1. Parent Evening 6 November 2008 ISN Middle School

2. Agenda  Introduction by Director  Welcome by PTA President – Dr Kress  IB Diploma  IGCSE  MS 1 – 3 Curriculum Structure  Question and answer session

3. Why the IB? Quality education for a better world The International Baccalaureate (IB) offers high quality programmes of international education to a worldwide community of schools. There are more than 663,000 IB students at 2,418 schools in 131 countries.

4. Why the IB?  The understanding of universal concepts  The acquisition of knowledge and skills  The development of positive attitudes  Empowering students to take meaningful action

5. IB Diploma Schools (Germany)  There are 33 IB World Schools in Germany offering one or more of the three IB programmes.  12 schools offer the PYP : (Primary Years)  7 schools offer the MYP: (Middle Years)  31 schools offer the DP : (Diploma Program).  The first school was authorized in 1971.

6. IB Diploma – University acceptance  USA – IB Dip students receive credit for relevant IB courses towards their university/college degree.  UK – all univerities including Oxford and Cambridge acccept IB Diploma.  France - 17 universities, including Europe‘s top business schools  Switzerland – 17 universities  15 Universities accept IB Diploma in Germany.  Ruprechts Karls Universität (Heidelburg)  Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universitat (Frankfurt)

7. IB Diploma Curriculum Structure

8. IB Diploma  3 HL subjects, 3 SL subjects  HL - 240 hours of instruction time  SL – 150 hours of instruction time  TOK (100 hours) and CAS meetings scheduled on timetable  Coaching with extended essay supervisor scheduled on timetable

9. IB Diploma Authorisation Update  Jacques attended IB workshop for IB Diploma coordinators – July 2007  Contacted IBAEM office in June 2008  Application form A – 1 March 2009  IB coordinator recruited – Nicolas  All IB mentors attend IBO workshops in their areas of expertise - 2009  Application form B – 1 March 2010  Authorisation visit – May/June 2010

10. Why Cambridge IGCSE?  World‘s most popular international qualification for 14 – 16 year olds  Reputation for high educational standards accross the world  6,000 accredited Cambridge centres worldwide  Excellent preparation for IB Diploma years  Recognised by universities and employers worldwide.

11. Cambridge IGCSE at ISN  LPs choose minimum 6 subjects  At least 2 languages (First, second or foreign)  Maths and Combined Science compulsory  Choose 2 – 5 other subjects in preparation for IB Diploma  Note that Business Studies is not recognised in Germany as a valid Social Science subject for university entry.

12. MS 1 – 3 Curriculum  Multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approach.  Subjects studied through a unit of inquiry approach.  LPs choose autonomous projects where and when applicable  Write research essays preparing them for IB Diploma and university study

13. Research essay….  Learn to identify a problem.  Formulate a research question and hypothesis.  Write a statement of intent  Research and select appropriate information.  Analyse and evaluate information  Use relevant information to solve or justify their research question

14. Homework and assessment policy  Assessment is continuous  Assessments are varied  Regular timed assessments  Homework may or may not be given depending on class needs  LP spend 30 minutes to 1 hour on homework  Time management and organisational skills are important

15. Questions and feedback…