunities for self-determination, collaboration,accomplishment and enjoyment. A meaningful CAS programme is a journey of discovery of self and others. Inaddition, yourCASportfolio canbe auseful tool for the college admissionprocess, college interviews, and/or jobinterviewsandinternshipopportunities.

Q:Butreally.DoIhavetodoCAS?

A:SuccessfulcompletionofCASisarequirementforachievementoftheIBDiploma.

Q:Ok,sohowmanyhoursdoIneedforCAS?

A:Thereisnohardandfirmrequirementforhours.TheCASprogrammeformallybeginsatthestartoftheDiplomaProgrammeandcontinuesregularly, ideallyonaweeklybasis, forat least18months.Thismeansthatyoucannotfinish CAS “early,” nor can you “wait until the lastminute” to do CAS. Theremust also be a reasonable balancebetween creativity, activity, and service. In addition, students undertake at least oneCAS project of at least onemonth’s duration that challenges you to show initiative, demonstrate perseverance, and develop skills such ascollaboration,problem-solving,anddecision-making.TheCASprojectmighttakeplaceinsideaclassroomexperienceorasastudent-initiatedprojectoutsideofschool.

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Q:HowdoIprovetoyouthatI’veexperiencedCAStothebestofmyability?

A:AllCAS studentsareexpected tomaintainandcompleteaCASportfolioasevidenceof theirengagementwithCAS.TheCASportfolioisacollectionofevidence(ascrapbook,videolog,blog,files,infographics,website,etc.–orcombination thereof) that showcases your CAS experiences and reflections. Completion of CAS is based on yourachievement of the seven CAS learning outcomes (NOT on the number of CAS experiences and/or hours ofcompletion). Through your CAS portfolio, you will need to provide the school with evidence demonstratingachievementofeachlearningoutcome.

Q:WhatarethesevenCASlearningoutcomes?

A:StudentcompletionofCASisbasedontheachievementofthesevenCASlearningoutcomes(LO)realizedthroughthe student’s commitment to his or her CAS programme over a period of 18 months. Through meaningful andpurposefulCASexperiences,youneedtodevelopthenecessaryskills,attributesandunderstandingstoachievethesevenCASlearningoutcomes.Somelearningoutcomesmaybeachievedmanytimes,whileothersmaybeachievedless frequently. Students provide the schoolwith evidence in yourCASportfolioof having achievedeach learningoutcomeatleastoncethroughyourCASexperience.

LO1:Identifyownstrengthsanddevelopareasforgrowth.Studentsareabletoseethemselvesas individualswithvariousabilitiesandskills,ofwhichsomearemoredevelopedthanothers.

LO2:Demonstratethatchallengeshavebeenundertaken,developingnewskillsintheprocess.A new challenge may be an unfamiliar experience or an extension of an existing one. The newlyacquiredordeveloped skillsmaybe shown throughexperiences that the studenthasnotpreviouslyundertakenorthroughincreasedexpertiseinanestablishedarea.

LO3:DemonstratehowtoinitiateandplanaCASexperience.StudentscanarticulatethestagesfromconceivinganideatoexecutingaplanforaCASexperienceorseriesofCASexperiences.Thismaybeaccomplishedincollaborationwithotherparticipants.Studentsmayshowtheirknowledgeandawarenessbybuildingonapreviousexperience,orbylaunchinganewideaorprocess.

LO4:ShowcommitmenttoandperseveranceinCASexperiences.StudentsdemonstrateregularinvolvementandactiveengagementinCAS.

LO5:Demonstratetheskillsandrecognizethebenefitsofworkingcollaboratively.Students are able to identify, demonstrate and critically discuss the benefits and challenges ofcollaborationgainedthroughCASexperiences.

LO6:Demonstrateengagementwithissuesofglobalsignificance.Studentsareableto identifyanddemonstratetheirunderstandingofglobal issues,makeresponsibledecisions, and take appropriate action in response to the issue, either locally, nationally orinternationally.

LO7:Recognizeandconsidertheethicsofchoicesandactions.StudentsshowawarenessoftheconsequencesofchoicesandactionsinplanningandcarryingoutCASexperiences.

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Q:IsthereaspecificframeworkthatIhavetouse?

A: Students should use the CAS stages (investigation, preparation, action,reflectionanddemonstration)asa framework for theCASprojectandsome(butnotall)CASexperiences.CASemphasizes reflection,which is central tobuilding a deep and rich experience in CAS. Reflection informs students’learning and growth by allowing you to explore ideas, skills, strengths,limitationsandareasforfurtherdevelopmentandconsiderhowyoumayusepriorlearninginnewcontexts.

Q:Whatkindofadultsupervision/helpamIgoingtoget?

A:TherearethreeformaldocumentedinterviewsstudentsmusthavewithyourCAScoordinator/adviser.Youmaychoose to have a CAS adviser other thanMs. Rewey, based on your interests, strengths, weaknesses, goals, andrelationshipswithotheradultsinthebuilding.Thefirst interviewwillbeatthebeginningoftheCASprogrammeinthejunioryear,thesecondwillbeinthespringofthejunioryear,andthethirdinterviewwillbeattheendoftheCASprogrammeinthespringofyoursenioryear.Studentsandcoordinator/advisersshouldmaintainongoingformsofcommunicationthroughemail,socialmedia,face-to-facemeetings,etc.Inaddition,Ms.Reweywillmaintainherteacherwebsite(https://reweyib.wordpress.com/)toincludeupdatesonCASopportunities,news,deadlines,etc.

Q:WhatamIresponsiblefordoingtocompletemyCASexperience?

A: Key to a student’s CAS programme is personal engagement, choice and enjoyment of CAS experiences.Throughout the Diploma Programme students undertake a variety of CAS experiences on a weekly basis for aminimumof18months.YoumustalsoundertakeatleastoneCASprojectwithaminimumdurationofonemonth.Students reflect on CAS experiences at significantmoments throughout CAS andmaintain a CAS portfolio. UsingevidencefromyourCASportfolio,studentswilldemonstrateachievementofthesevenCASlearningoutcomestotheCAScoordinator’ssatisfaction.CASstudentsareexpectedto:

• approachCASwithapositiveandproactiveattitude• developaclearunderstandingofCASexpectationsandthepurposeofCAS• explorepersonalvaluesandattitudeswithreferencetotheIBlearnerprofileandtheIBmissionstatement• determinepersonalgoals• discussplansforCASexperienceswiththeCAScoordinatorand/orCASadviser• understandandapplytheCASstageswhereappropriate• takepartinavarietyofexperiences,someofwhichareself-initiated,andatleastoneCASproject• becomemoreawareofpersonalinterests,skillsandtalentsandobservehowtheseevolvethroughoutCAS• maintain a CAS portfolio and keep records of CAS experiences including evidence of achievement of the

sevenCASlearningoutcomes• understandthereflectionprocessandidentifysuitableopportunitiestoreflectonCASexperiences• demonstrateaccomplishmentswithintheirCASexperiences• communicatewiththeCAScoordinator/adviserand/orCASsupervisorinformalandinformalmeetings• ensureasuitablebalancebetweencreativity,activityandserviceintheirCASexperiences• behaveappropriatelyandethicallyintheirchoicesandbehaviors.

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Q:CanclassesItakeforcreditcontributetomyCASexperience?

A: If theclass isNOTan IBclass, itmaycontribute toyourCASexperience.Theseclasses includesummerPE,TheLever/Journalism,TerrorTV,band,orchestra,choir,studentcouncil,etc.

Q:Does countforCAS?

A:YouwillnodoubthavenumerousquestionsaboutwhatkindsofactivitiesandexperiencescancountforCAS.Therulesofthumbareasfollows:

• theexperienceshouldbeeasilycategorizedas“creativity,”“activity,”and/or“service”• inaddition,theexperienceshouldleadtotheaccomplishmentofatleastoneofthesevenlearningoutcomes• theexperiencecannotincludeproselytizing(encouragingotherstobelievein/subscribetoacertainreligion)• theexperiencecannotbeoneforwhichyouarepaid• theexperiencecannotbepartoftheformalIBcurriculum/requirements

Ifyouhaveapotentialexperiencethatyou’reunsureaboutaftergoingthroughtheabovecriteria,pleaseseeyourCAScoordinatororadviserforclarification.

Q:Canyougivemesomeideastohelpmegetstarted?

A:Surething!HerearesomepopularCASexperiences:

Creativity:Doingart,music,theatre,dance;solvingproblems,developingnewenterprises,constructingthingsthatdidn’tpreviouslyexist;problem-solving;learningandapplyingnewskills;experiencesthatinvolvecreativethinking. C

Activity:Participatinginindividualandteamsports,physicalactivities,expeditions;physicalexertioncontributingtoahealthylifestyle,complimentingacademicwork. A

Service:Doingthingsforandwithothersfortheirbenefit,developingrespectforothers,buildinglinkstothecommunity,fosteringcommitmentandresponsibility;anunpaidandvoluntaryexchangethathasalearningbenefitforthestudent.Therights,dignityandautonomyofallthoseinvolvedarerespected. S

• Techcrewfortheatre

• Acting/singinginaplay

• Learningtoplayanewinstrument

• Writing/photographyforTheLever/yearbook

• Writingyourownmusic,poetry,shortstories

• Decoratingfordances(StuCo)

• MockTrial

• HistoryDay

• Sports(schooland/orclub)

• Workingout(includingsummerPE)

• Hiking,running,biking,swimming,etc.

• Marchingband

• Rockclimbing

• Wintersports

• DotheIncline

•

•

• TeenCourt

• RestorativeJustice

• VolunteeringatTheMarianHouseSoupKitchen

• VolunteeringatCare&Share

• PHSTutoringCenter

• TeamManager

• NHS/KeyClubprojects

• Servicelearningproject

•

•

2016-2018 6

CASStudentProfile

1. Whathasbeenoneofyourgreatestaccomplishments(orworstfailures)sofar?Howdidthisexperiencechange/impactyourlife?Whatdidyoulearnfromit?

2. Whatareyoureallygoodat?

3. What’saskillthatyou’vealwayswantedtodevelopinyourlifebuthaven’tyet?What’sbeenstandinginyourway?

4. What’sanactivitythatyou’vealwayswantedtotrybuthaven’tyet?Whatdrawsyoutothatactivity?What’sbeenstandinginyourway?

5. Nameapersonthatyouadmire.Whatqualitiesdoesthispersonhavethatyoudon’t?

6. What’sdifferentaboutyounowcomparedtowhatyouwerelike5yearsago?

7. Inwhatwayswouldyouliketobedifferentin5years?10years?

2016-2018 7

Creativity:ExploringandextendingideasleadingtoanoriginalorinterpretiveproductorperformanceCreativityinCASprovidesstudentswiththeopportunitytoexploretheirownsenseoforiginal thinking and expression. Creativity will come from the student’s talents,interests, passions, emotional responses, and imagination; the formof expression islimitless. This may include visual and performing arts, digital design, writing, film,culinaryarts, craftsandcomposition.Studentsareencouraged toengage increativeendeavors that move them beyond the familiar, broadening their scope fromconventionaltounconventionalthinking.(CASGuide,18)

Ongoingcreativity:Whatareyoualreadydoingthatcouldbedeemed“creativity”usingtheabovedefinition?

School-basedcreativity:Whatcanyoudoatschool(outsideoftheIBcurriculum)and/orwithothers?ThinkabouttheCASProjectrequirement.

Community-basedcreativity:Whatcreativeoutlets/organizationscanyougetinvolvedwithinyourlocalcommunity?

Individualcreativity:Whatnewcreativepursuitswouldyouliketoundertakeonyourown?

2016-2018 8

Activity:PhysicalexertioncontributingtoahealthylifestyleTheaimofthe“Activity”strandistopromotelifelonghealthyhabitsrelatedtophysicalwell-being.Pursuitsmay include individualand teamsports,aerobicexercise, dance, outdoor recreation, fitness training, and any other form ofphysicalexertionthatpurposefullycontributestoahealthylifestyle.Studentsareencouragedtoparticipateatanappropriatelevelandonaregularbasistoprovideagenuinechallengeandbenefit.(CASGuide,19)

Ongoingactivity:Whatareyoualreadydoingthatcouldbedeemed“activity”usingtheabovedefinition?

School-basedactivity:Whatcanyoudoatschool(outsideoftheIBcurriculum)and/orwithothers?ThinkabouttheCASProjectrequirement.

Community-basedactivity:Whatopportunitiesforactivityexistinthelocalcommunity?

Individualactivity:Whatnewactivitieswouldyouliketoundertakeonyourown?

2016-2018 9

Service:CollaborativeandreciprocalengagementwiththecommunityinresponsetoanauthenticneedThe aim of the “Service” strand is for students to understand their capacity to make ameaningfulcontributiontotheircommunityandsociety.Throughservice,studentsdevelopandapplypersonalandsocialskillsinreal-lifesituationsinvolvingdecision-making,problem-solving,initiative,responsibility,andaccountabilityfortheiractions.Serviceisoftenseenasone of the most transforming elements of CAS by promoting students’ self-awareness,offering diverse occasions for interactions and experiences and opportunities forinternational-mindedness. Use of the CAS stages in developing a service experience isrecommendedforbestpractice.(CASGuide,20)

Ongoingservice:Whatareyoualreadydoingthatcouldbedeemed“service”usingtheabovedefinition?

School-basedservice:Whatcanyoudoatschool(outsideoftheIBcurriculum)and/orwithothers?ThinkabouttheCASProjectrequirement.

Community-basedservice:Howcanyougetinvolvedinservingyourlocalcommunity?

Individualservice:Whatnewserviceprojectswouldyouliketoundertakeonyourown?

2016-2018 10

InitialCASPlanThisplan represents yourbestbrainstorming concerning theactivities youwish toaccomplishduring thenext twoyears. As your CAS experienceswill likelymorph and grow as you continue through the programme, you are notrequiredtosticktothisexactplan;rather,it’sanexerciseinplanning.TheinformationrecordedherewillallowyourCASCoordinatorand/oradvisertoreviewyourideasandadministerneededguidanceifthetotalityoftheplanshowsamisunderstandingoftheprogramrequirements.ThisplanmustbecompletedbythelastschooldayinSeptemberofyourjunioryear.KeepinmindthisisacoreCASrequirementandafoundationalaspectofyourCASportfolio;treatitandcompleteitprofessionally!Offerabriefdescriptionofactivitiesand/orprojectsyouexpecttoengageinforCASoverthenexttwoyears.Totheright, identifywhichareas– creativity (C), action (A), or service (S) theactivitywill address,whether theactivity isindividual(I),orcollaborative(C),andwhichLearningOutcomes(LO)eachwilllikelyaddress.ActivitiesyouwilllikelyengageinforCAS:

Descriptionofexperience/projectandprojectedtimeline Planfordocumentation IorC C,A,S LO(s)

Example:IplanonhikingtheInclineatleastonceaweek(iftheweatherisgoodandit’snottoosnowy/rainy)inordertoimprovemyhikingtime(andoverallhealth).

IwillrecordmystartandendtimesinatablesothatIcanseetheimprovementsImake.

I A 1,2,4

Identifypotential obstacles youmight encounterwith your plan. How can you anticipate, plan for, and overcomethesepotentialobstacles?

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ActivitiesyoumightengageinforCASifyouhadmoreinformation/resources:

Descriptionofexperience/project Obstacles/needstobeaddressedbeforeengagingintheexperience

IorC C,A,S LO(s)

ReviewtheaboveplanandconsiderthefollowingcomprehensivequestionsaboutyourCASexperience:1. Doesyourplanaddresseachofthethreemainareas(C,A,and/orS)withappropriatebalancebetweenthem?If

yes,brieflyexplainhowyouseethembeingappropriatelyinbalance.Ifnot,whichis/areweaker,andwhatideasdoyouhaveforaddressingtheimbalance?

2. Whichofthelearningoutcome(s)appear(s)tobemostthoroughlyrepresentedinyourplannedactivities?3. Whichlearningoutcome(s)willyouneedtomorecloselytargetandkeepinmind?Whatplansdoyouhavefor

addressingtheweakeroutcome(s),and/orwhatmightyouneedintermsofguidance?

2016-2018 12

PlanningDocumentation:CASExperiencesandLearningOutcomesMatrix

LearningOutcome

ExampleExperience:HikingtheIncline

Experience: Experience:

CreativityActivityService CreativityActivityService CreativityActivityService

Identifyownstrengthsanddevelopareas

forgrowth

Ididtheinclineonceafewyearsagoandhatedit.Butmyfriendsreallylikedoingit,andIhearthey’verenovatedit,soI’mreadytotryitagain.IknowthatIwillneedtogainstrengthinmylegs,andI’llprobablyneedtodosomeweightliftingtoo.

Demonstratethatchallengeshavebeenundertaken,developingnewskillsintheprocess

I’dliketobeabletokeepupwithmyfriends,whichIknowwillbehardatthebeginning.Ultimately,I’dliketobeabletofinishtheinclineinlessthan35minutes.I’malsointerestedinseeinghowtheinclinecontributestomyoverallstrengthandhealth.

Demonstratehowto

initiateandplanaCASexperience

ShowcommitmenttoandperseveranceinCASexperiences

Iplanondoingtheinclineatleastonceaweekwhentheweatherisgood.Ithinkitwouldbeamajoraccomplishmenttodotheinclineatleast50timesbetweennowandtheendofsenioryear.

Demonstratetheskillsandrecognizethebenefitsofworkingcollaboratively

Demonstrateengagementwithissuesofglobalsignificance

Recognizeandconsidertheethicsofchoicesandactions

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LearningOutcome

Experience:




forgrowth


Demonstratehowto






2016-2018 14


LearningOutcome

Experience:




forgrowth


Demonstratehowto






2016-2018 15

DocumentationofThreeFormalInterviewsIBrequiresthreeformalinterviewsthroughouttheCASexperience.Youmay,ofcourse,meetmoreoftenwithyourcoordinator/adviser;keepnotesofthosemeetings.Thespacebelowisforthethreeformalinterviewsonly.Useadditionalpaperasneeded.Interview1:BeginningofJuniorYear(byOctober15,2016) Discussinitialplan,potentialresources,potentialobstacles,andtimelinesforexperiences.(Takenotes.)

Nextsteps:StudentInitials: TeacherSignature: Date:

2016-2018 16

DocumentationofThreeFormalInterviewsInterview2:SpringofJuniorYear(byApril15,2017)DiscussprogressofCASexperience.What’sgoingwell?Whatobstaclesneedtobeaddressed?(Takenotes.)Nextsteps:StudentInitials: TeacherSignature: Date:

2016-2018 17

DocumentationofThreeFormalInterviewsInterview3:EndofSeniorYear(byMay1,2018)DiscussCASexperience.Whatwentwell?Whatdidn’t?Whatwouldyouchange,ifanything?(Takenotes.)

StudentInitials: TeacherSignature: Date:

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