How your children will get the IB Diploma without going insane (and taking you with them).
So this is what I tell them (and you). That s me as Socrates
Academic Requirements: IB Courses in all academic areas Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature Group 2: Language Acquisition Group 3: Individuals and Societies Group 4: Sciences Group 5: Mathematics Group 6: The Arts (or an Elective from Groups 2, 3, or 4) erm
Academic Requirements: During Junior and Senior year, students must take: 3 Higher Level IB Courses (HL) 240 instructional hours over 2 years 3 Standard Level IB Courses (SL) 150 hours instructional hours in 1 year or over 2 years At least 1 SL must go over 2 years
IB Subject Grades: Grades are awarded on a 1-7 point scale at the end of the course The grade is determined by achievement on: Internal Assessments Graded by the course teacher External Assessments Graded by external examiners
Awarding of the IB Diploma Students must: Accrue a minimum 24 of 45 possible points in their 6 IB courses over the 2 year program
IB Diploma Requirements: The Core Theory of Knowledge (TOK) The Extended Essay (EE) Creativity-Activity-Service (CAS)
Theory of Knowledge A 2-year course during Junior and Senior year Assessments The TOK Presentation Internally Assessed (IA) The TOK Paper Externally Assessed (EA) Supervised independent coursework in other areas of study
The Extended Essay A 4000-word independent research investigation In a major academic subject area Under the supervision of a schoolbased mentor External Assessment
Creativity-Activity-Service (CAS) A weekly commitment over 18 months The beginning of the academic year as Juniors through Mid-April of Senior year
CAS Learning Outcomes: Undertaking new challenges Planning and initiative Collaboration skills Perseverance and commitment Engagement with global issues Considering ethical implications Developing new skills
CAS Is and Isn t: Is: An opportunity to grow A balance of C, A, and S A chance to take risks (in a good way)
CAS Is and Isn t: Isn t: Only one area of pursuit Just showing up and not engaging fully Random or haphazard
What was I thinking? they say. It s really quite possible, I say. And I KNOW. Trust me, I say. (And, for the most part, they do.)
I Ask the DC s to Consider: Why am I in the IB Diploma Program? What do I want to get out of it? What are my strengths coming in? What are my weaknesses? And, very importantly
Who is in control of my academic future? (They need to think carefully about this last one )
A Key Fact: The Hexagon is our friend. Group 1 Group 2 Group 3 Group 4 Group 5 Group 6
Two More Facts and One Important Guiding Principle IB is not a cross to bear It is an opportunity to explore, to engage, and to extend. (And it s not supposed to be easy, or everyone would do it.)
OK, they say. Give me something I can use. And I give them
Strategy! 6 Academic Areas (see your Hexagon) A Possible 7 points in each area The Math: a Possible 42 And then there s BONUS POINTS!! TOK and EE: Up to 3 EXTRA points! Yes!
Strategy (cont d) Uh Yeah: TOK and EE are required and you only get bonus points. We ll come back to that Hunh?
Strategy (cont d): So You can get 45 points total. But You only NEED 24 points. I m not good at the math, but how hard could that be? Hmmm??
Well Students must also have: A minimum total of 12 points overall for the 3 HL s No Failing Conditions for any DP Subject or Core work
Doh! Wait! What if I do have fewer than 24 total? Easy: You must gain those crucial BONUS POINTS No, not if you cover your bases
Covering your Bases: Now, we look at a Matrix. (No, not that one This one s even cooler.)
The Matrix! TOK EE A B C D E No Grade N A 3 3 2 2 Failing Condition Failing Condition B 3 2 2 1 C 2 2 1 0 D 2 1 0 0 Failing Condition Failing Condition Failing Condition Failing Condition Failing Condition Failing Condition E Failing Condition Failing Condition Failing Condition Failing Condition Failing Condition Failing Condition No Grade N Failing Condition Failing Condition Failing Condition Failing Condition Failing Condition Failing Condition
A Logical Question: So how much do the EE and TOK matter? Maybe quite a bit. Let s do the math!
Some Math: Student A: Does she get the Diploma? Course: Grade (out of a possible 7): English A1 HL 5 Biology HL 5 Mathematics HL 4 Spanish B SL 6 World Religions SL 6 Physics SL 6 TOK [B], EE [A] 3 Total = 35
Some More Math (Whee.): Student B: Does he get the Diploma? Course: Grade (out of a possible 7): English A1 HL 4 Biology HL 3 History-20 th Century HL 5 Mathematics SL 3 Spanish B SL 4 Chemistry SL 4 TOK [B], EE [B] 2 Total = 25 Victory!
Some More Math (Yow.): Student D: Does he get the Diploma? Course: Grade (out of a possible 7): English A1 HL 5 Biology HL 4 Mathematics HL 3 World Religions SL 7 Spanish AB SL 4 Economics SL 5 TOK [B], EE [C] 2 Total = 30
Last of the Math (Thank you.): Student E: Does he get the Diploma? Course: Grade (out of a possible 7): English A1 HL 5 Biology HL 3 History-20 th Century HL 4 Economics SL 4 Spanish B SL 4 Math SL 3 TOK [C], EE [D] 0 Total = 23
OK Now What?
The IB Student must develop: ORGANIZATION SKILLS Managing time and tasks effectively Use Calendars and Reminders Plan ahead Spend the right amount of time on tasks great and small Avoiding procrastination Goal-setting Enduring vs. Excelling GPA obsession vs. IB Diploma awarding
The IB Student must develop: AFFECTIVE SKILLS Managing state of mind Choose your attitude Self-motivation Note the word SELF Resilience Do you have GRIT? Mindfulness Focus on the task at hand Take time for yourself
Lastly
And Know the IB Diploma Program and your GOAL:
The IB Diploma!!
(Sure, the bling at Graduation, too.)
And you get to say: Good-bye! Good luck!
Don t come back.
Questions?