WHAT IS SERVICE AS ACTION?

Service & Action is an integral part of the MYP and of life at DKIS. At DKIS we are concerned with the holistic development of students. We are not only concerned about academic levels and extracurricular skills but with the development of character and personality. During your time in the MYP, you discover your place and role in communities, from your immediate family and school environment to the world at large. Throughout the MYP, you are encouraged to make connections between the things you learn at school and in your surroundings, as well as thinking about what you can give the community and the benefits the community can bring to you. Having gained awareness about the community, the next step is to take action and to become involved.

MYP 1
Grade level focus:

LONG TERM
service as action

MYP 3
AIMS

Action will be different from student to student and from context to context. It will teach students to:

  • feel empathy towards others
  • make small-scale changes to behaviour
  • undertake larger and more significant projects
  • act on own
  • act collaboratively
  • take physical action
  • suggest modifications to an existing system to the benefit of all involved
  • persuade people in more influential positions to act

Key points about Service as Action (SA) 

  • Long-term commitments are done in groups, however, all students are expected to be equally involved.
  • Short-term commitments can be done individually or as a group.
  • The quality of an activity is more valuable than the hours devoted to it.
  • Students should try to incorporate their interests, skills and talents and their service should be meaningful and have a purpose.
  • Students should research and plan their action before carrying it out. 
  • Teacher mentor must supervise SA activities and projects at all times.
  • SA is only complete when the student also completes a reflection on the learning outcomes. 

What are unacceptable Service as Action activities?

  • A one-off event, which involves no preparation or follow-up
  • Any class activity or project which is already part of the student’s MYP course, Mother Tongue lessons, extra tuition taking place outside of the normal school day
  • If the student gets paid for the activity
  • Fund-raising with no clearly defined end in sight.
  • An activity where there is no leader or responsible adult on site to evaluate and confirm student performance – parents should not be supervisors
  • All forms of normal duty within the family such as dog-sitting, babysitting, dog-walking, car washing, apartment cleaning, which are really part of daily responsibilities
OBJECTIVES

Service as Action Learning Outcomes

EthicsConsider the ethical implications of your actions.

Principles, morals, right and wrong. 
I consider what is right and what is wrong.

Global value – Develop international-mindedness through global engagement, multilingualism and intercultural understanding.

Openness, appreciation of others, respect for diversity and differences. 
I am involved with a world issue respecting and/or experiencing different perspectives and cultures.

Awareness – Become more aware of your own strengths and areas for growth.

Find out what you are good at and what you need to work on. Understanding your surroundings, people, actions.
I am more aware of my own strengths and areas for growth

Initiative – Discuss, evaluate and plan student-initiated activities.

Don’t wait for others to act. Do it yourself. Make a Plan. Self-motivation. 
I discuss, evaluate and plan activities which I have come up with myself. 

PerseverancePersevere in action.

Keep going; don’t give up.
I am able to commit myself for a longer period of time and take responsibility for my own learning.

Challenges & New skills Undertake challenges that develop new skills.

Try something you would not normally choose to do. Stretch out of your comfort zone.
I am not afraid to take on challenges which will help me learn new skills.

CollaborationWork collaboratively with others.

Teamwork, connecting with others outside of your team.
I am aware of my role in a group and work well with different groups of people.