What you need to know to succeed!

Agenda CAS: what is it?

Managebac and how to use it

What is CAS supposed to be? 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/Parts of CAS Creativity: arts and other experiences involving

creative thinking (robotics, TSA, 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.

You must have at least one reflection per strand, and 7 reflections total!

ALL proposed activities must meet these 4 guidelines…. The experience must be real, purposeful with

significant outcomes

Be a personal challenge: should be achievable but extend you, not something you easily do already!

Thoughtful consideration of your experiences: Meaning you have planned, reviewed progress, and reported the experience

Reflection MUST tie to a learning outcome!

Duration of CAS Starts fall of your Junior year

Continues in some form until March of senior year

What do You Need To Do? Document your activities, with evidence uploaded to

Managbac A minimum of 2 pieces of evidence for each activity. 1st

Piece of Evidence must be: Photos of you there OR

Video of you there

Second evidence can be any of the following

Flyer of the event

Chart showing your results

Map showing your hikes etc..

Document

Etc.

By the time you are done, you must provide Evidence of the 7 Learning Outcomes via reflections:

1. Identify own strengths and identify areas for growth: Students are able to see themselves as individuals with various abilities and skills, of which some are more developed than others.

2. Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process: A new challenge may be an unfamiliar experience or an extension of an existing one. The newly acquired or developed skills may be shown through experiences that the student has not previously undertaken or through increased expertise in an established area.

By the time you are done, you must provide Evidence of the Learning Outcomes via reflections:

3. Demonstrate how to plan and initiate a CAS experience: Students can articulate the stages from conceiving an idea to executing a plan for a CAS experience or series of CAS experiences. This may be accomplished in collaboration with other participants. Students may show their knowledge and awareness by building on a previous experience, or by launching a new idea or process.

4. Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively: Students are able to identify, demonstrate and critically discuss the benefits and challenges of collaboration gained through CAS experiences.

By the time you are done, you must provide Evidence of the Learning Outcomes via reflections:

5. Show perseverance and commitment in CAS experiences: Students demonstrate regular involvement and active engagement in CAS.

6. Demonstrate engagement with issues of global significance: Students are able to identify and demonstrate their understanding of global issues, make responsible decisions, and take appropriate action in response to the issue either locally, nationally or internationally.

7. Recognize and consider the ethics of choices and actions: Students show awareness of the consequences of choices and actions in planning and carrying out CAS experiences.

All 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

You must have at least one Reflection from a Learning Outcome per each area of CAS (Creativity; Activity or Service)

The remaining 4 reflections can be divided up among the three strands.

Hours 150 hours total of CAS over two years is a guideline

which comes to an average of 3-4 hours per school week.

CAS no longer “counts” hours

You can keep track of your hours to show long term projects

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

Who are they? Mr. Ruff and Mr. Lloyd!

The Steps of CAS Experience Planning Plan

Do

Reflect

Review

For Each Activity… Step One: Plan: Add your CAS activity on Managebac

Number of hours you think you will spend

Start and end dates

Describe activity thoughtfully and identify your goals). 4-5 sentences minimum.

Select your CAS Learning Outcomes

Step Two: Do

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

Upload evidence to Managebac!

Step Three: Reflect.

Complete your reflections shortly after you complete the activity

For a longer activity or CAS project, complete reflections every 2-3 weeks or at the end of each month

Your reflections should be tied directly to the learning outcomes

You must have a reflection that is related to each of the 7 Learning Outcomes

Step Four: Request Supervisor Review

Once your supervisor has completed the review, the activity is complete

You do this on Managbac

Or stop by Mr. Ruff ’s office or see Mr. Lloyd during 3rd

period in the KnowCo!

Ongoing… Communication between you and your CAS Advisors

takes place through Managebac (in the Notes section)

When an 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.

involves teamwork (3 or more)

Lasts at least one month

Can integrate multiple strands and Learning Outcomes

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.

Open Mic night, the Talent Show, or a formal recital

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 Cam-a-thon.

Service Must have a learning benefit for you.

Must be unpaid and voluntary.

Questions? Mr. Lloyd is available every day during 3rd period or

contact us via email or Managbac!

Check your progress using the checklist! Available online