Service and Action
The goal for students' participation in Service and Action is for students to extend their learning beyond the classroom by taking purposeful action to affect the world around them. In engaging in purposeful action, students progress through the following three stages:
Awareness and Understanding: understanding the needs of the community and the student's own role in the community
Action: active involvement in service activities within the community
Reflection: reflecting on the quality of the experience and areas of personal weakness and strength that have been revealed as a result of the experience
Teachers should provide opportunities for students to complete service and action in the classroom by connecting service and action to the real-world and curriculum.
Service and Action Learning Outcomes
With appropriate guidance support, students should:
Become more aware of their own strengths and areas for growth
Undertake challenges that develop new skills
Discuss, evaluate and plan student-initiated activities
Persevere in action
Work collaboratively with others
Develop international-mindedness through global engagement, multilingualism and intercultural understanding
Consider the ethical implications of their actions.
Through service and action, student self-reflect on these learning outcomes, including their development of the IB learner profile and ATL skills. Service and Action does not require a specific number of hours of service; instead, students should complete quality activities that meet the learning objectives.
Student Guidelines for Service and Action
Students should:
Select activities that interest them and serve a need in a community (local, state, national, global).
Complete reflections thoroughly.
Not receive a financial reward (payment), grade, or other material benefit for service. All family duties (mowing lawns, babysitting, chores, etc) do not count for service.
Complete all activities at an appropriate place like a school, religious organization, or other community location.
Student Reflection and Log
Students should record the hours of service that they complete and have an adult signature.
Students should reflect on their learning from their service and action activities. This can be done in any format of the student's choice (Prezi, blog, written answer, etc.). Sample questions and reflection sheets can be found in the Service and Action guide (see link below).