Introduction to CAS
Introduction to CAS Kelly Kretschmar CAS Coordinator
• What is CAS?
What is CAS?
• Creativity + Activity + Service • Must show a balance among all three areas
• Why is CAS important?
• CAS is about developing yourself outside of academics and sharing yourself with others. • For you to develop as a well-rounded person, you must broaden your world view, serve others, tap into your own creativity, and maintain a healthy, fit body.
When does CAS start?
• Day one of junior year • Nothing from 9th or 10th grade can count
– Except for activities that are “continuing” and “extensions” of previous activities (i.e. you have been dancing since age 10, and will continue to do so throughout high school)
• These are IB’s rules, and we must follow them!
What are the learning outcomes?
• Think of CAS as a class you create for yourself. • CAS is all about learning through experience. IB has identified 7 learning outcomes each student should meet at least once by the end of their CAS program. • In order for an experience to be “CASworthy”, it must help you meet at least one of the following learning outcomes:
2.
1.
Develop new skills and undertake new challenges. Take on an unfamiliar activity, or an extension to an existing one (i.e. you have been dancing for 10 years, but want to try a new style or create your own choreography)
Increased awareness of your own areas for growth. See yourself as an individual with skills and abilities, some more developed than others. Understand you can make choices about how you wish to move forward and grow as a person.
What are the learning outcomes?
3.
Plan and initiate activities. These can be part of a larger community-based activity, or a small student-led activity on campus.
6.
5.
4.
Engage with issues of global importance. International projects are great, but remember you can think GLOBALLY and act LOCALLY.
Show persistence and commitment in your activities. Attend regularly and accept a share of the responsibility for dealing with problems that may arise during the course of the activities.
Work collaboratively with others.
What are the learning outcomes?
7.
Consider the ethical implications of your actions. Every person involved in the activity must be left with a feeling of dignity, value, and self-reliance. Make a plan for ending your activity that does not abandon the other party.
What is ManageBac?
• ManageBac is a website where you will enter all of your CAS activities and reflections • Check ManageBac at least once a week • ManageBac makes your life (and CAS!) much easier to manage
Where do I begin?
• Take 3 minutes to brainstorm what you are doing NOW that could translate into CAS next year
– What do you do when you are NOT in class or studying? – How do you spend your free time? – Write down everything you can think of…even the stuff that might seem “silly”
Where do I begin?
• Now discuss in groups. What activities do you have written down that could fall into: – Creativity
• The arts, yes, but also anything that involves planning, critical thinking, problem solving, etc.
– Action • Doesn’t just have to be team sports!
– Service
• How can you turn it into “service with responsibility”? (i.e. more than just “showing up to help”)
• What is CAS?
What is CAS?
• Creativity + Activity + Service • Must show a balance among all three areas
• Why is CAS important?
• CAS is about developing yourself outside of academics and sharing yourself with others. • For you to develop as a well-rounded person, you must broaden your world view, serve others, tap into your own creativity, and maintain a healthy, fit body.
When does CAS start?
• Day one of junior year • Nothing from 9th or 10th grade can count
– Except for activities that are “continuing” and “extensions” of previous activities (i.e. you have been dancing since age 10, and will continue to do so throughout high school)
• These are IB’s rules, and we must follow them!
What are the learning outcomes?
• Think of CAS as a class you create for yourself. • CAS is all about learning through experience. IB has identified 7 learning outcomes each student should meet at least once by the end of their CAS program. • In order for an experience to be “CASworthy”, it must help you meet at least one of the following learning outcomes:
2.
1.
Develop new skills and undertake new challenges. Take on an unfamiliar activity, or an extension to an existing one (i.e. you have been dancing for 10 years, but want to try a new style or create your own choreography)
Increased awareness of your own areas for growth. See yourself as an individual with skills and abilities, some more developed than others. Understand you can make choices about how you wish to move forward and grow as a person.
What are the learning outcomes?
3.
Plan and initiate activities. These can be part of a larger community-based activity, or a small student-led activity on campus.
6.
5.
4.
Engage with issues of global importance. International projects are great, but remember you can think GLOBALLY and act LOCALLY.
Show persistence and commitment in your activities. Attend regularly and accept a share of the responsibility for dealing with problems that may arise during the course of the activities.
Work collaboratively with others.
What are the learning outcomes?
7.
Consider the ethical implications of your actions. Every person involved in the activity must be left with a feeling of dignity, value, and self-reliance. Make a plan for ending your activity that does not abandon the other party.
What is ManageBac?
• ManageBac is a website where you will enter all of your CAS activities and reflections • Check ManageBac at least once a week • ManageBac makes your life (and CAS!) much easier to manage
Where do I begin?
• Take 3 minutes to brainstorm what you are doing NOW that could translate into CAS next year
– What do you do when you are NOT in class or studying? – How do you spend your free time? – Write down everything you can think of…even the stuff that might seem “silly”
Where do I begin?
• Now discuss in groups. What activities do you have written down that could fall into: – Creativity
• The arts, yes, but also anything that involves planning, critical thinking, problem solving, etc.
– Action • Doesn’t just have to be team sports!
– Service
• How can you turn it into “service with responsibility”? (i.e. more than just “showing up to help”)
