TOK This I Believe

Every year the TOK I students create their beautiful "This I Believe" speeches, and their work is displayed on a website. This year, for the first time, students took the responsibility for creating their own "This I Believe" Google Site pages with embedded Soundcloud audiotracks.  The student independent work was supported by screencast instructions from Mrs Meneghini, the HS Academic Technology Coordinator. TOK teachers, Mrs Hunt, Mr Potter and Mr Berg, supported the new initiative, which went very smoothly.  We are not only proud of the students' statements of belief, but also proud of their independence.

Please click on the link below or the image to enjoy "This I Believe" speeches. for 2013.
You can also browse work from previous years on the site.

TOK This I Believe 2013

What Happens at the IB Core Retreat?

This past weekend 66 juniors participated in the 2nd Annual IB Core Retreat. The event kicks off the two year IB program for those juniors who are working to earn the IB Diploma. The Core consists of Theory of Knowledge (ToK), Creativity-Action and Service (CAS) and the Extended Essay (EE).

While the weekend is about the IB core, one of the main objectives is to create a community of learners who will support each other over the next two years. This community includes the students, teachers and administrators. We know from past experience that the two-year journey is filled with highs and lows and this retreat is the first step toward building a partnership.

One of the activities over the weekend was for students to identify which IB Learner Profile trait best fit them. They then had to work in a group to create slides that reflect this trait. Below is the final project.


 The next event is the IB The next event is the Junior Parent meeting on September 26.

More on the IB Program: What is Theory of Knowledge about?

Ask five Graded teachers and/or students what Theory of Knowledge (ToK) is about and you'll get five different answers. Chances are that many of the answers will be totally off base. It's one of the classes that you have to experience to truly understand what it means. Of course, even after 3 semesters students leave the course with more questions than answers. According to the guide, the most central question is "How do we know?"

As of this year, the IBO opened up ToK to all students, even if you're not an IB diploma candidate. If you're looking for a taste of what this year's juniors have done, check out their "This I Believe" audio statements.  

  

First Annual IB Core Retreat

On Friday and Saturday the Junior IB Diploma candidates attended the first ever IB Core Retreat. The retreat focused on ToK, Extended Essay and CAS and was organized by Ms. McClelland, Ms. Hunt, Amaral, Maggie and Mr. Berg. Students embarked on a 2-year journey during this 24 hour event where the boys slept in the black box theater and the girls in the library. 

Mr. Berg's ToK Students Kicked off the Retreat

"Good evening ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. Thank you for choosing Berg Air, the airline with fewest in-flight bear attacks. This is flight IB 2014 with destination to the IB diploma. Flight attendants will be coming around shortly serving refreshments. Please note that electronic devices must be turned off, due to IB Federal Protocol 1. Estimated flight time is approximately 2 years, so make yourselves comfortable. Please place your physical and emotional baggage either under the seat in front of you, or stow it in the overhead compartments. Note that emotions and attitude towards the IB diploma may shift over the course of the flight. Also note that the “procrastinate” sign has been turned off. While it will be turned on later in the flight, we suggest that you remain in your seat with your workload securely fastened, even if the sign is turned on. On this journey to the completion of the IB diploma, there will be some minor turbulence as we pass through an Extended Essay storm, but the flight staff is here to assist you with any fears or problems you may have. On behalf of all those at Bergland Travel, allow me to say welcome, and enjoy your flight." 

by Adam Fertig

Thanks to Mr. Potter, Ms. Petersen, Ms. Fernandes, Mr. Shackelford, Mr. Jensen, Ms. Stoneman, Ms. Panunzio and Ms. Zeidenberg for also contributing to this wonderful event.