3. About me22 Years teaching
Geography, History, Theory of Knowledge
UK, Venezuela, Jordan, Philippines
IB examiner / Workshop Leader
3 Children - Non IB!
7. Today’s Agenda
1. Provide Information to Help You Make
Good Choices
2.Give Some College Perspectives on the
Choices
3.Answer Questions
4.Best Ways to Spend Your Summer
5.Important Testing Information
8. Decisions...
●Need to choose - March 6-10
●Digital selection system - parent
notification
●Discussion process
●Waiver-Support system
28. Life in the 21st century, in an
interconnected, globalized world,
requires critical-thinking skills and a
sense of international-mindedness,
something that International
Baccalaureate® (IB) Diploma Program
students come to know and understand.
International Baccalaureate Philosophy...
31. 3 Higher Level + 3 Standard Level Choices
Hours
240 Vs 150
Content
More & Deeper
Assessment
More requirements,
different standards
Key Choice Decisions
+ Where am I going to achieve greatest success
and enjoyment?
+ What do I really need?
32. Extended Essay
Compulsory 4000
research essay
for IB Diploma
students
Core Elements
Theory of
Knowledge
Compulsory
Philosophy /
Thinking course
for IB diploma
students
CAS
Creativity / Action
Service
Service Compulsory for all
students at ISM - IB DP or
not! - Other elements are
Diploma requirements
33. How is it Assessed?
6 subjects - scale 1- 7 points
Total subject score potential =
42 Points
ToK + Extended essay = 3
points
Total maximum Score = 45
34. ISM Performance in IB Diploma
World Av. Score = 30 Points
ISM Average = 35.5
150,000 students May 2016
201 score 45 (2 at ISM)
79% Pass Rate
100% Pass rate at ISM
36. Group 1 - Studies in language & Literature
English Literature
The Traditional English Lit
course - novels, plays, poetry
etc...
English language &
Literature
Less Lit… but with additional
language in cultural contexts,
media, communication etc...
Korean Lit
Same as English Lit… just in
Korean
First Language must be
Korean
Japanese Lit
Same as English Lit… just in
Japanese
First language must be
Japanese
Filipino Lit
Same as English Lit… just in
Filipino
Not an easy option!
Self-Taught (SL Only)
Scheduled
Tutor
Mr Lightbown
Literature Study
37. Group 2 - Language Acquisition
French
SL / HL / Ab Initio
Spanish
SL / HL / Ab Initio
Mandarin
SL / HL / Ab Initio
New Option
Key Considerations
Language pathways generally set - Grade 9 & 10 course and level should ideally be
pursued
Better to achieve proficiency in one language than to try many
Ab Initio is not an easy option!
38. Group 3 - Social Studies / Humanities
Geography SL/HL
Familiar - Global studies
following on from grade 9
course
History SL/HL
World History Course
Psychology SL/HL
Unfamiliar Course -
Information Feb 8th Assembly
Economics SL/HL
Unfamiliar Course -
Information Feb 8th Assembly
Business Management
SL/HL
Unfamiliar Course -
Information Feb 8th Assembly
Global Politics SL/HL
New Course - Information Feb
8th Assembly
39. Group 3 & 4 - Environmental Systems & Societies
Key Information - Transdisciplinary Subject!
+ ESS - can be taken as your Group 3 subject
+ ESS - can be taken as your Group 4 subject
+ ESS - can be taken to cover BOTH group 3 and 4! - Freedom to do
other subjects!
Unfamiliar subject - find out more on Feb 8th
40. Group 4 - The Sciences
Physics
Familiar - Grade 10 Physics -
leads easily to HL
Integrated Science good
preparation for SL
Chemistry
Familiar - Grade 10 Chemistry
-leads easily to HL
Integrated Science good
preparation for SL
Biology
Familiar - Grade 10 Biology -
leads easily to HL
Integrated Science good
preparation for SL
Sports Exercise &
Health Science
Unfamiliar Course -
Information Feb 8th Assembly
Slot - Social Studies corridor
Computer Science
Should have some
programming / coding skills
to succeed here.
Design Technology
No prerequisite but
experience in intro / explore
DT or robotics would be an
advantage
41. Group 4 - Sciences
Key Considerations
+ Science pathways are determined to some extent by grade 9 / 10
choices
+ Not Fixed! - Integrated science does allow HL single sciences
+ Some US colleges prefer traditional sciences
+ Some Career paths require certain sciences - Medicine = Bio /
Chem
+ Engineering traditionally = Physics / Chem
+ HL Physics needs at least SL Math
42. Group 5 - Mathematics
Math Studies Math SL Math HL
Key Considerations
You will receive a teacher recommendation for best Math level for you…
best to abide by this
Can Change - it is a recommendation only
Check college / course / country requirement carefully… important!
43. Group 6 - The Arts - (Optional Group)
Film
Into / Explore would be helpful
but not necessary
Theatre
Into / Explore would be helpful
but not necessary
Visual Arts
Into / Explore would be helpful
but not necessary
Key Considerations
No Exams!
Consider stress / balance / Enjoyment
Portfolio / examples of work requirements for college
Don’t under-value the arts!
44. I need to take
two sciences!!
AP classes are
preferred in
the USA
admissions
process.
I HAVE to take
the same
language all
four years.
45.
46. IB students
have no life!
The ARTS are
not as
important in the
IB program/
college
admissions
process.
If I want to
study business,
I should take IB
Biz Mngmt & IB
Economics.
47. I MUST take
the full IB if I
want to attend
college outside
of the USA.
I won’t get into
college if I take
Math Studies.
I am not smart
if I do not do
the full IB.
49. The IB Partial diploma
The student can sit a range
of IB courses and exams to
suit themselves
No requirements in terms of
Groups
No requirements in terms of
HL / SL
No Extended essay or
Theory of Knowledge
Freedom & Flexibility
50. What does this look like?
Up to 6 subject
options
Any Level
Ability to combine
with other ISM courses
as a mixed
programme of study
Potential for more
vocational focus: e.g.
Computer Science
The Arts
Lower Stress
Curriculum - but still
very rigorous
Credits still available
at college for exams
successfully
completed
51.
52. + 1 Year Courses
+ Flexibility
+ College level / credit
Advanced Placement (AP)
Taught AP Options at ISM
+ AP US History
+ AP Human Geography
+ AP Literature & Composition
53. Advanced Placement (AP)
Options to sit other AP exams
Any AP subject is testable at ISM
- Registration through IB office
Caution:
Not an easy
undertaking
Necessary?
Workload
54. Student Example 1 - Non IB
Junior Year:
Math SL
History SL
Chemistry SL
English HL
Economics HL
Comp Sci HL
AP US History
Senior Year:
Math SL
History SL
Chemistry SL
English HL
Economics HL
Comp Sci HL
Physics HL Year 1
58. Option 3: The International School
Manila High School Diploma
59. Graduation Requirements
All students are eligible for awarding of the
ISM High School Diploma as long as
graduation requirements are met.
Accredited US High School Diploma - CIS /
WASC
Any concerns - see counselor
60. Internal Exam Track
Students can choose / opt to follow any course as
a non-examined option
Much scope and flexibility - but less academic
rigour
61. Next Steps - Think & Talk… to everybody - but
take the advice with a ‘pinch of salt’ - personal
opinions vary!
62. Unfamiliar Subjects
Feb 8th Social Studies Corridor
Small Group Sessions
Feb 9 - 28 - chance to discuss with counsellors
Parent & Student Night
Choices Meeting Info Night 6:00-8:00 FAT Feb 7
