IB Diploma Program at Lester B. Pearson

1. IB Diploma Program at Lester B. Pearson LBP Open House: December 6th, 2012

2. What is the IB mission? Mission The International Baccalaureate programme aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. To this end, the organization works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment. These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.

3. What is International–Mindedness? • It is an intellectual and ethical stance; a philosophy, an outlook. • This is demonstrated through individual responsibility and liberty, being members of the global community, and taking on issues of social justice which affect all of mankind.

4. CBE and IB: a Proud Heritage since 1980 • Sir Winston Churchill - 1980 • Western Canada - 1981 • Henry Wise Wood - 1998 • John G. Diefenbaker - 1998 • Lester B. Pearson - 2004

5. IB Components Students study concurrently: • Three subjects at higher level (240 hours each). • Three subjects at standard level(150 hours each). • Allthree parts of the core.

6. Subjects offered at LBP: Standard Level • Mathematics (Group 5) • Biology SL (Group 4) • Physics SL (Group 4) • French SL (Group 2) • French Ab Initio (Group 2) • Visual Arts SL (Group 6) • Higher Level • English A1 HL (Group 1) • History HL (Group 3) • Chemistry HL (Group 4)

7. IB Contents: • 4,000 words (Max.) • Offers the opportunity to investigate a research question of individual interest. • Familiarises students with the independent research and writing skills expected at university. There are three core components: 1.The Extended Essay

8. IB Contents (cont’d) 2. Creativity, Action and Service (CAS) • Encourages students to be involved in artistic pursuits, sports and community service. • Explore education outside the classroom. • For Grade 10, it is expected that students complete 15 hours per category (45 Hours Total).

9. IB Contents (cont’d): 3. Theory of Knowledge (TOK) • The philosophy course that binds the IB programme. • Explores the nature of knowledge across disciplines (interdisciplinary). • Encouraging an appreciation of other cultural perspectives.

10. IB Assessment: • Diploma Programme assessment includes both final examinations and internal assessment undertaken by the teacher to IB criteria and then externally moderated by the IB. • IB Marks awarded for each course range from 1 (lowest) to 7 (highest). • The IB Diploma is awarded to students who gain at least 24 points. The maximum value for an IB Diploma is 45 points.

11. University recognition: The IB works closely with universities in all regions of the world to gain recognition for the IB diploma: • Direct online access for university admissions officers and government officials to syllabuses and recent examination papers • Recognition in over 100 countries • Recognition by over 2,000 universities • Some universities offer scholarships and advanced placement for IB students Students applying to a particular university can access their grades directly from the IB secure website.

12. Tangible & Intangible Benefits of IB • Tangible Benefits: • Smaller class sizes • Finish some diploma courses in grade 11 • Opportunity for advance credit at university • Opportunity to be considered for IB-specific scholarships • Intangible Benefits: • Improved skills in: • Problem solving, critical thinking, analysis, research, and writing • Enhanced time management skills • Able to question and to reflect on knowledge

13. Values:

14. Future citizens should have the following qualities: • Be curious and inquisitive to encourage exploration and growth. • Take responsibility for learning, be independent in one’s motivation to learn, and direct one’s own areas of growth. • Be able to adapt one’s learning modalities to accommodate learning in different environments, such as online learning. • Be lifelong learning throughout one’s life span to evolve with change and embrace new challenges. • Feel safe in learning and have the freedom to make mistakes. frominspiring education.

15. IB at LBP - Who should apply? • Do you plan to attend post secondary? • Do you enjoy academics? • Do you like team work? • Do you like a challenge? • Do you love to learn? If you answered yes to these questions, then you should consider IB.

16. Reality • The choice to take part in an IB programme must come from the student. The workload and pace are significantly greater than in a regular high school program, and the student needs to understand the implications of their choice. • Well-meaning parents can push students into program they do not want. Nonetheless, if a student is selected for the IB programme at LBP, we make a commitment to help the student complete the programme. • We are looking for students who will start and finish the IB programme at LBP.

17. The IB Experience • What will high school look like for you in IB? • Year 1 • Introductory Courses (Easing into IB Skills) • Introduction to High School Environment • Year 2 • Procrastination Not Recommended • Historical Investigation and Extended Essay Begins • Many Courses Begin IB Units and First IB Exams in May (1 AB Diploma) • Year 3 • TOK Starts, Complete HI and EE • Most Exams (IB and Alberta Diploma)

18. How and when to apply? • Applications are currently available online or from your Junior High. • Completed applications need to be submitted to IB Coordinator by January 11th, 2013. • Notification letters sent in mid to late February 2013.

19. LBP & IB Fees • There is a cost to taking IB exams, which at LBP, we distribute over the course of the three years. • The anticipated IB Fee for grade 10 students is $210.00 (September 2013). [Grade 11 – $420, Grade 12 – $520] • If the cost of the exams is a barrier to completing or taking IB courses, please inquire about the availability of bursaries to cover a percentage of the cost.

20. FAQs Can any student enrol in an IB programme? All grade 9 students who are in Area III can apply to enrol in the IB at LBP. How can my child enrol in the IB program? Application forms are available from guidance counselors, or online. How successful are IB students in applying to university? IB is an internationally recognised program, which helps when applying to universities outside of Canada. Most IB students are successful in applying to university. It is found that roughly 95% of IB students complete university.

21. FAQs Cont’d What are the benefits of IB in university? There are two main tangible benefits for university: advance credit ; IB specific scholarships. Although advance credit differs from one university to the next, some institutions will accept IB grades and allow a student to enrol directly in a higher level university course. How is IB different from the regular stream? The IB program is essentially the regular “-1” stream with some extra units and credits to cover the IB curriculum. The additional credits are the 35 courses, which include History, Chemistry and English.

22. FAQs Cont’d My child has a 90 percent average in junior high, will they do well in 1B? The truth of the matter is that all students transition into high school differently; thus, it is impossible to guarantee success. We can say that it is critically important that grade 10 students commit fully to their program of studies and maximize the supports and services that LBP has to offer. Is it true that IB Students do not have any “social lives”? No—with good time management and organization, IB students are able to participate in co and extracurricular activities. How many hours of sleep does an IB student get per night? Sometimes not enough—as with many adolescents—time management and focussed time on task are important to maximize rest 