Group+3+IB+Courses+at+CA

=The Learner Profile and IB Group 3 Courses at CA = = = The aim of all IB programmes is to develop internationally minded people who, recognizing their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet, help to create a better and more peaceful world.

IB learners strive to be: In so doing, they acquire in-depth knowledge and develop understanding across a broad and balanced range of disciplines. in more than one language and in a variety of modes of communication. They work effectively and willingly in collaboration with others. respect for the dignity of the individual, groups and communities. They take responsibility for their own actions and the consequences that accompany them. are open to the perspectives, values and traditions of other individuals and communities. They are accustomed to seeking and evaluating a range of points of view, and are willing to grow from the experience. others. They have a personal commitment to service, and act to make a positive difference to the lives of others and to the environment.
 * Inquirers **They develop their natural curiosity. They acquire the skills necessary to conduct inquiry and research and show independence in learning//.// They actively enjoy learning and this love of learning will be sustained throughout their lives.
 * Knowledgeable **They explore concepts, ideas and issues that have local and global significance.
 * Thinkers **They exercise initiative in applying thinking skills critically and creatively to recognize and approach complex problems, and make reasoned, ethical decisions.
 * Communicators **They understand and express ideas and information confidently and creatively
 * Principled **They act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness, justice and
 * Open-minded **They understand and appreciate their own cultures and personal histories, and
 * Caring **They show empathy, compassion and respect towards the needs and feelings of
 * <span style="color: #001ac5; font-family: MyriadPro-Regular; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: MyriadPro-Regular;">Risk-takers **<span style="color: black; font-family: MyriadPro-Regular; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: MyriadPro-Regular;">They approach unfamiliar situations and uncertainty with courage and forethought, and have the independence of spirit to explore new roles, ideas and strategies. They are brave and articulate in defending their beliefs.
 * <span style="color: #001ac5; font-family: MyriadPro-Regular; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: MyriadPro-Regular;">Balanced **<span style="color: black; font-family: MyriadPro-Regular; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: MyriadPro-Regular;">They understand the importance of intellectual, physical and emotional balance to achieve personal well-being for themselves and others.
 * <span style="color: #001ac5; font-family: MyriadPro-Regular; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: MyriadPro-Regular;">Reflective **<span style="color: black; font-family: MyriadPro-Regular; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: MyriadPro-Regular;">They give thoughtful consideration to their own learning and experience. They are able to assess and understand their strengths and limitations in order to support their learning and personal development.

In particular IB Learners at CA strive to:

= = =Assessment in the IB Group 3 Course at CA= __Rationale__ Assessment in IB History, Geography and Economics aims to build our understanding of your learning. This will enable your teacher to assist you master the concepts and theories associated with the course and identify what you need to do to progress further. On your side, you will be better able to see how your knowledge and skills are developing and what you need to focus on so that you can continue to improve. In this light your teacher hopes that you see each assessment task as an opportunity to know yourself better as a learner and build your confidence in the course.
 * <span style="font-family: Symbol,helvetica,sans-serif;">R ead and study their text
 * Read widely outside the text
 * Periodically reflect on their progress
 * Communicate to classmates and a wider audience (Class discussions, seminars, Blog postings, VoiceThread)
 * Show open-mindedness and respect in any communication (Class discussions, seminars, teacher conferences, comments on classmates' blogs and active listening in class)
 * Pose questions and research issues of importance (Blog posts)
 * Be open-minded when considering alternative explanations and points of view

__Principles__ 1. Formative and Summative Assessment A clear distinction will be made between formative and summative assessment.

//Formative assessment// provides you with a chance to learn skills, make mistakes, take risks and improve your performance over time in the knowledge that these individual results will not be directly counted towards your final semester grade though they will appear in Power School. Formative Assessment can included items such as quizzes, practice essays and data responses, document based questions, blog posts, voicethread presentations, wiki work and oral assessments including presentations and seminars.

//Summative assessment// will be fewer in number and counted in your final semester grade. They will be closely modeled on the assessment mandated by IB and graded in accordance with IB criteria. These grades will be entered into Power School and count towards your semester grade. These assessment items will help you gauge your progress towards the IB end of course examination. The Social Studies Department's hope is that you can undertake these exacting exams with the confidence that is built on your success throughout the two-year course.

2. Proficiency Learning A proficiency principle will be applied. If you receive a grade under 80%, you will have the opportunity to retake the test to enable you to reach 80%. This will apply to all summative tasks except the end of year 11 exam and the mock exams taken before May of your second year. You will however have to "earn" the right to retake a test by showing concrete evidence of study before you sit the retake test.

3. Work and Study Habits Your work ethic and your participation in all aspects of the course is an essential ingredient of your success and you will have a number of opportunities to reflect on your progress. We hope you understand that the responsibility to learn rests with you and that your decisions about learning have consequences. Your teacher will also provide feedback and share this with you and your parents in the form of a comment once per semester. Possible rubric for comments. The usual late policy of the Social Studies Department will apply. If a summative assessment item is scheduled in advance and you attend a school sponsored event over the weekend prior to that task you must complete the task on your return to school. Extensions will not be given.

4. Conferences The Social Studies Department believes in the power of regular student conferences that focus on particular items of assessment or more general progress in the course. We hope that you will take advantages of this opportunity even if we need to schedule conferences outside of class time.

__Assessment Profile__ This will differ according to the demands of each of the Group 3 subjects. Example: //HL Economics Year 1 and HL and SL Economics Year 2// 1. Knowledge and Data Response (60%) You will write at least two data responses and two extended responses per unit of the course (HL students will also complete short writing response tasks) as well as the end of year exam. They will be graded using IB criteria but adjusted to better reflect a grading scale that uses the A-D system. 2. Learning and Reflection Portfolio (20%) You will keep a written or electronic portfolio of your formative work which could include blog posts, oral participation and presentations, quizzes and tests, homework activities or any formative writing that demonstrates your learning within the course and reflections on your progress. This will be presented in a conference held once per semester and receive a grade. The focus of the conference is you being able to provide concrete examples that show your progress towards the aims and objectives of the IB Economic Course:

The aims of the **economics** course at higher level and standard level are to: • provide students with a core knowledge of economics • encourage students to think critically about economics • promote an awareness and understanding of internationalism in economics • encourage students' development as independent learners • enable students to distinguish between positive and normative economics • enable students to recognize their own tendencies for bias.

Objectives Having followed the Diploma Programme course in economics, candidates will be expected to: 1. have an understanding and knowledge of economic concepts and theories 2. apply economic theory to a range of circumstances and a variety of situations 3. analyse information through the use of economic concepts and theories 4. evaluate concepts and theories from different economic perspectives.

End of Year Exam and Mock Exam (20%)

You will also complete the Internal Assessment as required by IB Economics.