Service and Action is a structured learning experience that combines community service with explicit learning objectives of investigating, planning, taking action, reflecting and demonstrating. It is uniquely aligned with our vision, mission and core values, along with curriculum being taught in the classroom.
As part of the IB requirement, all students in the MYP are expected to be actively involved in Service and Action
The ‘Service’ program at MIS aims to foster, develop and motivate the students to become aware of the needs of the local, and global community. Giving students the opportunity to take what they are learning in the classroom and put it into action through a commitment: making a positive difference to the lives of others and the environment. Students are encouraged to engage in authentic activities that create a lasting impact on a community.
MIS Service-learning goals:
- To involve everyone in service learning
- To bring about authentic social change through community collaboration and development
- To enhance and improve the lives of others and through this discover more about oneself
- To develop sustainable collaborative/partnerships with the local community
- To provide authentic leadership opportunities
- To integrate Service- learning into the curriculum through the units taught in the different subjects
- To develop resources and support systems to enable effective, sustainable, and meaningful service learning
Service and Action Learning Outcomes:
There are seven outcomes prescribed by the IB.
Students keep in mind that they will need to choose one or more of the following outcomes, think about them while working on the activity. Next, they are required to reflect on them. These reflections are added by every student on ManageBac and monitored by the service coordinator. During their time in the MYP students must meet and grow through all of these all seven learning outcomes.
1. Awareness: Become more aware of your strengths and areas for growth
2. New skills: Undertake challenges that develop new skills
3. Initiative: Discuss, plan and evaluate student-initiated activities
4. Commitment: Persevere in action
5. Collaboration: Work collaboratively with others
6. Global value: Develop international mindedness through global engagement, multilingualism, and intercultural understanding
7. Ethics: Consider the ethical implications of your actions.
The following examples outline some of the opportunities for participating in the Service- learning Program:
- Students from MYP 1,2 & 3 visit and interact with the Early Years’ and Primary students. They are part of the buddy reading, Literature circle and other such activities once every three weeks
- Every Tuesday after school the MYP 4, 5 & DP students have an opportunity to be part of a diverse range of activities to suit students’ interests, skills and talents either after school and or at weekends. We have students from local schools using the MIS facilities
- A range of opportunities to learn from are offered to these students. MIS students teach English, Math, Science, Art, Music, Design and Sports.
- Classroom opportunities – there are many opportunities through integrated units through specific courses.
- The Model United Nations (MUN)
- Some of the personal projects are linked to Service and Action.
- The annual field trips are planned with a Service component for every year group to participate in.
- Many of the students also work with outside non-government organisations like ResQ, the requirement is for them to have an adult supervisor and get the activity approved by the Service Coordinator. At the end of the semester the adult supervisor needs to write a review on the student’s commitment and attitude towards the activity.
- At MIS we encourage students to take responsibility for their learning and we are happy for them to take on new initiatives as long as it is within the framework of the Service programme. It is heartening to see that a few parents that volunteer at different local organisations encourage their children to get involved in being part of the activity. I wish to extend my gratitude to these parents. We look forward to your continued support in this area.
Fulfillment of the school’s expectations for participation in service is a requirement for the IB MYP Certificate.
Maria Mistry – Service and Action Coordinator