Prva gimnazija Varaždin

IB SUBJECTS OFFERED AT PRVA GIMNAZIJA VARAŽDIN 2010-2011

CURRICULUM

 GROUP 1

 LANGUAGE A1

 All IB students are expected to study their own language. This course aims to develop student’s the skills in critical reading and textual analysis of literary works. Students have the opportunity to explore literary works from different cultures and times. The course will introduce students to ways of approaching and studying literature, leading to development of an understanding and appreciation of the relationships between different works. HL students will read fifteen works (SL 11 works), including novels, plays, poetry, and non-fiction prose. Class work will include writing assignments, presentations and class discussions.
There are three assessed components in Language A1: world literature essays (externally assessed, 20% of final grade), two internally assessed orals (30% of final grade), and written examination (commentary and essay) for 50%. Prva gimnazija Varaždin offers Croatian A1 and English A1.

GROUP 2

 ENGLISH B

 English B is a two-year course for students with some previous experience of learning the language. The course is taught at both higher and standard level. The main focus of this course is on language acquisition and the development of  four skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing), which will be achieved through the use of a wide range of texts or material (textbooks, the media, literary texts).
English B is assessed using both internal and external assessment. External assessment includes the final exam taken in May and it consisits of two papers generally written on successive days. Paper1 takes 90 minutes and includes questions based on three written texts and a short writing exercise as a response to the fourth written text.  Paper 2 also takes 90 minutes; students chose one writing task out of six.Internal assessment takes place during the final year of the course and includes interactive oral (three oral activities to be internally assessed by the teacher and externally moderated by the IBO)  and individual oral (recorded by the teacher and sent for moderation).

GERMAN B

German B is a two-year course for students with some previous experience of learning the language. The course is taught at both higher and standard level. The main focus of the German B course is on language acquisition and development in the four primary language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. These language skills will be developed through the study and use of a range of written and spoken material.
German B is assessed using both internal and external assessment.
External assessment includes the final exam taken in May and it consists of two papers. Paper 1 takes 90 minutes and includes questions based on three written texts and a short writing exercise as a response to the fourth written text. Paper 2 also takes 90 minutes; students chose one writing task out of four at standard level and six tasks at higher level.
Internal assessment takes place during the final year of the course and includes interactive oral (three oral activities to be internally assessed by the teacher and externally moderated by the IBO) and individual oral (recorded and assessed by  the teacher and sent for moderation.)

GROUP 3

HISTORY

The History course has several aims: 1) the acquisition and understanding of historical knowledge in broad and in depth,  and from different cultures; 2) developing appreciation and understanding of history as a discipline, including the nature and diversity of its sources, methods and interpretations; 3) international awareness and understanding of people living in a variety of places at different times; 4) a better understanding of the present through and understanding of the past; 5) an ability to use and communicate historical knowledge and understanding; 6) a lasting interest in history. The course will be taught at both standard and higher level. It consists of one prescribed subject, two topics from the 20th century world history, a historical investigation, and (for HL only) options from European regional history. Prescribed subject is Communism in crisis 1976-1989.
Topics from the 20th century world history are: Causes, practices and effects of wars, and The Cold War.
European regional history options include: The French Revolution and Napoleon—mid 18th century to 1815, Unification and consolidation of Germany and Italy 1815-90, and Imperial Russia, revolutions, emergence of Soviet State 1853-1924.
Assessment consists of an external and internal part. Internal assessment covers the historical investigation, which is a written account of 1,500-2,000 words. External assessment covers Paper 1 (a document-based paper set on the prescribed subject), Paper 2 (an essay paper based on topics) and Paper 3 (an essay paper based on options, for HL only).

BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT

Business and management is by a definition a rigorous and critical study of the ways in which individuals and groups interact in a dynamic business environment. It is an academic discipline that examines the process of making business decisions and the impact of these decisions on internal and external environments.
The purpose of this Course is for the students to acquire the ability to use the business terminology, principles, practice and skills, tools and techniques of analysis and most importantly to learn how to apply their knowledge on the actual business case. The students will study the impacts of the global economic changes and how the economic system functions in different countries. Emphasis is also placed on understanding technical innovation and day-to-day business functions of marketing, human resource management and finance. The aim is to provide the students with a critical understanding of complex business activities in an interdependent and multicultural world. The course will be taught at both higher and standard level.
There are five modules at the standard level: Business Organisations and Environment, Marketing, Human Resources, Operational Management, Accounting and Finance. These areas are all integrated to provide an overall picture of business principles and structure. Higher Level students study an additional unit: Business strategy.
Assessment consists of the external and internal part. There are two Papers in External assessment. Paper1 is based on a pre-issued case study, while Paper2 consists of responses to questions. Internal Assessment is a research project (max 2000 words) for the higher level and a written assignment (max 1,500 words) for the standard level.

GEOGRAPHY

Geography, through the study of the dynamic relationship between man and his natural and social environment, attempts to explain the spatial organisation of the world. Students are expected to develop high level of geographical thinking to contemporary world problems. This course should develop through a number of geographical skills which must be introduced throughout the syllabus as appropriate to the themes. Students are expected to develop a global perspective of the world, interrelationship between people, place and environment. Also students are expected to recognize the need for social justice, equality and respect for others and recognize the status of geography in analysing contemporary world issues. Students will be also expected to use and apply geographical terminology, demonstrate knowledge of relevant factual information, examples and case studies.
The internal assessment consists of a number of geographical projects and an interdisciplinary project (in cooperation with economy or history course). Non-IB monitoring consists of several written exams in duration of the course. Students will be expected to demonstrate, locate elements of the Earth’s surface, read, interpret graphs, analyse and produce maps, produce written material, demonstrate knowledge of spatial processes, patterns and interactions and be able to recognize change at various scales and locations.
Students will also be expected to do some field work and workshop and results could be publishing through some written material or presentation or even exhibition.

GROUP 4

BIOLOGY

Biology is the study of the living organisms. The IB Biology course will provide a broad understanding of core concepts in biology such as to prepare the student for the IB examinations and for successful academic careers in science at the university level. It is hoped that students will acquire a large body of facts, and at the same time develop a broad, general understanding and appreciation of the underlying biological concepts. Through studying the Biology programme students will also develop their ability to analyze and evaluate scientific information critically and to recognize the limitations of scientific knowledge.
Major areas covered include the following: cells and chemistry of life, genetics, human and health physiology, ecology and evolution. Two options must also be studied.
Standard level students study the same topics as those higher level, but higher level students also have to cover extension material on some topics. Fieldwork is an important part of the course and will be undertaken at various levels.
Assessment for the IB Diploma is based on a combination of external examinations, taken at the end of the course, and internal assessment carried out by the Biology teacher. The two means of assessment are weighted 76% and 24% respectively. The external exams consist of 3 papers, occupying a total of 3 hours at standard level and 4.5 hours at higher level. Internal assessment consists of an interdisciplinary science project, known as the Group 4 project, and a mixture of short and long term investigations that would be a part of the normal teaching process. These would be used to assess the students on 8 different assessment criteria.

CHEMISTRY

Chemical principles underpin the physical environment in which we live and all biological systems. The unifying principles of chemistry are developed in a logical way, with laboratory investigations providing a basis for this development. In this programme great emphasis will be placed on experimentation and observation to enhance and develop experimental and practical skills.

Major areas of study include the following: Quantitative chemistry, Atomic structure, Periodicity, Bonding, Energetic, Kinetics, Equilibrium, Acids and bases, Oxidation and reduction, Organic chemistry, Measurement and data processing. Both HL and SL students study two special topics (options) on practical applications of chemistry.

Grades for IB candidates will be determined by internal school assessment and external evaluation by the IB organization. The external exams consist of 3 papers, occupying a total of 3 hours at standard level and 4.5 hours at higher level. Internal assessment is based on practical work carried out and recorded by the students, including the Group 4 project. Ongoing assessment will be done in the form of unit exams, co-operative learning exercises, assignments, homework, notebook, labs, experiments, portfolio and scrapbook.

PHYSICS

Physics in the IB Diploma programme consists of standard level (SL) and high level(HL) . Both levels have 80 hours of common programme which includes: physical measurements, mechanics, thermal physics, oscillations and waves, electric currents, fields and forces, atomic and nuclear physics, energy, power and climate change. High level has 55 hours of additional topics: motions and fields, thermal physics, wave phenomena, electromagnetic induction, quantum physics and nuclear physics, digital technology. Both, students of SL and HL have to choose two options of the following: SL ( 15 hours) sight and wave phenomena, quantum and nuclear physics, digital technology, relativity and particle physics, astrophysics communications, electromagnetic waves, HL (22) astrophysics communications, electromagnetic waves, relativity, medical physics and particle physics.
Students of SL have to perform 30 hours of practical work while students of HL, 50 hours. Students attending physics participate with other students of a science subject in the Group Four Project. During the course students are often assessed in the form of IB exams. The mark at the final exam consists of 76% external evaluation (tests) and 24% internal evaluation ( practical work).
The Physics course prepares students very well for the university, where physics is highly presented (medicine, electro technical sciences and others).

GROUP 5

MATHEMATICS

Mathematics SL and HL are core IB subjects, in Group 5. The syllabuses for both of them are in a way similar but the approach is different. In addition to several more thorough by done chapters, HL (Higher level) has an additional Option topic where one mathematical discipline (out of four proposed by IB) is done at the level unusually high for secondary education and resulting in additional Paper 3 at the final exam. SL (Standard level) reaches for students oriented towards non-technical university education such as Economics or Medicine whilst HL prepares students for further education in natural and technical sciences. Both versions follow similar course requirements, but with different tests and portfolio tasks.
As a rule, GDC is used throughout the course and is an obligatory instrument at the final exam. Students are expected to learn how to use it and (it is encouraged in the general technology usage). Although not required, a personal computer is welcome to have not only some standard software, but also some additional one for mathematical purposes such as graphing.
HL relies on mathematical rigour i.e. proving of most statements, a welcome approach for further learning of mathematical subjects in various universities. In SL, the only basic proofs are required from students although during the course they are exposed to methods and logic of mathematical thinking. Both versions have many near real-life examples.
Mathematics encourages students to think in a systematic way, to organize data and methodically solve problems they are confronted with. These abilities are useful in every aspect of education and everyday life with mathematics being the most efficient tool to learn and develop them.

COMPUTER SCIENCE

The subject Computer Science explores the principles underlying problem-solving using computers as well as operation of computer systems. The emphasis should be on the use of logical approach and analytical thinking.
Students are expected to acquire mastery aspects of Java which are defined as the ability to use for some non-trivial purpose.
Standard level (SL) course focuses on fundamentals of computer systems, software development and the relationship between computing systems and society.
The higher level (HL) course includes all these elements with addition topics: computer mathematics and logic, advanced data structures and algorithms, further system fundamentals and file organization.
Assessment is divided into the external and internal part. The external part is conducted at the end of the programme of study and amounts to 65% and the internal part is carried out by teachers and amounts to 35%. The external assessment consists of Paper 1 and Paper 2. Paper 1 is an examination paper with compulsory sections and Paper 2 is an examination paper with compulsory sections and the third part is based on a case study. The internal part consists of the program dossier. The Program dossier is an individual well documented piece of work which is completed during the course in the Java programming language and is internally assessed by the teacher and externally moderated by the IBO.

GROUP 6

VISUAL ARTS

Visual arts is an elective, but not a compulsory subject in IB hexagon. Students thinking of choosing VA should be enthusiastic and keen on dealing with art, prepared to widen their perspectives, learn more and put a great deal of self effort into personal development in this field.
The Visual arts curriculum is based on Modern and contemporary art topics and problems, developed through the 19^th  and 20^th  century discourse. Certain stylistic and aesthetic issues are compulsory related with some earlier art periods like renaissance, baroque, classicism and others.
Visual arts syllabus suggests that all of curriculum issues should be considered and explored both in theoretical and practical way. An investigative approach to all topics is strongly recommended.
Assessment of the students’ development during a 2-year course is provided by an Investigation work book and studio work. In the final exam, the school performs the Internal assessment (30%), and IB (moderator, external examiner, senior IB examiner) carries on external assessment (70%).

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