All SMA students take Pre-IB Inquiry Skills. Pre-IB and IB students follow a 4-year progression of courses but it is possible to enter IB in 10th or 11th grade, without having been in Pre-IB, with approval from the IB Coordinator.
IB courses are offered at both the Standard Level (SL) and Higher Level (HL). Standard Level courses may be one or two years in length requiring 150 hours of study. Higher Level courses are two years in length requiring 240 hours of study. The breadth, depth, and level of understanding expected at the higher level are greater as reflected in the course requirements and assessments.
IB students follow a 4-year progression of course. Evaluation. IB courses are evaluated through a combination of internal and external assessments. The internal assessment(s) is administered and scored by the classroom teacher and takes place sometime in the duration of the course. The external assessment is administered and scored by IB and takes place in May of the final year of the course as scheduled by IB. Both the internal and external assessments become part of the student’s overall score for the course. This score may earn a student college credit dependent upon their score and the policy of the college or university.
PRE-IB INQUIRY SKILLS - 1700360 Grades 9-10, Credit 1.0
This course is required for all 9th-grade students. This course is designed to prepare students for high school. It consists of the following: Students will explore the following areas of study: The IB Learner Profile, High School Survival and Resources, Learning Styles, Time Management, Study Skills, Organizational Skills, Test-taking Skills, Cooperative Learning Skills, How to Formulate Questions, Critical Thinking and Problem Solving, Writing Skills and Styles, Communication Skills and Safety, Good Academic Practices, The Research Process (developing and articulating research questions and using MLA format), and International-mindedness
For IB DP students: Grades 11-12 THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE (ToK) 0900800/0900810
As part of the core of the Diploma Program, TOK explores critical thinking and inquiring into how we know what we do and provides coherence to the IB Program. The course will span the two years of the program by being taught during the spring semester of the student’s junior year and the fall semester of the student’s senior year. Students will be encouraged to analyze statements about knowledge and open questions about knowledge. These will be distinguished between shared knowledge and personal knowledge. Additionally, the course will study eight ways of knowing and eight areas of knowledge. The goal is for students to become aware of their own perspectives and those of the groups with whom they share knowledge. In short, this is a course in knowing about knowing.
GROUP1 (ENGLISH)
IB LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE HL – 2 Years 1005850/1005856
The aim of this course is to develop “critical literacy” in students and is composed of four parts: two of which focus on language and two on literature. Important to the study of both are the contexts in which the texts are constructed; time, place, purpose, etc. Students are encouraged to question the meaning of language and text, both literary and non-literary, through textual analysis. This analysis will consider the texts as they stand alone, as well as, in relation to the culture from which they come. English language skills will be developed by examining how formal elements of language are utilized to create meaning both by the author and the reader, as well as, to construct argument and rhetoric. A wide range of texts will be examined including social media, texting, news reporting, political campaigns, graffiti, video games, and works of literature both American and works in translation. IB English Language and Literature requires a variety of internal and external written and oral assessments which will begin in the junior year and conclude during the senior year. A student may opt to take the AP Language and Composition exam at the end of the junior year as well. The IB exam in Language and Literature will take place at the end of senior year. The IB or AP exams may earn a student college credit dependent upon their score and the policy of the college or university.
GROUP 2 (World Language)
IB SPANISH - 0708830/0708840, IB CHINESE - 0711836/0711820 SL/HL – 2 Years Prerequisite: Spanish 2 or Chinese 2 or approval by IB coordinator
The continuing development of more sophisticated language skills and the acquisition will be the focus of these courses. Skills will emphasize comprehension and communication of language in oral and written form. Interactions will have an expectation of appropriate register and consideration of audience and purpose with fluency. Material for the study will be chosen from a range of written and spoken exercises including everyday conversations, authentic literary texts, social media, and pop culture. Students at both the SL and HL levels will be expected to develop their intercultural understanding, comprehend and use the language in various contexts and for varying purposes, acquire an appreciation of the perspectives of people from other cultures, and have the ability to recognize the relationship between the language and the culture from which it comes. Students who study at the HL level will engage with two full works of literature in the language of study. IB Spanish and Chinese require a variety of internal and external written and oral assessments which will begin in the junior year and conclude during the senior year. Students will be required to take the IB exam in their language of study at the end of senior year. At the end of senior year, a student may opt to take the AP exam in their language of study as well. The IB or AP exams may earn a student college credit dependent upon their score and the policy of the college or university.
GROUP 3 (SOCIAL SCIENCES)
IB HISTORY OF AMERICAS (HOA) - 2100800 HL – 2 Years Prerequisite: AP Human Geography or AP World History or approval by IB coordinator.
Students in this course will explore the past and construct meaning through the use of primary and secondary source documents and critical evaluation of data. They will develop a sense of historiography and an appreciation for the way in which the perception of history changes with the emergence of new evidence and perspectives. The first year of the course will focus on the History of the Americas with its main emphasis on United States history. An in-depth study will take place on several key periods since our nation’s birth. The second year of the course will hone in on the 20th century and the events that have shaped our world today, again, with special emphasis placed on key topics. It is a goal of the course that students emerge with the understanding that we can only comprehend and successfully navigate the time we live in by reflecting upon the past. IB History of the Americas requires a variety of internal and external written assessments which will begin in the junior year and conclude during the senior year. Students may opt to take the AP Exam in United States History. Students are required to take the IB exam at the end of senior year. The IB or AP exams may earn a student college credit dependent upon their score and the policy of the college or university.
IB PSYCHOLOGY - 2107820 HL or SL - 2 Years
Students in this course will examine the interaction of biological, cognitive and sociocultural influences on human behavior, individuals and societies. Students undertaking the course can expect to develop an understanding of how psychological knowledge is generated, developed and applied. This will allow them to have a greater understanding of themselves and appreciate the diversity of human behavior. The holistic approach reflected in the curriculum, which sees biological, cognitive and sociocultural analysis being taught in an integrated way ensures that students are able to develop an understanding of what all humans share, as well as the immense diversity of influences on human behavior and mental processes. The ethical concerns raised by the methodology and application of psychological research are also key considerations of the IB psychology course. IB Psychology requires a variety of internal and external written assessments which will begin in the junior year and conclude during the senior year. Students may opt to take the AP Exam in Psychology. Students are required to take the IB exam at the end of senior year. The IB or AP exams may earn a student college credit dependent upon their score and the policy of the college or university.
GROUP 4 (Experimental Sciences)
IB BIOLOGY - 2000805 HL or SL - 2 Years Prerequisite: Score of 3 or higher on the ELA/FSA, and/or prior approval by the Department Chair and IB Coordinator
This course provides students with an in-depth study of biological concepts and principles. IB-SL Biology includes biochemistry, cell biology, classic genetics, molecular genetics, biotechnology, and evolution. The course focuses on the structure and function of living organisms and the interactions between organisms and their environment. It includes an in-depth study of plants and animals, including evolutionary relationships, anatomy and physiology, and the principles of ecology. There is a strong component emphasizing the process of scientific inquiry. Students will be capable of taking the IB SL exam in the spring of their junior or senior year.
IB CHEMISTRY - 2003810 SL – 2 Years Prerequisites: Biology and/or Chemistry.
This course explores the relationship between theory and experimentation with which students will engage in this course. It is the foundation for both the physical environment and biological systems. Students will develop practical skills and techniques and increase their use of math to engage with an experiment based, inquiry approach including labs and practical activities. An integrated project involving the other experimental sciences of Physics and Biology and an independent investigation will be part of the learning process as well. Topics for study include Stoichiometric relationships, atomic structure, periodicity, chemical bonding and structure, energetics/thermochemistry, chemical kinetics, equilibrium, acids and bases, redox processes, organic chemistry, and measurement and data processing. IB Chemistry requires a variety of internal and external assessments throughout the year. Students will be required to take the IB exam at the end of the year and may opt to take the AP Exam in Chemistry as well. The IB or AP exams may earn a student college credit dependent upon their score and the policy of the college or university.
IB COMPUTER SCIENCE - 0200800 HL - 2 Years Prerequisite: Score of 3 or higher on the ELA/FSA, and/or prior approval by the Department Chair and IB Coordinator
This course is normally taken over two years (unless otherwise approved by the teacher). Basic topics include system fundamentals, planning, computer organization, hardware, networks, computational thinking, problem-solving and programming. Advanced topics include abstract data structures, resource management, and control systems. Students learn about object-oriented programming using the Java programming language. Students complete a programming project and a case study. This course may be taken in preparation for the International Baccalaureate Computer Science examination.
IB Design Technology - 2003862 SL - 1 Year
Design technology aims to develop internationally-minded people whose enhanced understanding of design and the technological world can facilitate our shared guardianship of the planet and create a better world. It focuses on analysis, design development, synthesis, and evaluation. The creative tension between theory and practice is what characterizes design technology within the DP sciences subject group. Inquiry and problem-solving are at the heart of the subject. DP design technology requires the use of the DP design cycle as a tool, which provides the methodology used to structure the inquiry and analysis of problems, the development of feasible solutions, and the testing and evaluation of the solution. In Diploma Programme design technology, a solution can be defined as a model, prototype, product or system that students have developed independently. DP design technology achieves a high level of design literacy by enabling students to develop critical-thinking and design skills, which they can apply in a practical context. While designing may take various forms, it will involve the selective application of knowledge within an ethical framework. A well-planned design program enables students to develop not only practical skills but also strategies for creative and critical thinking. Both science and technology have a fundamental relationship with design. Technology preceded science, but now most technological developments are based on scientific understanding. Traditional technology comprised useful artifacts often with little understanding of the science underpinning their production and use. In contrast, modern technology involves the application of scientific discoveries to produce useful artifacts. The application of scientific discovery to solve a problem enables designers to create new technologies and these new technologies, in turn, can impact the rate of scientific discovery. The aim of the DP design technology course is to foster skill development in students required to use new and existing technologies to create new products, services, and systems.
IB MARINE SCIENCE - 2002810 SL 1 Year Prerequisite: Score of 3 or higher on the ELA/FSA, and/or prior approval by the Department Chair and IB Coordinator
IB Marine Science is a capstone science course - incorporating elements of biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Students will be expected to understand the role of marine science in today’s world including the current applications to the areas of medicine, biodiversity, conservation, climate change, environment and the significance of these developments. This course will incorporate fieldwork, trips to local laboratories, and video conferencing with experts in the field when available.
GROUP 5 (MATH) IB
IB MATHEMATICS: ANALYSIS and APPROACHES SL 2 Years Prerequisites: Cadets must demonstrate proficiency in Algebra 2 skills. Teacher recommendation and IB Coordinator approval required.
The IB Mathematics Analysis and Approaches SL (standard level) and HL (high level) course is intended for students who wish to pursue studies in mathematics at university or subjects that have a large mathematical content; it is for students who enjoy developing mathematical arguments, problem-solving and exploring real and abstract applications, with and without technology. SL (standard level) requires strong Algebra 2 skills. HL (high level) requires very strong Algebra 2 skills. Students interested in social sciences, natural sciences, business psychology and design should take this course. Students unsure of their major in college should take the course that interests them, is both challenging to them personally and in which they can perform well.
IB MATHEMATICS: APPLICATIONS and INTERPRETATION SL 2 Years Prerequisites: Cadets must demonstrate proficiency in Algebra 1 skills. Teacher recommendation and IB Coordinator approval required.
The IB Mathematics Applications and Interpretation SL (standard level)and HL (high level) course is designed for students who enjoy describing the real world and solving practical problems using mathematics, those who are interested in harnessing the power of technology alongside exploring mathematical models and enjoy the more practical side of mathematics. This course includes statistics. It is intended to meet the needs of students whose interest in mathematics is more practical. SL (standard level) requires strong Algebra 1 skills. HL (high level) requires strong Algebra 2 skills. Students interested in engineering, physical sciences, and economics should take this course. Students unsure of their major in college should take the course that interests them, is both challenging to them personally and in which they can perform well.
GROUP 6 (THE ARTS)
IB FILM STUDIES - 017474 HL - 2 years
The creation, presentation and study of film requires courage, passion and curiosity: courage to create individually and as part of a team, to explore ideas through action and harness the imagination, and to experiment; passion to communicate and to act communally, and to research and formulate ideas eloquently; curiosity about self and others and the world, about different traditions, techniques and knowledge, about the past and the future, and about the limitless possibilities of human expression through the art form. At the core of the IB film course lies a concern with clarity of understanding, critical thinking, reflective analysis, effective involvement and imaginative synthesis that is achieved through practical engagement in the art and craft of film. An HL student should display a continuous resolve of personal challenge and a sustained engagement with the ideas, practices and concepts encountered within the course over the extended learning time available. An HL student has extra time for these encounters, extra time to reflect and to record evidence of growth. It is understood that ensuing developments may be only partially evident within the framework of the assessment process. IB Film requires a variety of internal and external assessments throughout the year. Students will be required to take the IB exam at the end of the year the senior year. The IB may earn a student college credit dependent upon their score and the policy of the college or university. *Some of the language used in these course descriptions was taken from the official guide for those courses published by the International Baccalaureate Organization.
IB MUSIC - 1300818 SL - 2 years
In this course at SMA, students that are in drumline will be in IB drumline. Students will learn to hear the relationships of the pitch in sound, pattern in rhythm and unfolding sonic structures. Musical perception is required as an area of study and will investigate musical links. Students will choose to exhibit their learning through the creation of music, solo performance, or group performance. Music that is familiar and unfamiliar from a range of times, places, and cultures will also be part of the course. IB Music requires a variety of internal and external assessments throughout the year. Students will be required to complete a written assessment as well as creating and performance component. The IB assessments may earn a student college credit dependent upon their score and the policy of the college or university.
