IB Program This Week

Junior IBDP Candidates are working hard in the IB Core: Inquiry course to gain foundational knowledge about the requirements of the IB Program and to build student skills necessary for the program.

Students have engaged in some fun Theory of Knowledge (TOK) thought exercises. They are also off to a great start in Stage 1 of the Extended Essay (EE) process, thinking carefully about the group, subject, and topic they wish to write on for this major IB core component and securing an EE supervisor for support with the process. And each week, students are engaging in a new Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) experience together.

Check out the latest pictures to see IBDP in action!

The EE is not a formal part of any subject course beyond the first five weeks in the IB Core: Inquiry course in Term 1 and is written independently. However, Carly Wassel (EE Coordinator) works closely with students to ensure that they have ample support throughout this process, including a clear infrastructure of steps and deadlines to ensure successful completion of this major research essay. In addition to Carly, students work closely with an EE Supervisor of their choice.

• In the IB Core: Inquiry course, students are off to a great start in Stage 1 of the Extended Essay (EE) process, as they begin to carefully consider the group, subject, and topic they wish to write on for this major IB core component. The first task for work on their EE is to select an EE Supervisor and to confirm this with Carly Wassel (EE Coordinator) by Wednesday, September 24. After this, students will submit a Submission of Intent form, indicating the intended group, subject, and topic for their EE.

Through the IB Core: Inquiry course, students are introduced to CAS requirements, which are fulfilled as a natural part of being a GS student. Each arrangement will engage in some CAS experiences and complete some initial CAS reflections, which confirm and celebrate this “work” outside of the classroom.

• During the week of September 9, all IB Core: Inquiry arrangements completed a CAS experience in the Creativity strand. Arrangement 1 and Arrangement 4 both chose to create a mural drawing of George School by sectioning off a photo into a grid and assigning sections to individual artists. In other words, each mural was a truly collaborative effort from the class as a whole. Meanwhile, Arrangement 2 chose to complete 4-minute portraits of each other, challenging themselves to think with care about their own vulnerabilities as artists and with care about the feelings of their artistic subjects. By the end of the week, all students submitted their very first CAS reflection, which confirmed and celebrated this extracurricular work.

• During the week of September 16, all IB Core: Inquiry arrangements completed a CAS experience in the Activity strand. Arrangement 1 worked together to complete the low ropes course in the woods, Arrangement 2 played an energetic game of dodgeball, and Arrangement 4 played several spirited games of dodgeball both competitive and collaborative.

• During the week of September 23, all IB Core: Inquiry arrangements completed a CAS experience in the Service strand by creating cards for Cardz for Kidz, an “organization dedicated to uplifting spirits across the globe by delivering inspiring handmade cards.” Additionally, all Junior IBDP students submitted CAS Check (5) on Friday, September 27.

• This week, all arrangements will complete a final CAS experience in IB Core: Inquiry and continue to develop reflections for their CAS portfolios.

Students will be introduced to the TOK requirement and engage in some initial TOK thinking exercises in the IB Core: Inquiry course in Term 1. However, they will begin their formal exploration of TOK concepts later in the year.

The next required meeting, "EE Subject Guides," is on Wednesday, October 2. All IBDP meetings are posted to students’ Canvas IB tiles and to the George School calendar.

All Senior IBDP candidates should sign up for an individual meeting with Kim McGlynn (IB Coordinator) if they have not already done so. This formal check-in not only serves as one of three required CAS interactions but offers an opportunity to engage in some goal setting for the year and will ensure appropriate progress with IB core requirements. Specifically, students will discuss the current status of their Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) portfolio and confirm their CAS Project plans.

All students have completed their essays and this work is undergoing authentication and confirmation. Students contacted by Kim McGlynn (IB Coordinator) must respond immediately to ensure that they are on track with this core component, a requirement to earn the IB diploma.

Students must continue to complete and document their CAS work throughout the year. Adherence to deadlines, proper submission of reflections, and maintenance of their CAS portfolios is crucial. The first CAS check of the year is due Wednesday, September 25 and students are reminded to contact Kim McGlynn (IB Coordinator) to confirm their CAS Project plans.

Students have completed their TOK Exhibitions and will be working on their TOK Essays this fall.

All Senior IBDP students attended a cohort meeting, “IB Policies and Core,” on Monday, September 30. The next required meeting is the Senior Lunch on Monday, October 14. All IBDP meetings are posted to students’ Canvas IB tiles and to the George School calendar.