Preparing for the final two years of high school

The above presentation is from the January 29th Grade 10 Parent Afternoon. The note below is from Graded's IB Coordinator, Mr. Carinn Mariani.

Our goal for this afternoon was to provide the information necessary to make informed decisions regarding IB program selections and to come together as a community of IB parents, teachers and students.  

We know that a set of answers will open the door to a new set of questions. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any of your concerns, questions or comments. I would also like to know if the organization of the afternoon and the content contained within met your needs. Based on that feedback, I will be able to tailor the goals of our next meeting (early Grade 11).

Next Steps:

Grade 11 counselors have requested that all students schedule a course selection meeting with them on a Google Calendar, shared with students in mid-January. Conferences will run from February 3 - 28. We hope parents will be able to attend meetings. If not, the counselors will communicate the results of that meeting with parents. 

Other helpful resources:

The IBO website - you will find links to university recognition, assessment and curriculum details, research on the programs, statistical reports and much more. 

Summer Pre-IB Institute - OSC is a company that provides pre-IB summer courses.  There are many companies which provide this type of service, but students and parents have reported positive experiences with OSC.  This is an optional educational experience for students and is not required to do well in this program. 

Carinn Mariani:  IBDP Coordinator  carinn.mariani@graded.br

Amaral Cuhna:  Extended Essay and CAS Coordinator amaral.cuhna@graded.br

Todd Daniel:      Grade 11 Counselor Last Names A-K todd.daniel@graded.br

Susan Keenan:  Grade 11 Counselor Last Names L-Z  susan.keenan@graded.br

Science and Social Studies Curricular Programs

The deadline to register for courses for next year is March 15th and there are still many high school students who have finalized their choices. Last week we shared information on the changes to our math program and this week we have information on our science and social studies departments.

9th and 10th graders next year will take Integrated Science I or II which will open up options for them in 11th and 12th grades. We are pleased to be able to offer IB Chemistry SL next year. We will be looking at other options for the years to come. The integrated science is a blend of biology, chemistry and physics that will run throughout the two year period. Graded has teamed up with Educhange to develop these new courses. The future is looking bright for Graded students in the area of science.

While nothing will change for 9th and 10th graders next year in the area of social studies, 11th and 12th graders will be able to choose from Brazilian Social Studies, IB Psychology SL/HL, IB Economics SL/HL and IB History SL/HL. The department will be working next year to redesign the 9th and 10th grade courses and we'll be looking at other elective options for grades 11 and 12. Next year is the first year that Graded students will be able to use the IB Brazilian Social Studies as their group 3 course for the diploma. Another example of greater choice for our students.

Curricular Changes - The Future of Math at Graded

This year the school is in the process of reviewing our math and social studies programs and I'm please to announce the results from the math review. While you have seen this in the 2013 - 14 Course Registration Guide, I've added a list of frequently asked questions to provide students and parents with more information. We are very excited about how these changes will provide offer our students with a more relevant and authentic learning experience in math and how it will encourage more students to strive for higher levels of mathematics. Our Director of Teaching and Learning, Colleen Broderick and members of the schoolwide math curricular development team are the ones responsible for making this happen.

Please feel free to submit your comments in the section below.

Frequently Asked Questions

Integrated Mathematics
Over the course of the next two years, Graded School will be transitioning to an Integrated Mathematics program for grades 6-10. We will begin with implementation in grades 6 and 9 in 2013 - 2014  since their present course work reflects integrated content already and can serve as a model for future course design. Full implementation is scheduled for 2014 - 2015.

Why is Graded changing math programs?
Beginning in 2011, Graded School instituted a systematic, ongoing curriculum review process to focus our curricular work on key tasks. This was designed to sustain a pace of change and ensure  stability within the academic program.  On a scheduled basis, we review, analyze, and ensure that our courses meet the needs our students and their aspirations. This is the result of a curriculum review audit in which clear trends emerged. Data reflected two key areas that we are responding to: students self-perceptions of themselves as mathematicians was poor and we were  limiting students options in mathematics too early in their academic career.

What does Integrated mean?
Integrated describes the style of mathematics education which joins together  many topics of mathematics throughout each year. This means that each course can cover topics in algebra, geometry, trigonometry and analysis. This style is common in international programs. Integrated should not be confused with project-based; however, in an integrated course there is more opportunity for teachers and students to engage in more relevant, realistic mathematical projects and tasks. An integrated program also models the IB Diploma Program, making easier the transition.

Does this mean students will not be prepared for higher level courses? (Change to How will this prepare students for higher level courses)
Quite the opposite. By changing our courses, we believe more students will have the opportunity to be prepared and to choose into an IB SL or HL course, in ways that are not possible in our current curricular pathway.

Since Integrated Math  is more  characteristic of international programs, will students have challenges in transitioning to the United States?
Some schools in the US are adopting an integrated program. Under the new Common Core Standards adopted by most states, the only difference between a traditional American sequence and an integrated sequence is the order in which the topics are taught. Students placement in the US will align with core grade-level expectations at Graded School.

Will teachers be trained in the program?
Graded teachers are very knowledgeable and well-versed in all the topics of mathematics due to their experience with the IB Diploma Program.  The mathematics leaders in middle school and high school will participate... We will review, and purchase new instructional materials to support the classroom experience as part of the implementation plan.

How do students know which courses to take?
As in the past, the eighth grade teacher will identify  the best placement for students based on their achievement on key concepts in the second semester. The HS course description book also outlines the the variety of courses available.

Welcome to the High School

Yesterday, Ms. Andrade and I met with 8th grade parents to talk about the high school program and courses for next year. The 8th graders will be selecting courses during the next three weeks as they make the transition to high school. Below is the presentation from that meeting.