Agenda Team Builder led by Mr. Braman CAS: what is it? TOK Style Discussion: Why CAS? Managebac and how to use it

What is CAS? Experiential learning component of the Diploma Program Creates balance by making sure you are counterbalancing the academic pressures of school with creative, active, and service activities Should be challenging and enjoyable, a personal journey of self-discovery for you

3 Strands of CAS Creativity: arts and other experiences involving creative thinking (robotics, JSA, etc.) Action: physical exertion contributing to a healthy lifestyle (on your own or with a team) Service: Unpaid and voluntary exchange that has a learning benefit for you Some activities will involve more than one strand.

ALL proposed activities must meet these 4 criteria…. Real, purposeful with significant outcomes Personal challenge: should be achievable but extend you Thoughtful consideration: planning, reviewing progress, reporting Reflection on outcomes and personal learning

Duration of CAS Begins now Continues in some form until March of senior year

What do You Need To Do? Document your activities. A minimum of 2 pieces of evidence for each activity. Evidence could be…. Photos Video Flyer Chart Map Document Etc.

What do You Need To Do? Complete half of your CAS requirements by June

By the time you are done, you must provide Evidence of the 8 Learning Outcomes 1. Increased your awareness of your strengths and areas for growth 2. Undertaken new challenges: could be an unfamiliar activity, or an extension to an existing one 3. Planned and initiated activities: this can be in collaboration with others 4. Worked collaboratively with others 5. Shown perseverance and commitment 6. Engaged with issues of global importance (could be an international project, or a local project relation to a global issue such as education, environmental concerns, eldercare, etc.) 7. Considered the ethical implications of your actions: evidence of this can be shown in journal entries or conversations with CAS advisors 8. Developed new skills (can include increased expertise in an established area, or a skill in a new activity)

All 8 must be present in some measure Completion requires only that there is SOME evidence for every outcome…some may be demonstrated many times and some not as often

Hours 150 hours total of CAS over two years is a guideline which comes to an average of ca. 3-4 hours per school week

Role of the CAS Advisor Provide personal advice and support to you… Approve your activities on Managebac or respond and give you feedback about what would be an appropriate activity Meet with you at CAS check-in sessions, twice during junior year and once during senior year

For Each Activity… Step One: Plan: Add your CAS activity on Managebac Number of hours you think you will spend Start and end dates Supervisor (must be an adult.) If activity has no supervisor, list the IB Coordinator or a parent Describe activity thoughtfully and identify your goals (your goals can be related to the 2 or 3 learning outcomes you want to meet). 4-5 sentences minimum. Select your CAS Learning Outcomes (2-3 per activity)

Step Two: Do Participate in the activity and collect evidence (photos, videos, flyers, artifacts, etc.)

Step Three: Reflect. Complete your reflections shortly after you complete the activity For a longer activity or CAS project, complete reflections every 2-3 months or at the end of each semester Your reflections should be tied directly to the learning outcomes you selected

Step Four: Request Supervisor Review Once your supervisor has completed the review, the activity is complete

Ongoing… Communication between you and your CAS Advisor takes place through Managebac (in the Notes section) When your Advisor contacts you, get back to them as soon as possible

The CAS Project At least one of your activities must be a CAS project. involvesteamwork of significant duration integrates 2 things: creativity and action; action and service; service and creativity; creativity and service

Creativity These activities should have a definite goal/outcome. They should extend you and be achievable. So, say you play the viola. What is an activity that would stretch you as a violist? How will you plan it? What steps will you take in the process? Maybe you could learn a very difficult piece, or a different style of playing, in order to perform for an audience.

Action Say you are an athlete. Bringing CAS into your athletics means setting a goal, planning, and reflecting on your achievement. Or maybe you’ll try a new sport or something new within your sport. Action could mean just challenging yourself physically by hiking, or doing something you’ve been afraid to try like rock-climbing or sailing. Or maybe you get involved in an action activity involving service, like Relay for Life.

Service Must have a learning benefit for you. Must be unpaid and voluntary. Good if you are taking on some responsibility.

CAS Handbook Goal Managebac CAS Vocab CAS Protocol: the Steps A summary of responsibilities

Questions?