Action in the MYP
- Aims to help students develop their personal understanding, their emerging sense of self and their developmentally appropriate responsibility in their community.
- As students become more aware and acquire a better understanding of the context, and of their responsibilities, they become empowered to make choices about how to take thoughtful and positive action. The action may involve students in:
o Feeling empathy toward others
o Making small-scale changes to their behavior
o Undertaking larger and more significant projects
o Acting on their own
o Acting collaboratively
o Taking physical action
o Suggesting modifications to an existing system to the benefit of all involved
o Lobbying people in more influential positions to act
Service linked to Classroom Learning
- Service requires that students are able to build authentic connections between what they learn in the classroom and what they encounter in the community. When connected to learning, the experience of service offers opportunities to apply concepts, skills and knowledge.
- Teachers can engage students in applying subject matter to developing plans and partnerships to meet real identified needs.
- Guided or classroom learning that leads to action addressing an authentic community need is most meaningful when allowing for student initiative that incorporates their interests, skills and talents.
Service for and with Others
- Service activities need to begin to evolve beyond doing for others to engaging with others in a shared commitment toward the common good. Meaningful service requires understanding of an underlying issue such as poverty, literacy, or pollution and authenticating a need for this service.
MYP Learning Outcomes for Service
- With guidance and support, MYP students should, through their engagement with service as action:
o Become more aware of their own strengths and areas for growth
o Undertake challenges that develop new skills
o Discuss, evaluate and plan student-initiated activities
o Preserver in action
o Work collaboratively with others
o Develop international-mindedness through global engagement and intercultural understanding
o Consider the ethical implications of their actions
Planning for Service as Action
- MYP schools are responsible for planning opportunities for students’ involvement in service with the community. Opportunities should take into account students’ development, aptitudes and preference.
LVA and Service and Action
- MYP based hours will be initiated in the classrooms and will be logged through reflections after students have participated in units that incorporate service and action.
- Teachers are developing units throughout the school year to incorporate more service and action into classroom learning.
- LVA expects a progression of service and action to occur between grades 7-10 to develop skills to prepare students for the Diploma Programme’s Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) requirements
- LVA will expect students in grades 9 and 10 to earn 20 hours each year of community service on their own for a total of 40 hours beyond classroom related service and action projects to meet PA state standards. These hours can be earned through opportunities at LVA and in the community through volunteering in sports programs, hospitals, and community centers in your neighborhoods.
- Grade 9 & 10 service and action paperwork will be available in the guidance office and should be submitted to Mrs. Rodriguez to log their hours for transcript purposes.