Service Program
As a school we opted for the Be the Change programme as it delivers an important service curriculum which greatly benefits our students. When students leave our school, we want them to be active global citizens and this programme empowers them to be this as they embark on their life beyond the school classroom.
Gemma Relph, Head of Sixth Form, GEMS Wellington School Qatar
Active Citizenship in Schools
Are any of these questions arising at your school?
What can we do to ensure our teachers are well equipped and inspired to facilitate the delivery of service programs?
Are we building student agency sufficiently?
Are we using the most appropriate approach to teach for Sustainable Development and active Global Citizenship?
How are we integrating the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals into our students’ learning?
How do we make the connection between Diversity, Equity & Inclusion?
Is there consistency across student experiences of our service program?
Do we need a curriculum for service?
How can we fit service into our timetable?
What can we do to ensure our teachers are well equipped and inspired to facilitate the delivery of service programs?
Are we building student agency sufficiently?
Are we using the most appropriate approach to teach for Sustainable Development and active Global Citizenship?
How are we integrating the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals into our students’ learning?
How do we make the connection between service and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion?
Is there consistency across student experiences of our service program?
Do we need a curriculum for service?
How can we fit service into our timetable?
- Service is an important part of many school learning programs, but with tightly packed schedules and many curriculum areas to cover, it may not get the space and teaching time required to ensure that it aligns with best practice.
- Entering into community engagements without the foundational understandings and support required can lead to misconceptions in students’ learning. This can pave the way for less than optimal experiences for students and the communities they are collaborating with.
The Solution
Be The Change is a complete online program, delivering a robust service curriculum, through engaging lessons and a selection of carefully curated resources. This Turn-Key Hybrid Curriculum uses the Student Agency in Service Method™ (SASM).
Be The Change develops deep conceptual understandings and builds the capacity of learners, thus enriching the service experience. It will transform existing service engagements to maximise the potential for learning. Be The Change ensures that, through service, young people develop socially and emotionally in a holistic manner.
Be The Change
Course
- 11 engaging, interactive Lessons
- Broken into bite-size, modular sections
- Full range of delivery: classroom to 100% online
- Include assignment and quiz submissions for assessment
- Connect key themes and topics with service.
- Students earn awards as they progress
Be The Change
Toolkit
- Includes Stages of Service Learning by Cathryn Berger Kaye
- Scaffolds real life community engagement
- A range of informative and aspirational guides
- Downloadable activity templates and infographics
- Builds on the BTC lesson content
- Promotes student agency
Program Structure and Themes
Be The Change Lessons are grouped into four parts:
Foundational Understandings
Connection with Self
Connection with Other
Connection with the Wider World
Be The Change connects service with the following concepts and themes:
Community Engagement and Service
Sustainability and The Global Goals (SDGs)
Well Being and Mindfulness
21st Century Skills
Social and Emotional Learning
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Systems Thinking
Global Citizenship
Student Agency in Service Method™ (SASM)
Click the buttons to learn more about the SASM™ method.
Service Related Theoretical Learning
Key concepts are taught explicitly prior to real life service engagements.
Choice and Engagement
Students choose from comprehensive resources that scaffold their practical service work.
Independence and Autonomy
BTC puts the knowledge and skills in the hands of the students, promoting ownership.
Guided Self Reflection
Reflection prompts and tools throughout BTC ignites and focuses agency.
Collaboration and Co-construction
BTC teaches students to establish and work in service groups, alongside community stakeholders.
Inspiration and Empowerment
BTC supports young people to learn they are needed and capable of affecting positive change.
Teacher
Agency
Turn-key program which empowers teachers to develop as Global Citizenship educators and act as guides promoting student agency.
Assessment and Feedback
BTC Course provides opportunities for formative assessment & the Toolkit promotes the documentation of learning.
“Student agency is thus defined as the capacity to set a goal, reflect and act responsibly to effect change. It is about acting rather than being acted upon; shaping rather than being shaped; and making responsible decisions and choices rather than accepting those determined by others.”
- OECD 2030 Future of Education and Skills
Client Spotlight
Melissa Pubil, American Community School of Abu Dhabi
Student Project Example
Click the link to our artcle below to hear more from the YSA students:
Advancing Sustainable Development Goals: A Collective Responsibility
Student Testimonials
Be The Change for Independent Learners
This version of Be The Change is designed for young people who are home or unschooling, taking GAP years, or attending university and are interested in active global citizenship.
For more about Be The Change for independent learners please visit:
www.bethechange-independent.com
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ORENDA
(Oren-da) An innate and sometimes mystical power present in all humans which, once evoked, enables them to consciously affect change in their lives and the world around them. (n.) Iroquois origins.