IB DIPLOMA PROGRAMME CURRICULUM “Life in the 21st century, in an interconnected, globalized world, requires critical-thinking skills and a sense of international-mindedness, something that IB Diploma students learn to know and understand.” The internationally respected IB Diploma curriculum is underpinned by IB’s approaches to learning, five key learning skills that are essential for success: self-management, social-skills, communication, thinking, and research. In the IB learning environment more emphasis is placed on higher level skills including analysis, research, writing, problem-solving, and working in cooperative groups. IB requires students to study six subjects, three at the Higher Level and three at the Standard Level. This allows for both breadth and depth of knowledge. The Diploma Programme is built on the belief that concurrent learning of different disciplines provides a rich interdisciplinary perspective. The IB Diploma Programme also develops students’ critical thinking and experiential learning with the Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay, and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) components. All areas integrate an international perspective. West Vancouver Secondary School offers the following IB Diploma courses in grades 11 and 12 at the Higher and Standard levels: English Language and Literature (HL only) French Mandarin Spanish Japanese Geography History Physics Chemistry Biology Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches Theatre Visual Arts Film IB Diploma students must also complete a Theory of Knowledge requirement, a Creativity, Activity, Service component, and write an independent research Extended Essay of up to 4,000 words. TOK (Theory of Knowledge) Theory of Knowledge is a fundamental part of the IB Diploma. It provides students an opportunity to reflect on the nature of knowledge, and how we know what we claim to know. The aims of the Theory of Knowledge programme are to lead students to: • engage in reflection on and the questioning of the bases of knowledge and experience • be aware of subjective and ideological biases • develop a personal mode of thought based on critical examination of evidence and expressed in rational arguments CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) CAS is the extra-curricular component of the IB Diploma Programme. Activities can take place at school or in the community. Examples include participation in sports, service clubs, theatre production, dance, art or music programs. Students also seek volunteer opportunities to fulfill CAS requirements. Extended Essay The Extended Essay is a piece of individual personal research, presented as a 4000-word essay, in one of the Extended Essay subjects of the IB Diploma. The Extended Essay offers IB Diploma candidates a unique opportunity to engage in the process of personal research, to communicate ideas and information logically, and to develop their skills of analysis, evaluation and reasoning.
“Life in the 21st century, in an interconnected, globalized world, requires critical-thinking skills and a sense of international-mindedness, something that IB Diploma students learn to know and understand.”
The internationally respected IB Diploma curriculum is underpinned by IB’s approaches to learning, five key learning skills that are essential for success: self-management, social-skills, communication, thinking, and research. In the IB learning environment more emphasis is placed on higher level skills including analysis, research, writing, problem-solving, and working in cooperative groups.
IB requires students to study six subjects, three at the Higher Level and three at the Standard Level. This allows for both breadth and depth of knowledge. The Diploma Programme is built on the belief that concurrent learning of different disciplines provides a rich interdisciplinary perspective.
The IB Diploma Programme also develops students’ critical thinking and experiential learning with the Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay, and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) components. All areas integrate an international perspective.
West Vancouver Secondary School offers the following IB Diploma courses in grades 11 and 12 at the Higher and Standard levels:
IB Diploma students must also complete a Theory of Knowledge requirement, a Creativity, Activity, Service component, and write an independent research Extended Essay of up to 4,000 words.
TOK (Theory of Knowledge)
Theory of Knowledge is a fundamental part of the IB Diploma. It provides students an opportunity to reflect on the nature of knowledge, and how we know what we claim to know.
The aims of the Theory of Knowledge programme are to lead students to:
• engage in reflection on and the questioning of the bases of knowledge and experience • be aware of subjective and ideological biases • develop a personal mode of thought based on critical examination of evidence and expressed in rational arguments
CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service)
CAS is the extra-curricular component of the IB Diploma Programme. Activities can take place at school or in the community. Examples include participation in sports, service clubs, theatre production, dance, art or music programs. Students also seek volunteer opportunities to fulfill CAS requirements.
Extended Essay
The Extended Essay is a piece of individual personal research, presented as a 4000-word essay, in one of the Extended Essay subjects of the IB Diploma. The Extended Essay offers IB Diploma candidates a unique opportunity to engage in the process of personal research, to communicate ideas and information logically, and to develop their skills of analysis, evaluation and reasoning.