C.O. I.B. TEACHING THE LEARNER PROFILE National Honors Society Coordinator: Chris Long clong@cousd.net iblong.org Congratulations! You are on your way to getting into college and being ahead as a student and leader once you get there!
C.O. I.B. TEACHING THE LEARNER PROFILE Who participates? National Honors Society 1. Members of the National Honors Society. Coordinator: Chris Long clong@cousd.net iblong.org 2. Any student in an I.B. course and participating in C.A.S. (Creativity, Action, Service). What are the requirements? NHS: Students are invited each semester based on their GPA. Once invited, they simply need to begin getting involved in their communities by volunteering and give the Coordinator what they are learning and experiencing. Examples of service: Volunteering for a person or an organization where you are able to meet a need in someone that they can t meet by themselves. You could mow a lawn, help at a library, hospital, retirement center or tutor another student on your own time. The best activities are on-going so you get to build relationships and learn over a long period of time. You have lots of freedom to choose what you do. CAS: Students who are taking at least one IB exam are challenged to participate outside of the classroom in a way that shows what they re learning inside the classroom, usually through volunteer work. Some things may be suggested by a teacher, some may be things you choose to do one your own. Some may even be a part of your classwork. Most student freely participate in activities on their own or in small groups and simply report back to the Coordinator. Students may keep records on a blog or in a hand-written journal. Students fall into 2 categories. Diploma: Students who are taking 6 exams are required to complete a range of hours and produce evidence of 8 prompts or questions. An acceptable range of hours is 50-100 hours over the course of both the junior and senior years. Diploma Course Candidates (Certificate): Students who are taking at least one IB exam. The requirements are to get involved in your community based on your passion, write reflections of what you are learning and experiencing, and report back to the Coordinator.
Is there a class or a club where everyone meets? Yes! 2 places: One is called IB Successful. Mrs. Shockey is the host and they meet in C6 at lunches. Stay tuned to the blog for announcements. The other is on campus in C1 where students meet for announcements, to turn in their reflections, and get updates on information for college, scholarships and financial aid. We meet once a month. What happens if I can t make an IB monthly meeting? Please don t miss. Check the blog! They are only once a month and include announcements, tasks to be done and How can I keep up with so many things to do? Log onto iblong.org and subscribe through your RSS reader (orange icon) or by clicking Sign Up and receiving updates. I update the site several times a week. Updates include meeting times, scholarship news, deadlines and links to important sites like teacher s web pages and college information. You can even submit your CAS and NHS work directly onto the blog by emailing it to me.. Why should I do any of this? Great question!! Here are the 2 biggest factors when someone applies to college: 1. Did you take the most rigorous course of study at your high school? 2. What makes you unique among the thousands of applicants? You will meet both of those by taking IB exams AND participating in the CAS process. In fact the personal statement you will write when you apply to school often counts as much as 40% of your application. Why? Because a school wants to know that you are a unique leader, not a robot genius! With all of your reflections you will already have this written! (Cool, huh?) If I don t join NHS or do CAS, do my IB and AP exam scores still count? Yes. You loose 2 things: 1. Recognition at Graduation. 2. A better shot at college. see Requirements and Recognition page for details. How late can I start? It depends on your circumstances. Meet with Mr. Long to work out the details.
C.A.S. overview TEACHING THE LEARNER PROFILE National Honors Society Coordinator: Chris Long clong@cousd.net iblong.org The most important part of CAS is that it s supposed to be a fun and rewarding way of teaching students involvement and leadership. Except for Diploma Candidates, it s optional. If it s not fun and you re burned out and stressed out then it s time to talk to Mr. Long and make some adjustments. Diploma students are required to do a range of about 150 hours but you won t find requirements for hours anywhere else. It s about impact! Here are some tips to making it successful: 1. If you re involved in NHS doing service you should count the same hours and activities for the Service in CAS. 2. Do your activities in groups. Drive together, eat together, laugh together, take pictures together and make a difference together! 3. Be creative as you choose your activities. There wasn t a Red Cross, Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, Toms, or Doctors Without Borders until someone thought of it. Be the first! 4. C.A.S. is meant to grow students, beginning in the sophomore year with NHS. Students should start small and grow in their responsibilities. 5. Class activities can count if they meet the following requirements: - The teacher approves the activity. - The activity connects your learning to a community outside of class. - You give Mr. Long your reflections and evidence. 6. Certificate Students only need to pick 1 or more of the 3 areas: Creativity, Action and Service. Diploma students are required to participate in all 3.
IDEAS TO GET YOU THINKING... creativity action service Help a teacher put up a display in a classroom Participate in the annual Book Fair at Barnes and Noble Volunteer to help with a drama, dance or art show Ask your fine arts teacher if they have any ideas of activities you can do. Volunteer to decorate a Rose Parade float. Story time at a library Something that makes you sweat! Volunteer for Habitat For Humanity Play a sport (you may document the games or matches only, not practices). Help a teacher clean a classroom. Volunteer in a youth league as a coach. Help a neighbor with chores. Volunteer at a... library hospital university Help an organization like... Habitat For Humanity The Salvation Army The Red Cross a blood drive Help in your local community by... tutoring kids helping teachers helping your neighbors helping at a school over the summer EVIDENCE: Whether you are in the IB program or N.H.S. the goal is always 2 things: 1. Reflecting on what you are learning through writing. 2. Gathering evidence of what you ve done. Evidence can be pictures, letters, tickets, journal entries, blog entries, thank you notes, etc. Post them on your blog and hang them up in C1!
C.A.S. for Diploma TEACHING THE LEARNER PROFILE National Honors Society Coordinator: Chris Long clong@cousd.net iblong.org When do I start my hours? Your junior year. Summer hours count for the following year. How many hours do I do? It is suggested that you complete a range of about 150 hours total, during your 2 years in the program. How do I pass? 1. Participate in activities. 2. Reflect on what you re learning and experiencing in a written journal or Mr. Long s blog. 3. Bring in your reflections and evidence to C1. 4. Use your evidence and reflections to answer the 8 prompts or questions below: 1. How am I growing in my own awareness of my strengths and weaknesses? 2. What challenges have I been through? 3. In what ways have I started new challenges? 4. In what ways have I developed new skills? 5. In what ways have I shown perseverance and commitment to my activities? 6. In what ways have I worked collaboratively? 7. In what ways have I been engaged in issues with global importance? 8. What are the ethical or moral implications of what I ve been doing and learning?
CHARTER OAK HIGH SCHOOL I.B. LEARNER PROFILE Inquirers They develop their natural curiosity. They acquire the skills necessary to conduct inquiry and research and show independence in learning. They actively enjoy learning and this love of learning will be sustained throughout their lives. Knowledgeable They explore concepts, ideas and issues that have local and global significance. In so doing, they acquire in-depth knowledge and develop understanding across a broad and balanced range of disciplines. Thinkers They exercise initiative in applying thinking skills critically and creatively to recognize and approach complex problems, and make reasoned, ethical decisions. Communicators They understand and express ideas and information confidently and creatively in more than one language and in a variety of modes of communication. They work effectively and willingly in collaboration with others. Principled They act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness, justice and respect for the dignity of the individual, groups and communities. They take responsibility for their own actions and the consequences that accompany them. Open-Minded They understand and appreciate their own cultures and personal histories, and are open to the perspectives, values and traditions of other individuals and communities. They are accustomed to seeking and evaluating a range of points of view, and are willing to grow from the experience. Caring They show empathy, compassion and respect towards the needs and feelings of others. They have a personal commitment to service, and act to make a positive difference to the lives of others and to the environment. Risk-Takers They approach unfamiliar situations and uncertainty with courage and forethought, and have the independence of spirit to explore new roles, ideas and strategies. They are brave and articulate in defending their beliefs. Balance They understand the importance of intellectual, physical and emotional balance to achieve personal well-being for themselves and others. Reflective They give thoughtful consideration to their own learning and experience. They are able to assess and understand their strengths and limitations in order to support their learning and personal development.
HONORS REQUIREMENTS AND RECOGNITION STUDENT EXAMS AND CLASSES I.B. LEARNER PROFILE (CAS: Creativity, Action, Service) ADVANTAGES and RECOGNITION IB DIPLOMA: An Diploma student must test in at least 6 exams, complete CAS, TOK and the Extended Essay English Math History Foreign Language Science Arts (or 2 sciences) Extended Essay Theory and Knowledge CAS Must complete a range of 50-100 hours of community service during both junior and senior years. Passing is not based on hours but on growth and evidence of impact. Each candidate will produce their evidence and responses to 8 prompts. All work will be submitted to Coordinator. College/University credit where applicable if you pass exam(s). Colleges look for 2 things: Did you attempt the most rigorous coursework available? What sets you apart from other candidates? (Candidate Statement can be up to 40% of college app!) (White sash at Graduation, passed out at Senior awards night.) IB DIPLOMA COURSE CANDIDATE: (formerly Certificate ) (With Graduation Recognition) A student must test in at least 1 exam their Senior year. English Math History Foreign Language Science Arts Must complete approved activities, that demonstrate learning and impact outside of the routine coursework student is testing in. Reflections and evidence and of growth must be turned into Teacher and Coordinator. College/University credit where applicable if you pass exam(s). What sets you apart from other candidates? (Candidate Statement) (Purple cord at Graduation, passed out at Senior Awards night.) IB DIPLOMA COURSE CANDIDATE: (formerly Certificate ) A student must test in at least 1 exam their Senior or Junior year. English Math History Foreign Language Science Arts Normal classwork. College/University credit where applicable if you pass exam(s) NATIONAL HONORS SOCIETY: Any student who is willing to leave behind a legacy of Service. No Exams. Must maintain GPA of 10th: 3.5 Cum./ Academic/ Weighted Service: Starts in Sophomore year. Students will give records and reflections to Coordinator. Membership in an exclusive organization. (Silver cord at Graduation, passed out at Senior Awards night.)