3 Easy CAS Activities to Get Your Class Started
The CAS (creativity, activity and service) program is one of the core subjects of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. Featuring 7 different learning outcomes, students must show evidence and documentation on exactly what is they have done and what they plan to do. I will be writing a post about the CAS program itself in more detail later on as this post is intended to get you and your class started with CAS as quickly as possible.
An easy way to get students started when they are new to CAS is to organise group activities that can be completed together. In doing this, students can go through the planning process in a controlled environment where they can document ideas and assign each other roles. Furthermore, students will be able to execute these activities over 1 or 2 lessons and then use the time in class to reflect and record their experiences.
1. Shoe Designing - Creativity
The aim of this activity is for students to take a blank shoe and come up with a design that expresses their personality and interests. This activity is great for the start of the year and is a wonderful ice-breaker. Once students have designed their shoe, a gallery walk can be conducted where students introduce themselves and then explain the reasonings behind their chosen design. I have found that this activity is great when you have new students and is a fantastic way of building a strong community amongst students.
This activity is incredibly fun to do and is considerably cheap. All you need are pairs of white canvas shoes and coloured fabric pens. One shoe per student is enough and the shoes make for unique decorations in the classroom after too.
2. Students vs Teachers Sports Match - Activity (Service)
Most students love playing sports and almost all love watching a competitive game against the teachers. A really fun and simple activity to get your CAS students started is for them to organise and take-part in a student vs teacher sports match. Throughout the school year, where I teach, students and teachers often take part in competitive games (where students mostly win).
These games are always popular with both students and teachers and are attended by almost everyone at school. This activity allows students to demonstrate not only their organizational and physical skills but also their communication skills with teachers. Students can add a service element to this activity by raising money for local and national charities. A pay to play donation scheme is an easy way to do this.
3. Kindergarten Teaching - Service
Getting students out of the classroom and into local kindergartens is a real treat for all involved. At my campus, we have a primary school and an early years department, so organising this activity is relatively easy for students to do. In the past, students have taught non-native English speakers English classes or have provided a reading class to struggling readers.
Allowing students to come-up with and plan a class is a great way for students to provide service to students in their own school or to the local community. Not sure what students could teach? Then perhaps they could run an after-school activity that follows one of the CAS students many passions.
I’m always looking for new and creative ways to help students beef-up that CAS portfolio and would love to hear from you all. What are some of your favourite activities that your classes do?
Let me know in the comments or get in touch via social media.