IB Curriculum

Subject Areas:
 Group 1 - English
 Group 2 - Foreign Language
 Group 3 - Social Sciences
 Group 4 - Experimental Science
 Group 5 - Mathematics
 Group 6 - The Arts & Electives
 Theory of Knowledge and Extended Essay

 

English:

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I011 IB English I
Prerequisite: IB Program Placement with successful completion of Pre-IB 10 English
Grade Level: 11, (two semesters)

The first part of the two-year IB English curriculum leads students through an intensive study of world literature, which will expand students' awareness of the international focus of IB, as well as prepare for PART ONE WORLD LITERATURE, to be studies in the senior year.  Students will prepare and present various oral presentations, one of which will be used for half the Internal Assessment in IB II.  Students may also produce mini-art units, tying the works to significant art events of the time.  A comprehensive essay over one of the world authors studied from PART FOUR: SCHOOL'S FREE CHOICE, may be used for World Literature Essay #2.  The major emphasis of this part of the study is to develop critical readers, thinkers, and writers.  The course also prepares students for the Advanced Placement English Language exam in May.

The course of study must involve three time periods, three geographic locations four literary genres, with a heavy emphasis on world authors.

I012 IB English II
Prerequisite: IB English I, IB Program Placement
Grade Level: 12, (two semesters)

This course completes the IB requirements for Higher Level English.  See the curriculum and assessment list below.  Students polish skills on essay responses to detailed questions and on oral analyses of selected literature.  This course also prepares students for the AP English Literature exam in May.

The time for IB II is constructed around the strict deadlines from IB.  For example, world literature essay #1 must be completed by December; Lord Literature essay #2, by the end of January.  The Internal Assessments are conducted in February and March.  Students sit the two final papers in early May.

The two-year curriculum, with the year of study designated, is as follows:

PART ONE:  WORLD LITERATURE - World Literature Essay #1 and possibly #2 (each 10% of IB English A1 grade)  [Must be written in a language other than English]

    Franz Kafka, The Metamorphosis - 12

    Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Chronicle of a Death Foretold - 12

    Alexander Solzhenitsyn, One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich - 12

PART TWO:  DETAILED STUDY - 4 works, different authors, Internal Assessment over Frost or Ellison (15% of IB English A1 grade)

    William Shakespeare, Hamlet - 11

    Tom Stoppard, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead - 11

    Selected Poems of Robert Frost - 12 (Internal Assessment)

    Ralph Ellison, Invisible Man - 12 (Internal Assessment)

PART THREE:  GENRE STUDY (Non-Fiction Unit): [IB Paper #2 in May, 25% of IB English A1 grade]

    Henry David Thoreau, "On the Duty of Civil Disobedience" -12

    Ralph Waldo Emerson, "Self Reliance" - 12

    Nadine Gordimer, "Our Century," " Writing and Being (Nobel speech)," " Berlin/Johannesberg" 1 12

    Annie Dillard, "Teaching a Stone to Talk," " An Expedition to the Pole," "Life on the Rocks: The        Galapagos" - 12

PART FOUR: SCHOOL'S FREE CHOICE - World Literature Essay #2, Oral Presentation (10%, 15% resp.)

    Arthur Miller, The Crucible - 11 (Oral Presentation)

    Joseph Conrad, Heart of Darkness - 11 (Oral Presentation or World Literature Essay #2)

    Chinua Achebe, Things Fall Apart - 11 (Oral Presentation or World Literature Essay #2)

    James Joyce, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man - 12 (suggested for World Literature Essay #2)

 

All essays and oral presentation are assessed, using IB Descriptors (grading rubrics) for each type of assignment.  IB I students also begin the intensive study of poetry.  Portfolio assessment concludes each semester.
 

Foreign Languages:

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Foreign Language V
A470 AP/IB Spanish V
A474 AP/IB French V
A478 AP/IB German V
Prerequisite: Foreign Language IV or Teacher Approval
Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Students prepare for the IB Foreign Language Exam through reading, discussion, and analysis of
selected literary works as well as video and audio activities. Students completing this course are eligible
to sit for the Advanced Placement Examination.
 

Social Sciences:

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I121 IB Study of the Americas I: U.S. History
Prerequisite: IB Program Placement, Pre IB World History
Grade Level: 11
(two semesters)
This study focuses on the history of the U.S. from exploration to the present. Emphasis is given to
political, economics, and social history during this time period. Essays and analysis of
document-based questions are included. Students may sit the A.P. U.S. History test at the conclusion
of this course.

I122 IB Study of the Americas II
Prerequisite: Study of the Americas I, IB Program Placement
Grade Level: 12
(two semesters)
This study focuses on the SL requirements of the IB exam, and on the history of South America in the twentieth century. One  major research paper is required by the International Baccalaureate Curriculum.

I111 IB Philosophy I
Prerequisite: IB Program Placement
Grade Level: 11, 12
(two semesters)
This course is a survey of philosophical thought from the Ancient through the Renaissance Period.
Selected readings and discussion are required.

I112 IB Philosophy II
Prerequisite: IB Program Placement
Grade Level: 12
(two semesters)
This course is a continuation of Philosophy I. It focuses on the study of philosophical thought from
the Neo Classical through the Modern Period. Selected readings and discussion are required.

Experimental Sciences:

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I221 IB Physics SL
Prerequisite: Chemistry, Algebra II, Geometry, and IB Program Placement
Grade Level: 11, 12
(two semesters or 150 contact hours)
Students study the areas of mechanics, properties of matter, heat, sound, electricity, magnetism, light,
atomic and nuclear physics, and relativity. This course requires the student to have a strong
mathematics background. Laboratory experiments are designed to enhance classroom activities. All
students are required to complete a science fair project and enter it into competition. The class will
also compete in the Engineering Fair. The students will maintain a detailed laboratory notebook and
must sit for an external examination. Students may sit for the Advanced Placement Physics Exam at
end of year.

I222 IB Physics HL
Prerequisite: Teacher Approval
Grade Level: 11-12
(four semesters or 240 teacher contact hours)
Students study the areas of mechanics, properties of matter, heat, sound, electricity, magnetism, light,
atomic and nuclear physics, and relativity. This course requires the student to have a strong
mathematics background. Laboratory experiments are designed to enhance classroom activities. All
students are required to complete a science fair project and enter it into competition. The class will
also compete in the Engineering Fair. The students will maintain a detailed laboratory notebook and
must sit for an external examination. A special project of a discovery nature will be required.

I231 IB Biology SL
Prerequisite: Pre IB Biology, Pre IB Chemistry or Teacher Approval
Grade Level: 11, 12
(two semesters)
A one year course in biological science designed to prepare the student for the IB subsidiary
examination. Course will cover core knowledge in biology to include the biology of cells, human
beings, plants. The course will also cover genetics, evolution and ecology. One of four optional area
must also be studied. The option areas are human ecology, environmental biology, green plants and
molecular biology. Course includes extensive laboratory work with a comprehensive laboratory
notebook.

I232 IB Biology HL
Prerequisite: Pre IB Biology, Pre IB Chemistry and Teacher Approval
Grade Level: 11, 12
(four semesters)
A two year course in biological science designed to prepare the student for the IB higher level
examination. Course will cover biochemical basis of life, cell biology, organisms, reproduction,
heredity and variation, and ecology, evolution and behavior. Extension material in some of the areas
will be studied based on student and instructor interest. Course includes extensive laboratory work
with a comprehensive laboratory notebook.

I211 IB Chemistry SL
Prerequisite: Biology, Algebra I and Teacher Approval
Grade Level: 11-12
(two semesters or 150 teacher contact hours)
The course will devote more time to theoretical and experimental aspects of chemistry. The major
emphasis is on discovery of scientific principles. All students are required to complete a science fair
project and enter it into competition. The class will also compete in the Engineering Fair. The
students will maintain a detailed laboratory notebook and must sit for an external examination.

I212 IB Chemistry HL
Prerequisite: Teacher Approval
Grade Level: 11-12
(four semesters or 240 teacher contact hours)
The course will devote more time to theoretical and experimental aspects of chemistry. The major
emphasis is on discovery of scientific principles. All students are required to complete a science fair
project and enter it into competition. The class will also compete in the Engineering Fair. The
students will maintain a detailed laboratory notebook and must sit for an external examination. A
special project of a discovery nature will be required.
 

Mathematics:

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I511 IB Mathematical Studies
Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in IB Math I: Precalculus
Grade Level: 11
(one semester)
Students will study the extended topics required for the IB Math Studies Examination.  A math
project to be submitted to the IB International Office will be a major component.  Students in this
course will be expected to sit for the IB Math Studies Examination.

I512 IB Math II: Calculus
Prerequisite: IB Math I: Precalculus and Teacher Approval
Grade Level: 12
(two semesters)
Students will study a college level calculus I course.  The course of study includes functions and their
graphs, limits and continuity, differential calculus including the application of the derivative,
antiderivative, the definite integral, fundamental theorems, and some applications of the definite
integral.  Students completing this course are eligible to sit for the Advanced Placement Examination.
 

The Arts and Electives:

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I381 IB Art & Design (Subsidiary Level)
Prerequisite: IB Placement
Grade Level: 11, 12
(two semesters)
This is a special course offering study in the visual design field. Black and white and color design will
be explored. Introduction to computer graphics design techniques will be taught. Special emphasis
will be placed on the design of ethnic cultures.

I382 IB Art & Design (Higher Level)
Prerequisite: IB Placement
Grade Level: 11, 12
(four semesters)
This is a college-based course offering advanced level study in the visual art design field. Problem
solving teaching methods will be used. Mastery level of the basic elements of black and white and
color design will be taught. Mastery of contemporary design technology using computer imaging,
printing, typography, layout, color imaging, illustration, and computer problem vocabulary will be
emphasized in the course. Beginning graphic design, advertising design, and package design will be
offered. Design concepts, utilizing of art works of the past and contemporary ethnic cultures such as
African American, Native American, and Asian American will be produced. A portfolio and
workbook will be required in the course concepts, utilizing of art works of the past and contemporary
ethnic cultures such as Afro-American, Native-American, and Asian-American will be produced. A
portfolio and workbook will be required in the course.

I281 IB Advanced Computer Science-SL
I282 IB Advanced Computer Science-HL
Prerequisite: Pre-IB Advanced Programming
Grade Level: 11, 12
(two semesters)
This course prepares students who have demonstrated skill in computer programming for the IB
Computer exams: 2 semesters for subsidiary level, 4 semesters for higher level.  Students continue their study of PASCAL. Using a structured approach, students define a problem, plan a solution, code
programs, debug programs and provide formal documentation. Additional topics are data communications, data structures, understanding capabilities/limitations of computer hardware/software, and computer architecture.  Students must complete a major programming project that meets IB
guidelines.
 

Theory of Knowledge:

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I131 IB Theory of Knowledge I
Prerequisite: IB Program Placement
Grade Level: 11
(spring semester)
Students engage in the reflection and questioning of the bases of knowledge and experience.
Students develop an awareness of subjective and ideological biases.

I132 IB Theory of Knowledge II
Prerequisite: IB Theory of Knowledge I
Grade Level: 12
(fall semester)
This course is a continuation of Theory of Knowledge I.  Students develop a personal Mode of
thought for selected class topics based on critical examination of evidence as expressed in rational
terms.

 

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