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 IB Courses in all academic areas Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature Group 2: Language Acquisition Group 2: Language Acquisition Group 3: Individuals and Societies Group 3: Individuals and Societies Group 4: Sciences Group 4: Sciences Group 5: Mathematics Group 5: Mathematics Group 6: The Arts (or an Elective Group 6: The Arts (or an Elective from Groups 2, 3, or 4) from Groups 2, 3, or 4) “erm…” “erm…”

Academic Requirements: During Junior and Senior year, students must take: During Junior and Senior year, students must take: 3 Higher Level IB Courses (HL) 3 Higher Level IB Courses (HL) 240 instructional hours over 2 years 240 instructional hours over 2 years 3 Standard Level IB Courses (SL) 3 Standard Level IB Courses (SL) 150 hours instructional hours in 1 year or over 2 years 150 hours instructional hours in 1 year or over 2 years At least 1 SL must go 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 Grades are awarded on a 1-7 point scale at the end of the course The grade is determined by achievement on: The grade is determined by achievement on: Internal Assessments Internal Assessments Graded by the course teacher Graded by the course teacher External Assessments External Assessments Graded by external examiners Graded by external examiners

Awarding of the IB Diploma Students must: Students must: Accrue a minimum 24 of 45 possible points in their 6 IB courses over the 2 year program 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) Theory of Knowledge (TOK) The Extended Essay (EE) The Extended Essay (EE) Creativity-Action-Service (CAS) Creativity-Action-Service (CAS)

Theory of Knowledge A 2-year course during Junior and Senior year A 2-year course during Junior and Senior year Assessments Assessments The TOK Presentation The TOK Presentation Internally Assessed (IA) Internally Assessed (IA) The TOK Paper The TOK Paper Externally Assessed (EA) Externally Assessed (EA) Supervised independent coursework in other areas of study Supervised independent coursework in other areas of study

The Extended Essay A 4000-word independent research investigation A 4000-word independent research investigation In a major academic subject area In a major academic subject area Under the supervision of a school- based mentor Under the supervision of a school- based mentor External Assessment External Assessment

Creativity-Action-Service (CAS) 150 hours over 2 years 150 hours over 2 years June 1, Junior year through April 15, Senior year

CAS Learning Outcomes: Self-awareness Undertaking new challenges Planning and initiative Collaboration Perseverance and commitment Engagement with global issues Considering ethical implications Developing new skills

CAS Is and Isn’t: Is: An opportunity to grow An opportunity to grow A balance of C, A, and S A balance of C, A, and S A chance A chance to take risks to take risks (in a good way) (in a good way)

CAS Is and Isn’t: Isn’t: For school credit or cash money For school credit or cash money Just showing up and not engaging fully Just showing up and not engaging fully Random or Random or haphazard 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? Why am I in the IB Diploma Program? What do I want to get out of it? What do I want to get out of it? What are my strengths coming in? What are my strengths coming in? What are my weaknesses? What are my weaknesses? And, very importantly… 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 1 Group 2 Group 3 Group 2 Group 3 Group 4 Group 5 Group 4 Group 5 Group 6 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…

Strategery! 6 Academic Areas (see your Hexagon) 6 Academic Areas (see your Hexagon) A Possible 7 points in each area… A Possible 7 points in each area… The Math: a Possible 42 The Math: a Possible 42 And then there’s BONUS POINTS!! And then there’s BONUS POINTS!! TOK and EE: Up to 3 EXTRA points! TOK and EE: Up to 3 EXTRA points!Yes!

Strategery (cont’d) Uh…Yeah: ToK and EE are required and you only get bonus points. We’ll come back to that… Hunh?

Strategery (cont’d): So… You can get 45 points total. So… You can get 45 points total. But… You only NEED 24 points. But… You only NEED 24 points. I’m not good at the math, but how hard could that be? 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 A minimum total of 12 points overall for the 3 HL’s No scores of 2 or lower in any HL No scores of 2 or lower in any HL

“Doh!” “Wait! What if I do have fewer than 24 total points, or fewer than12 points in my 3 HL’s, or score a 2 on an HL Exam?” Easy: You must have a minimum total of 28 points (rather than 24…) No, not if you cover your bases… No, not if you cover your bases…

Covering your Bases, Pt. 1: Remember your 3 SL’s? Crush them! As SL’s, they should be somewhat easier to crush.

Covering your Bases, Pt. 2: 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 Failing Condition B Failing Condition Failing Condition C Failing Condition D E No Grade N Failing Condition

A Logical Question: “So how much do the EE and TOK matter?” “So how much do the EE and TOK matter?” Maybe quite a bit. Let’s do the math! Maybe quite a bit. Let’s do the math!

Some Math: Student A: Does she get the Diploma? Student A: Does she get the Diploma? Course:Grade (out of a possible 7): Course:Grade (out of a possible 7): English A1 HL5 English A1 HL5 Biology HL 5 Biology HL 5 Mathematics HL4 Mathematics HL4 Spanish B SL4 Spanish B SL4 World Religions SL 6 World Religions SL 6 Physics SL 6 Physics SL 6 TOK [B], EE [C]2 TOK [B], EE [C]2 Total = 32 Total = 32

Some More Math (Whee.) : Student B: Does he get the Diploma? Student B: Does he get the Diploma? Course:Grade (out of a possible 7): English A1 HL4 English A1 HL4 Biology HL 3 Biology HL 3 History-20 th Century HL5 History-20 th Century HL5 Mathematics SL3 Mathematics SL3 Spanish B SL4 Spanish B SL4 Chemistry SL 4 Chemistry SL 4 TOK [B], EE [B]2 TOK [B], EE [B]2 Total = 25 Total = 25 Victory! Victory!

Some More Math (Yow.) : Student D: Does he get the Diploma? Course:Grade (out of a possible 7): English A1 HL5 Biology HL4 Mathematics HL2 World Religions SL7 Spanish AB SL4 Economics SL5 TOK [B], EE [C]2 Total = 29

Last of the Math (Thank you.) : Student E: Does he get the Diploma? Course:Grade (out of a possible 7): English A1 HL4 Biology HL3 History-20th Century HL4 Economics SL5 Spanish B SL5 Math Studies SL5 TOK [B], EE [D]1 Total = 27

“OK… Now What?” I thought you’d never ask. IB Students must: IB Students must: Organize Organize Day-to-Day, Week-to-Week Day-to-Day, Week-to-Week Strategize Strategize Strengths and Weaknesses Strengths and Weaknesses Advocate Advocate Know when, how, and to whom they should speak Know when, how, and to whom they should speak Understand Understand The Diploma Program and their goal… The Diploma Program and their goal…

The IB Diploma!!

(Sure, the bling at Graduation, too.)

And you get to say: Good-bye! Good luck!

Don’t come back.

Questions?