Service as Action
Service as Action
Introduction
Service as Action is a requirement of the IB Middle Years Programme. It is an essential component that allows students to extend their learning beyond the classroom walls and into the community. It gives students the opportunity to connect and contribute to the real world, and empowers them to become global citizens.
Learning Outcomes
Become more aware of your own strengths and areas for growth
Undertake challenges that develop new skills
Discuss, evaluate and plan activities
Persevere in action
Work collaboratively with others
Develop international mindedness through global engagement, multilingualism and intercultural understanding
Consider the ethical implications of your actions
Where and when can students complete their SA?
Students can complete their SA requirements both in school and out of school. If the activities are happening outside of the school, there must be an adult supervisor, who can also be a family member. Students are not allowed to receive any pay or compensation for these actions.
Examples:
Mathematics: Analyzing energy use and sustainability practices, creating math fun fair games, running a math event in the school;
Language Acquisition: tutor English Language in younger grades or the surrounding community;
Language and Literature: writing notes to elderly individuals using grammar rules learned in class, reading books to visually impaired individuals, organise book fair;
Individuals and Societies: Make a plan to reduce food waste in your family and impact your community with this;
Science: Volunteering in a Nature museum, zoo, animal shelter, or another area that could apply the sciences learned in class;
Physical Education: organise a charity run, organise PE after-school activities for other organisations, teachers or peers;
Art: volunteering in art clubs during the After School Activities program, organizing art exhibitions, using photography for a good cause.
After School Activity
Personal Passions
Group Activities
What are the Requirements?
Depending on their grade, students must meet a certain number of targeted outcomes during the year.
Overall, all SA activities for all students need to:
Meet at least one of the seven learning outcomes
Address a need within a community
Have a level of commitment
Involve interaction with people
Connect what they learn in class to the community
Involve reflection on the outcomes and personal learning
Have a responsible supervisor who understands the activity and will review your participation
Requirements according to grade
Year 1 students (grade 6):
One Service as Action experience should be done in a group (class project as part of an MYP unit).
Year 2 students (grade 7):
One Service as Action experience should be done individually, or in a small group of 3-4 students.
One Service as Action experience should be done as a class project (MYP unit that includes service as action).
Year 3 students (grade 8):
One Service as Action experience should be done individually, or in a small group of 3-4 students.
One Service as Action experience should be done as a class project (MYP unit that includes service as action).
Year 4 students (grade 9):
One Service as Action project per semester.
Both projects together need to meet all 7 learning outcomes.
Year 5 students (grade 10):
One Service as Action project per semester.
Both projects together need to meet all 7 learning outcomes.
What is a good service activity?
● Meets a need
● Is something you care about
● Something where you understand the issue or problem or willing to explore it
● Involves other people
● Has a responsible adult supervisor who understands that activity and is able to comment on your participation
● Enables you to meet the learning outcomes
What is not authentic service?
● Rewarded financial or another benefit (unless it is then donated to a good cause)
● Simple, tedious, and repetitive work (stacking book shelves)
● Chores in the family (washing dishes or cleaning)
● Fundraising with no understanding of the cause