Boca Raton Community High School Welcomes You! Brenna Merrill Brenna.merrill@palmbeachschools.org AICE General Paper 8004

Who is Miss Merrill? Bachelor of Arts in Exceptional Student Education Florida Atlantic University, 2015 ESOL Endorsement Palm Beach County Beginning Teacher of the Year; Finalist 2016 Boys Head Cross Country Coach Sponsor, Class of 2019 Triathlete & Marathoner

AICE Program at a Glance AICE = Advanced International Certificate of Education Cambridge University GP = General Paper In short, the “paper,” or essay, is about “general” topics that span the curriculum, from science and math, to literature and the arts.

Take a moment to observe this sample GP Test from 2014 Each essay should be 500–600 words long. Use examples to support your arguments. Section 1 ‘Criticizing your own country is important for its well-being.’ How far do you agree? ‘High quality goods and services are only available to the privileged few.’ Is this true in your opinion? ‘Those who don’t work contribute nothing to society.’ Discuss. To what extent will the world benefit from the rise of China? Section 2 ‘Modern technology imprisons the human spirit.’ How much truth is there in this view? Some people would argue that those who smoke, drink alcohol or are obese should not have priority medical treatment. What is your view? Travel broadens the mind.’ How far is this true? Assess the usefulness of statistics in people’s lives. Section 3 Language is constantly changing. Should we be concerned about this? ‘There is no beauty in modern art.’ Discuss with reference to specific examples. Many people are dedicated followers of fashion. How far are health and happiness dependent on image? To what extent is the phenomenon of celebrity modern? Take a moment to observe this sample GP Test from 2014 Knowing what to expect is half the battle!

General Paper: A Closer Look A written examination; 2 essays in 2 hours. Administered in May/June and **October/November Candidates must choose 2 questions, each from 2 different sections. As of FY2014: The General Paper Exam will be divided into three sections, with four prompt options in each, for a total of 12. Prior to FY2014, there were five prompts in each section for a total of 15

AICE Diploma as of June 2017 Group 2: Languages To obtain an AICE Diploma, you must accumulate 7 credits by passing AS Global Perspectives and at least one exam from three different subject groups (within 25 months). Group 4 is optional with a maximum of two credits: Group 1: Math and Sciences Group 2: Languages Group 3: Arts & Humanities Group 4: (optional) Interdisciplinary * Biology * Chemistry * Environmental Management * Marine Science * Mathematics * Psychology * English Language * French * Spanish * Portuguese * Art and Design * Business Studies * Classical Studies * Divinity * History * Media Studies * Music * Sociology *Travel & Tourism *Global Perspectives (A level – Research project) *Thinking Skills *General Paper AS Global Perspectives ~ Compulsory: one credit

Visit the blog for more info, practice tests and FAQs! What about FSA? The Florida Standards Assessment, or FSA, is a computer-based test in both English Language Arts (Reading and Writing Component) and Mathematics (Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Geometry). Students will take the test in 9th grade and receive a score based on levels 1 through 5, where level 3 is identified as a passing score. Students will also take the test again in 10th grade, regardless of scores in 9th grade, where a level 3 is again considered passing. Passing the FSA is a graduation requirement for students, and so far, Bobcats are some of the top performers on the test! The FSA Writing Test is 120 minutes, while the FSA Reading Test is 90 minutes. The FSA is administered during a designated window from the end of February to the end of May 2017 Students will experience plenty of practice tests throughout the year. Visit the blog for more info, practice tests and FAQs!

Preparing Students for both GP and FSA While your child is enrolled in AICE General Paper this year as a freshman, you may be thinking….how will they be prepared to pass the FSA?? Well, that’s where the we the teachers have your child’s back. All schools are required to teach the Florida Standards, and as teachers, we seamlessly weave in all students will need to know to rock these tests! While we may be preparing for the AICE General Paper test by brainstorming a debate about the upcoming election or conducting a review on the latest news story to rock the headlines for an in-class test, we will be simultaneously gearing up for the skills required on the FSA. Most of our daily life in class will not have a “FSA label” slapped across the top of the paper, but almost everything we do is aligned with what the FSA will test.

Let’s Talk Miss Merrill’s Grading Policy Course Communication Digital Binder Summer Reading Project

I look forward to working with you and your child this year! Questions for me?! Contact me ANYTIME! Brenna.merrill@palmbeachschools.org www.merrillwrites.com I look forward to working with you and your child this year!