IBDP planning guide 2018/2019East Campus

1 IBDP planning guide

This guide is designed for students and parents to help in the transition to UWCSEA East IB programme.

All available subjects that can be studied at UWCSEA East are here and Heads of Departments and teachers of these subjects have made suggestions about possible books, readings, podcasts, videos, questions to ask yourself etc, that may help in preparations for the first term and beyond. To be successful in the IB programme It is very important that students develop independent study habits and reading skills. There is also significant research that informs us about the difference in students academic achievements between those who do and those who don’t read over long breaks between grades. In addition, many of these links provided allow students to immerse themselves in and connect to the worlds and ideas created and described by others, leading to a development of multiple perspectives. On top of this, students will remain informed of important events and

OVERVIEW OF THE IB DIPLOMA PROGRAMME

issues within their chosen subjects.

You will notice that none of the subject areas have given out the curriculum or syllabus lists for the year. There will be more than enough time to focus on this during term time. The summer prior to Grade 11 is for preparation, reflection, resting and having a good time before school starts.

Hopefully there is something in these pages that peak interest but remember these are only suggestions. The most important thing is to come to school in August refreshed, prepared and excited about seeing old friends and/or meeting new ones.

What is the IB Diploma Programme? The IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) is designed as an academically challenging and balanced programme of education with final examinations that prepares students, normally aged 16 to 19, for success at university and life beyond.

A brief history of the IB Diploma Programme:The IB Diploma Programme was established in 1968 to provide an international education that would enable young people to better understand and manage the complexities of our world, and to provide them with the skills and attitudes to take action to improve it. Such an education was rooted in the more progressive educational thinking of the time but also in the belief that the world could be made better through an education that focused on concepts, ideas and issues that crossed disciplinary, cultural, national and geographical boundaries.

The aim of the IBDP is to develop internationally-minded people who, recognising their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet, help to create a better and more peaceful world.

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CAS: Creativity, Activity, ServiceThe CAS core enables students to enhance their personal and interpersonal development through experiential learning. At the same time, it provides an important counterbalance to the academic pressures of the rest of the IBDP. A good CAS programme should be both challenging and enjoyable, a personal journey of self-discovery. For many students, CAS experiences include experiences that are profound and life-changing. For student development to occur, CAS should involve real and purposeful experiences, personal challenge, thoughtful consideration, and critical reflection. This is supported by your advisor who will check in with you at three key points over the 18 months.

In August you will plan a series of experiences in clubs, Sports, performances, Service, and a project that will challenge and develop you individually and collaboratively.

You will be able to meet all of the IB guidelines though the different opportunities available in the Activities and Service programmes at UWCSEA East combined with Project Week. Project Week, a compulsory and exciting part of our learning programme, is arranged around the CAS elements of creativity, activity and service . Many students visit existing Global Concerns NGO partners that we have in school combined with some form of physically challenging activity.

Consider over the break the following questions to ask yourself:• What are my top 3 qualities? What

are my top 3 skills? Which one skill and quality do I want to develop?

• What do I care about? (specific human needs, environment, nurturing others)

• What does my community need? (Grade level, school, local, global – this may be needed when you consider an activity as well as a Service or GC)

• How can I make a difference? (to a team, NGO, environment)

• How can I make a change in myself? (organisation, self-awareness, communicator)

ToK: Theory of KnowledgeToK encourages critical thinking about knowledge itself, to try to help young people make sense of what they encounter. Its core content is questions like these: What counts as knowledge? How does it grow? What are its limits? Who owns knowledge? What is the value of knowledge? What are the implications of having, or not having, knowledge?

You are not expected to have a background in ToK before school starts. What you need to be able to do is to take an interest in things you take for granted and think about things in a new way.

TED.com is a great place to explore when you have some free time. There are lots of topics and interesting presentations. There are some TED Talks that challenge some ideas about what seems obvious, and why we hold certain beliefs. You could start by watching (but don’t limit yourself to): Michael Shermer, Beau Lotto and Dan Ariely.

For books, the novel Sophie’s World by Jostein Gaarder is a great introduction to philosophy (the book is available electronically and in paperback). You can also check out Stephen Law’s The Philosophy Files.

EE: the Extended EssayThe Extended Essay is an in-depth study of a focused topic chosen by you. It is intended to promote high-level research and writing skills, intellectual discovery and creativity. It provides students with an opportunity to engage in personal research in a topic of their own choice, under the guidance of a supervisor (a teacher in the school).

This research leads to a major piece of formally presented, structured writing in which ideas and findings are communicated in a reasoned and coherent manner. After the completion of the written essay, a short concluding interview, or viva voce, is conducted with the supervisor.

There is no summer work that needs to be done with regard to the Extended Essay. Just think about areas you are passionate about.

You could also follow:

Twitter: @ExtendingEast Blog: www.extendingeast.blog

Creativity

ActivityService

Other meaningful experiences

THE IB CORE REQUIREMENTS

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Group 1: Studies in Language and LiteratureChinese A: LiteratureReading: 阅读并做读书笔记《文学欣赏》（第二版）胡山林 (务必在开课前熟读！)

《大淖记事》汪曾祺短篇小说精选

《随遇而安》汪曾祺散文精选

《目送》 龙应台散文精选

《透明的哀伤》席慕容散文精选

《海明威短篇小说精选》

Viewing关注文学、文化、社会、历史、哲学专栏

http://open.163.com/ 网易公开课

https://www.coursera.org/course/chinesehumanities 中国人文开放课程

http://ocw.aca.ntu.edu.tw/ntu-ocw/index.php/ocw/cou/100S219 台大开放课程

English A SL and HLEmbarking on a range of reading for IBDP English AWhat kind of reading should I do?Here is a core reading list, which will hopefully encourage you to read widely and help you to learn more about yourself as an individual. Additionally, included in this list is an expansive view of classic ‘stories’ from around the world and different time periods. English A: Literature and Language and Literature students, as part of your summer reading we expect you to read: two novels, plus a play or collection of poetry / short stories, or a non-fiction work (e.g., travel writing, biography, essays plus a weekly reading weekly reading of one blog, one journalistic magazine and one reputable national newspaper. Regular reading of such publications is crucial to success of these courses. We’d also like you to venture into other types of texts: speeches, adverts, reviews, films, songs, photographs—anything that communicates meaning!

If you already have a personal reading list for the break then you can incorporate these into your summer reading and find interesting connections between them. Even better would be if you could bring in works related to subjects you feel particularly passionate about.

How should I record my reading experiences?You should keep a record of what you’ve read (see example) and be prepared to share your reading experience. Highlight or bookmark quotations that resonate with you. Over the two years of the course you will keep a record of your personal and critical responses to text.

What will I do with my reading record?Be prepared to share your reading journey with your new teacher and classmates in August. Details about how you’ll present your findings will be provided once school has started.

We hope you “Read. Read, Read.” – William Faulkner (American novelist, screenplay writer and essayist)

French A SL and HLPréparation au cours de français A• Pour travailler l’orthographe et

la grammaire, utiliser les “cahiers d’été” de Français, niveau Collège, plusieurs éditions (Hachette, Bordas, Hatier, Bescherelle, etc …).

• Pour améliorer l’orthographe, faire également des dictées en ligne, sur le site http://www.bescherelle.com/dictees.php, aux niveaux 4ème et 3ème. On peut y faire des dictées classiques ainsi que des dictées à trous (plus faciles).

• Afin d’élargir la compétence lexicale et la culture littéraire, lire au moins trois des oeuvres conseillées ci-dessous, écrire des fiches de lecture et faire des travaux sur les champs lexicaux.

• Enfin, pour apprendre à organiser ses idées et améliorer la compétence écrite, écrire le résumé de l’oeuvre (30 lignes) ainsi qu’ un paragraphe pour exprimer son opinion (arguments + exemples).

ACADEMIC SUBJECT OPTIONS

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• Si l’élève est très motivé, lire une oeuvre par semaine, sinon deux oeuvres par mois. Choisir au moins un roman, une dizaine de poèmes extraits d’ un receuil et une pièce de théâtre.

Oeuvres conseillées: – L’ingénu (conte philosophique de Voltaire, 18ème siècle)

– La mort du roi Tsongor (conte philosophique de Laurent Gaudé, 20ème siècle)

– Ni d’Eve, ni d’Adam (roman autobiographique d’Amélie Nothomb, 20ème siècle)

– L’Africain (roman autobiographique de Jean-Marie Gustave Le Clézio, 20ème siècle)

Films: – Indochine (film de Régis Wargnier, 1992)

– Art (pièce de théâtre de Yasmina Reza, 20ème siècle)

Oeuvres au programme de G11: – Un tramway nommé désir (pièce de théâtre de Tennessee Williams, 20ème siècle)

– Kitchen (roman de Banana Yoshimoto, 20ème siècle)

– Candide (conte philosophique de Voltaire, 18ème siècle)

– L’amant de la Chine du Nord (roman autobiographique de Marguerite Duras, 20ème siècle)

– Stupeur et tremblements (roman autobiographique d’Amélie Nothomb, 20ème siècle)

Oeuvres au programme de G12: – L’étranger (roman d’Albert Camus, 20ème siècle)

– Les fleurs du mal (recueil de poésie de Charles Baudelaire, 19ème siècle)

– Rhinocéros (pièce de théâtre d’Eugène Ionesco, 20ème siècle)

– Le dieu du carnage (pièce de théâtre de Yasmina Reza, 20ème siècle)

– Incendies (pièce de théâtre de Wajdi Mouawad, 20ème siècle)

School supported self-taught languagesFirst Challenge: Read one novel in your language A. Choose a novel which is considered a classic in a country where your Language A is spoken. Typically it would be a novel that students your age study at school in a country where your Language A is spoken. You may need to ask your parents to advise you on a book choice. After having read the book, answer the questions in the following book report template. You may need to look up the following terms in your Language A: narrator, protagonist, context, plot, theme, climax, imagery, symbolism.

Second Challenge: Watch a film originally made in your Language A. Based on the film paradigm below, provide a description of the plot. Integrate this description in a film review. Use the following structure for your book review:• First paragraph: introduction of the

film, the director, the actors …• Second paragraph: description of

the plot (refer to the film paradigm below)

• Third paragraph: your opinion on the plot, the actors, the music etc …

• Fourth paragraph: your recommendation

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Group 2: Language AcquisitionFor students entering into a SL or HL Language B course, the following is recommended to help maintain your language skills over the summer. Ab initio is an introduction to a language and so students entering an ab initio course can try some of the following but it is not expected.

Chinese B SL and HLReading comprehension and vocabularyVocabulary practice https://quizlet.com/145253118/chinese-vocabulary-flash-cards/

Reading materials http://collections.uiowa.edu/chinese/index.html

Suggested reading for Higher Level students:

《那些年，我们一起追的女孩》九把刀

《亲爱的安德烈》 龙应台

《美国老爸台湾妈》 赵映雪

ListeningVideos related to Chinese culture and curriculum topics http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLH4Tth4cQZmg0nLLYc8MMgSXpY778F9hq

Video learning materials http://english.cntv.cn/learnchinese/

FilmsStudents are encouraged to watch at least 2 of the following films in Chinese with Chinese subtitles; they should take notes of linguistics expressions and colloquialisms.

《饮食男女》

《小孩不笨》

《一个都不能少》

《落叶归根》

《人在囧途》

《失恋三十三天》

English B HLReading, listening and writing journalKeep a journal on your summer reading/listening and respond to each piece of text.

For each reading or listening, your journal should include:

1. A short summary (one paragraph of about 75 words).

2. A list of new vocabulary (at least 10 words) from each piece of text and a sentence written from each new word (a sentence of your own making—not from a dictionary).

3. A new piece of text but of a different type (for example you read a news article and write a blog entry) about that topic. Use some of the new vocabulary you have found in the original text.

4. Include both readings and listening from various sources.

5. Include the printed text or a link for each text type.

6. Hand in the finished journal during week one of class.

7. Include some of the following text types (and any others you may find):• news reports• magazine columns• editorials• blogs• pamphlets/brochures/flyers/

leaflets• essays• articles• television documentaries• spoken or written interviews• movies• movie/restaurant/book reviews• diaries• biographies• travelogues• guides• information report• recount• narrative

GrammarIt is important to maintain and improve your grammar. Please consult appropriate websites or books and try to self-correct.

Subject areas to read/write/listen about:

Core:• communication and media• global issues• social relationships

Options:• cultural diversity• customs and traditions• health• leisure• science and technology

Grammar, vocabulary, reading www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/

Grammar quiz www.englishclub.com/grammar

Listening www.learnenglishfeelgood.com/eslvideo

Text types www.chesterhil-h.schools.nsw.edu.au/curriculum-activities/text-types

www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks3/english

All skills and test preparationwww.uic.edu/depts/tie/coolsites.htm

http://efl-learners-online-resource.webs.com/listeningcomprehension.htm

French B SL and HLGrammarChoose your verb(s) and your tense(s) then practise, practise, practise

https://www.vocabexpress.com (great to revise vocabulary as well). https://conjuguemos.com/

It is essential that you start the French B course with a solid knowledge of the imperfect, perfect, present, and future tenses

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A great Powerpoint presentation which consolidates some basic grammar points https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BzRJcgBcctNgM3ppR2tkdmxkekU/edit?usp=sharing

Reading comprehension and vocabularyVocabulary practice http://quizlet.com/subject/french

Great reading exercises http://1jour1actu.com

A bank of rticles sorted by topics relevant to the French B curriculum. Choose articles that you are interested in and note down new vocabulary. https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0BzRJcgBcctNgZlhfODZ5RHhTWFk&usp=sharing

ListeningFrench news in French but at a slow speed—you can also access the transcripts www.newsinslowfrench.com

Video listening practice with transcripts www.laits.utexas.edu/fr

Video clips of French songs and transcripts. Practise French while listening to music. http://chansonsfle.blogspot.sg

Film trailers and scenes in French www.premiere.fr/Bandes-annonces

International francophone TV channel www.tv5.org

FilmsStudents are encouraged to watch at least two of the following films in French with French subtitles; they should write down key phrases and colloquialisms.

L’auberge espagnole (diversité culturelle)

Intouchables (relations sociales et questions mondiales)

Bienvenue chez les Chti’s (relations sociales)

L’Arnacoeur (relations sociales)

Tanguy (relations sociales)

Welcome (questions mondiales)

Spanish B SL and HLGrammarChoose your verb(s) and your tense(s) then practise, practise, practise. http://www.verbuga.eu/Mise/Mise.html

Grammar exercises www.colby.edu/personal/b/bknelson/SLC Trinity grammar pages

Grammar exercises for ALL levels (good for revision) www.spanish.cl/Grammar/Games.htm

Reading comprehension and vocabularyGreat reading exercises www.spanishrevision.co.uk/a_level/reading/reading_index.htm

Listening and reading online Punto y coma

ListeningSearch for ‘4 minutos’ within this site and then listen and try to pick out the main stories. http://www.rtve.es/

Video listening practice with transcripts https://www.laits.utexas.edu/spe/

Excellent listening activities with blankfill exercise, transcript and translator tool www.spanishnewsbites.com/spanish_newsbites/advanced_level

Listening activities and podcasts—different types of listening exercises on good IB topics Nivel intermedio (SL) and Nivel avanzado (HL) https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/asisehace

Songs and exercises. Practise Spanish listening to music. http://formespa.rediris.es/canciones

FilmsStudents are encouraged to watch at least two of the following films in Spanish with Spanish subtitles; they should write down language phrases and colloquialisms.

Los otros (2001), Alejandro Amenábar

Mar adentro (2004), Alejandro Amenábar

El orfanato (2007), Juan Antonio Bayona

El Laberinto del fauno (2007), Guillermo del Toro

El Gato con botas (2011), Chris Miller – Animación

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Group 3: Individuals and SocietiesBusiness and ManagementYou interact with businesses on a daily basis, you are aware of the products they make, the advertising they use and the people that work for them. Businesses take calculated risks and organise resources to produce and sell goods and services that meet human needs and wants. This course gives you an insight into and understanding of all facets of their operation. Six concepts underpin the course, and provide the framework for deeper study: change, culture, ethics, globalisation, innovation and strategy. These act as a lens with which we will examine the operational aspects of businesses. Units include Business Organisation and Environment, Human Resources, Accounts and Finance, Marketing, Operations Management, and Business Strategy.

These popular, entertaining books cover different aspects of business and the people that run them. Read one over the summer and think about how the concepts are applied.• Sprint by Jake Knapp, John Zeratsky,

and Braden Kowitz• Giants of Enterprise: Seven Business

Innovators and the Empires They Built by Richard Tedlow

• Let My People Go Surfing: The Education of a Reluctant Businessman by Yvon Chouinard

• Shoe Dog by Phil Knight• No Logo by Naomi Klein• The Leader Without a Title by Robin

Sharma

Along with the very informative and educational news channels like Bloomberg and MSNBC, these Business Education websites have excellent interactive resources:• https://www.tutor2u.net/business• http://www.businessmanagementib.

com/

You could also watch these movies or TV shows to give you more insight:

Joy, The Founder, The Social Network, Dragon’s Den, How We Made Our Millions, Undercover Boss, Hell’s Kitchen, and The Secret Millionaire to name just a few.

EconomicsView this video which explores the issue of scarcity and resource allocation, the topic we will start the course with. Make some reflections and observations in a journal and answer this question:

“How is it that the first world has an oversupply of food, while 1 in 7 in the world go malnourished?”

www.fastcompany.com/1580712/infographic-of-the-day-how-the-global-food-market-starves-the-poor

You can also go to tutor2u.net and explore the GCSE and ‘A level’ sections of the site. The home screen is regularly updated with new topics drawn from current news events, linked to parts of the IB/A level syllabus so that you can begin to understand how news events are analysed using concepts that you will come across in class.

GeographyGeography is a dynamic subject that is grounded in the real world and deals with some of the major concerns of our time. You will be studying contemporary issues like Poverty, Climate Change and Globalisation, and Geopolitical issues like conflicts over resources.

To help you prepare for IB Geography find out more about these global issues and get into the habit of regularly checking in with what is going on in the world by reading the news.

Reputable sites to use include:

http://www.bbc.com/news/science_and_environment/

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/all

http://www.scientificamerican.com/sustainability/

If you are totally new to Geography as a subject and want to do some basic preparation, a great place to start is https://www.bbc.com/education/examspecs/ztb42nb.

There are clips to watch and key ideas to read for all the major topics we will study at IBDP. A particularly useful primer for people who will be studying in a second language.

Global PoliticsIB Global Politics is a dynamic subject that is built around the unifying theme of ‘people, power and politics’. You will have the opportunity to explore the interactions of both state and non-state actors at various levels of analysis including community, local, national, regional, international, and global. As such, politics is happening all around you, and you should be aiming to spend part of your summer tuning into political ideas and discussions.

The first unit will focus on the changes to the world order brought on by the tumultuous events of 2016 such as the Brexit decision in the UK and the election of Donald Trump as US President. A unit will follow this on the ongoing dispute in South China Sea. Taking note of these two political issues in particular will be most useful for your first semester of IB Global Politics.

You are encouraged to create a Twitter account (if you haven’t already got one) and follow @UWCSEAEastGlopo. You can also use the hashtag #glopo to review a range of up-to-date resources.

Podcasts are also an excellent source of relevant political information,

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including in-depth interviews and discussions. The following podcasts are recommended as a very good starting point for Global Politics students:• Council of Foreign Relations – The

World Next Week• Global Dispatches – Conversations

on Foreign Policy and World Affairs• New York Times – The Daily• The Economist Radio• BBC World Service – Global News

Podcast

While there are literally thousands of books available that relate to the study of Global Politics, an interesting book to start with, as it deals with one of the major course concepts of ‘power’, is Is The American Century Over? by Joseph Nye. The Almighty Dollar by Dharshini David presents a fascinating account of globalisation at work, while Prisoners of Geography by Tim Marshall provides a description of various conflict ‘hot spots’ around the world.

HistoryThe study of History comes with a great responsibility. Yes, we must learn from the past in order to understand who we are today. But we must also study History in order to speak for those without a voice. That said, there is also pure joy to be found in the wonderful, baffling, hilarious and sometimes terrifying stories from History. IB History hopes to immerse you fully in each of these vital elements. Your programme largely examines the social, political and economic history of the 19th and 20th century. We travel across continents to explore war, peace, revolutions, dictatorships, remarkable advancements and crimes against humanity. Units include Tokugawa and Meiji Japan, Revolutionary Cuba, the Vietnam War, the Rwandan genocide and Mao’s China. As such, we suggest you read some fascinating survey histories, and watch some films, to develop a feel for the themes and tone of the period.

Read:• The Age of Extremes by Eric

Hobsbawm• A People’s History of the World by

Chris Harman• Civilisation: the West and the Rest by

Niall Ferguson

Watch:• Platoon• Ghost of Rwanda• Comandante• Hitler: The Rise of Evil• All Quiet on the Western Front

PsychologyAs students of psychology, you will have a chance to learn more about the fascinating human species. Be aware, however, the answers are often complex, and there are no definite answers in explaining the human mind and behaviour. At the core of the DP psychology course are the three different approaches to understanding behaviour and thinking; the biological approach, the cognitive approach and the sociocultural approach.

As an introduction to one of the many sub-units we cover, students need to go online to TED Talks and listen to and reflect upon the Fascinating psych experiments playlist (9 talks).

Any of the following are books you may want to read over the summer to give you a taste of what we cover in Psychology:• Permanent Present Tense: The

Unforgettable Life of the Amnesic Patient, HM by Suzanne Corkin

• Crazy Like Us by Ethan Waters• The Noonday Demon by Andrew

Solomon• How the mind works by Steven Pinker• 30-second psychology by Christian

Jarret (Editor)• Outliers: The story of Success by

Malcolm Gladwell• The Brain That Changes Itself by

Norman Doidge

Group 4: SciencesScience is both a process for generating new knowledge and for explaining the world around us. Over the long vacation, maintain your interest in science by visiting the following quality science websites to read articles and watch science videos. From your reading, consider problems that could form the basis of an extended investigation in your science subjects.

www.guardian.co.uk/sciencewww.guardian.co.uk/science/series/the-newton-channel-science-videoswww.bbc.co.uk/science/0/www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/

BiologyBiology is the natural science which is concerned with the study of life and living things. Amongst other topics, we will look at cell biology, molecular biology, genetics, ecology, evolution and the human body.

In preparation for your Biology course, you can consolidate your existing Biology understandings by engaging in some holiday reading to maintain your curiosity. The following books and websites are particularly good:• Creation, the origin of life / the

future of life by Adam Rutherford, concerning what life is, where it came from and where it is going.

• Gut by Giulia Enders, which reveals the latest science on how much our digestive system has to offer.

• What Has Nature Ever Done for Us by Tony Juniper, which links life, the planet and economics.

• CrashCourse Biology channel on YouTube is a great online resource.

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• The Biology Department also likes A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson which describes the people behind the major findings in modern science.

ChemistryChemistry is the central science in that it is said to be the bridge between the physical and life sciences. Chemistry is concerned about the behaviour of matter—the stuff which makes up our world—and how it interacts together. In preparation for your Chemistry course, we ask that you consolidate your existing chemistry learning, but also that you engage in some vacation reading to maintain your chemical curiosity. The following websites are particularly good:

Napoleon’s Buttons

The Royal Society of Chemistry: www.rsc.org

The RSC have a great ‘Learn Chemistry’ site www.rsc.org/learn-chemistry

and a host of other interesting areas to help satisfy your chemistry cravings. Download The Mole student magazines and have fun with the award winning interactive periodic table.

The periodic table of videos www.periodicvideos.com

This is easily the most enjoyable journey through the periodic table on the Internet.

Finally, an excellent and enjoyable account of the wonderful world of molecules is contained in P.W. Atkins’ Molecules. You can read most of this as a preview on Google books by using the search terms ‘Google books Atkins Molecules.’

PhysicsPhysics is a science that makes meaning of physical phenomena by creating laws and mathematical relationships from the outcomes of experimental investigations. This course will allow you to investigate both the world of classical physics, its history and its development into the modern era of quantum physics. You will investigate the models that help us to explain the natural world from the smallest sub-atomic particles to the largest objects in the universe. You will also be able to make connections with modern technology and see how much of it is a result of the investigation into the strengths and limitations of these models.

There are many YouTube channels that give an accurate overview of the physics behind the headlines, clarify misconceptions and will introduce you to ideas you will encounter on the course. Those worth watching include: Veritasium, Minutephysics and #physics.

The history of science is essential to appreciating the context in which scientists lived and how their work, and its results, were shaped by the times and places in which they lived. This book makes excellent reading:

The Measure Of All Things, Ken Alder

This is also available as a three part documentary.

A good and brief introduction to many theories in physics can be found in the book:

50 Physics Ideas You Really Need to Know, Joanne Baker

A slightly more complex look at several key theories is given by Richard Feynman in his book, Six Easy Pieces.

Computer Science“Whether you want to uncover the secrets of the universe, or want to pursue a career in the 21st century, basic computer programming is an essential skill to learn.” Professor Stephen Hawking, CH, CBE.

Computer Science is the study of theory and the application of techniques which will allow you not only to solve existing problems with computers, but also design and apply algorithms which bring new possibilities to other disciplines. Software and computational thinking have been applied to many different fields to push the boundaries of what was previously believed to be possible. Whether you are interested in creating the next level of VR or animated film, breaking an encryption code, making music or games, learning at an accelerated pace or even becoming a digital entrepreneur, you will find that the same tools can be applied

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effectively in each of these endeavours and many more.

To prepare yourself for the new concepts and ways of thinking that you will learn, it would benefit you to have some experience of computer programing in any language. There are many introductory courses but one which teaches the material in a simple yet transferable way is the Khan Academy’s excellent Intro to JS. For the more adventurous, I would also recommend Stanford University’s CS101 online course which covers many of the basics of Computer Science and programming in a different style.

It would be very useful if you could download and install the Eclipse IDE for Java Developers on your laptop as we will be using this throughout the course. You would also benefit from reading the MIT Technology Review and related websites which keep you up-to-date with new and emerging technologies.

Design TechnologyDesign, and the resultant development of new technologies, has given rise to profound changes in society: transforming how we access and process information; how we adapt our environment; how we communicate with others; how we are able to solve problems; how we work and live.

Technology emerged before science, and materials were used to produce useful and decorative artifacts long before there was an understanding of why materials had different properties that could be used for different purposes. In the modern world the reverse is the case, and designers need to have an understanding of the possibilities offered by science to realise the full potential of what they can design in terms of new technologies, products and systems.

Design is the link between innovation and creativity, taking thoughts and exploring the possibilities and constraints associated with products or systems, allowing them to redefine and manage the generation of further thought through prototyping, experimentation and adaptation. It is human-centred and focuses on the needs, wants and limitations of the end user.

To help you prepare for the IB Design Technology course, we suggest reading, watching some video and documentaries and regular visits to websites like:

http://designmuseum.org/design

http://storyofstuff.org/movies/

http://www.vitra.com

In preparation for this course, you should gain familiarisation of Autodesk Fusion 360 software and download the Design Classics App.

You are also encouraged to access and read the book The Design of Everyday Things by Don Norman

Environmental Systems and SocietiesEnvironmental Systems and Societies (ESS) is both a Group 3 Individuals and Societies and a Group 4 Experimental Sciences course that offers a coherent perspective of the interrelationships between the natural and human systems. This perspective is one that enables us to adopt informed personal responses and sustainable solutions to the wide range of pressing environmental issues that we have inevitably come to face. Attention is constantly drawn to our own relationship with the environment and the significance of choices and decisions we make in our own lives. In ESS, we evaluate the scientific, ethical,economic and socio-political aspects of issues on a local scale which at the same time directly link and apply to the global context.

These websites should get you excited about current environmental issues and solutions we will be studying in the course:• New Scientist• Wild Singapore• Green Facts• Smithsonian • I Love Science

Group 5: MathematicsAll courses at the IB Diploma rely heavily on technology and all students are expected to have the TI-Nspire CX graphing calculator. This model is available at the school shop on East Campus and students should bring this calculator, along with the cables and packaging, to their first Mathematics lesson. You will need your licence key and activation code to be able to install the TI software on your laptop.

What better way to prepare for your IB Diploma than reading about mathematics, listening to stories about mathematics and doing mathematics. Please dip into any of these online resources and enjoy your summer.

Group 6: The ArtsDanceWatch as much dance as you can, live and on video.

Make notes on the following: • movements used• use of space • use of speed/energy • use of dancers (number, gender, how

they work together) • use of music • use of costume or props • reflective comments on how each

dance compares to dances or dance styles you are already familiar with.

Please prepare a presentation on one particular piece of dance that you have enjoyed watching the most, using the notes you have made (5–10 minutes)

11 IBDP planning guide

FilmIncrease the range and style of films you watch. Experiment with different genres and films from different eras. Start to read film theory (not just reviews) linked with the films you watch and keep a journal with your titles, dates, thoughts and impressions. A ‘Film Diary’ will become a great resource for you.

Here are some sites that might help discovering new films, especially world cinema. • Mr Scott’s list of suggested films• http://www.bfi.org.uk/news/50-

greatest-films-all-time• https://www.empireonline.com/

movies/features/best-movies/• https://www.empireonline.com/

movies/features/100-greatest-world-cinema-films/

Also, begin to consider the process of filmmaking and how we read and produce film. There are several well-made practical film production ‘schools’ online. Here are a couple:• RocketJump Film School• Every Frame a Painting

You will be making films early, so any hands-on time with a camera/phone capturing characters or interesting compositions will be beneficial. Holidays are perfect for this type of thing.

MusicPractise your voice/instrument as much as you are able. Listen widely. Seek out live music. Actively discover some unfamiliar music. Record your impressions in a notebook.

Watch these:1. How Music Works2. Big Bangs

TheatreSee as much live theatre as you can wherever you are in the world. Keep the programme for the production so that you will be able to remember the details next year. If you have no access to live theatre, you can access productions and information about productions digitally through sites such as:• Digital Theatre+• National Theatre Discover YouTube

channel• NT Live• And lots of other sources on

YouTube.

You can also get DVDs of more well-known productions. Keep a record of your impressions of both the acting and direction as well as design choices you can see. You can make a short audio or video record of your thoughts or write/type them.

Visual ArtsVisit local galleries or museums and record basic impressions and collect pamphlets, et cetera from those places. Put these impressions, recollections and brochures in a notebook to be source at the beginning of the year. Part of your study is concerned with how you present and exhibit your works. Noting how professional institutions do this can give you great ideas and provide a justification for anything you may want to do that is a bit out of the ordinary. How you want people to experience your work also affects how you do your artwork. Understanding and sourcing cultural visual metaphors, using traditional techniques are established ways to approach this course. Looking around you and recording ideas and exciting observations for possible use in your work later art can guide your thoughts and prevent you from experiencing creative block.

Draw and sketch using colour via watercolours or merely recording in pencil and ink is a core practice for all artists. This can include record parts of designs and patterns, sampling textures and details. Drawing trains the mind and for an artist or designer enables the brain to understand complex relationships.

“An individual’s ability to draw is... the ability to shift to a different-from-ordinary way of processing visual information - to shift from verbal, analytic processing to spatial, global processing.” – Betty Edwards

Engage in art, look at the world and record your thoughts ideas and feelings in a travel sketchbook. Do this on a plane, sitting in a car, on a bus, sitting in a cafe, walking the streets – make it natural and vital to your life each day.

IBDP planning guide 12

We want you to have the best summer possible before arriving here at UWCSEA East. We know you might have some questions or clarifications that need to be made. If your questions are about the IB, please feel free to contact Paul La Rondie. If your questions are about the High School experience, contact Lindsey Stirrat or Rebecca Kenny. We will be happy to help make the transition as easy as possible.

Here is some information for you as well regarding orientation at the beginning of next school year. Here is a letter from the High School leadership team discussing the process of induction for you. And here is the orientation schedule for you as well so that you can plan properly. If you have any questions please contact Rita, the

QUESTIONS AND CONTACTS

ORIENTATION INFORMATION

Grade 11 secretary. She will be happy to help you out and make sure you are prepared.

If you are a Grade 11 student who is new to UWCSEA East, please bring an official copy of your previous school transcript(s) from Grade 9 and 10. Please give this to Rita at orientation.

Ted Cowan High School Vice Principal (Grades 11–12) ted.cowan@uwcsea.edu.sg

Paul La Rondie IB Diploma Coordinator paul.la.rondie@uwcsea.edu.sg

Jenson Hjorth Head of Grade 11 jenson.hjorth@uwcsea.edu.sg

Rayhanna Rashad Grade 11 Secretary rayhanna.rashad@uwcsea.edu.sgl

UWC South East Asia East Campus 1 Tampines Street 73 Singapore 528704 T +65 6305 5344 highschooleast@uwcsea.edu.sg

www.uwcsea.edu.sg

110COM-1819