TOK - Theory of Knowledge

Theory of Knowledge (TOK) is a course that explores the central question - How do we know what we know? This class is one of the core components of the IB Diploma Programme and is required to earn the IB Diploma.

TOK at Coconino High School will run every Wednesday afternoon from 1:00 to 3:00 for the full two years of the Diploma Programme. Only students pursuing the full IB Diploma will be eligible to take the TOK course.

CAS - Creativity, Activity, and Service

A central component to the IB is ensuring students lead balanced lives and are not all about school all the time. It encourages students to be creative, active, and to serve the community around them.

The Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS) requirement is part of the core of the IB Diploma Programme and is a requirement to earn the IB Diploma. Students must complete components for each of the three parts of CAS with the support of an advisor.

EE - Extended Essay

The IB places an emphasis on student agency and choice in their education. Therefore, one component of the core of the IB Diploma Programme is the Extended Essay (EE). This is a requirement to earn the IB Diploma.

The EE is a 4,000-word independent research paper in which students select a subject, write a research question, investigate that question, and respond. This is completed with the support of a supervising teacher.

IB Language A: English Language and Literature 11 & 12 HL

The Language A course is dedicated to supporting a student in mastering their primary language. For most students at Coconino High School the primary language is English, therefore the Language A course offered for the school year 2020-2021 is in English. Eventually, we hope to expand the program to offer a Language A in Spanish for those students whose heritage language is Spanish.

The course IB Language A: English Language and Literature HL is offered to Juniors beginning in 2020-2021 and is a two-year, writing-intensive course. Students will stay with the same teacher for both years. This course will focus on exploring varying perspectives in literature and how language is used in different mediums. Students will read works in English as well as works that were originally written in languages other than English and have been translated and explore an essential question “What was lost in translation?”.

The course, as designed and outlined by Mr. Bryce Brothers, will explore the theme - What does it mean to be human?- and how that theme has been portrayed in works of literature, non-fiction, film, video games, etc.

IB Language B: Spanish ab Initio

• This class would be great for students who weren’t able to take a language their Freshman and Sophomore years because pursued other electives such as CIT or Band.

• The Language B course is dedicated to supporting a student in language acquisition of a second language. Although at Coconino we proudly offer both Navajo and Spanish, currently only Spanish is available for the IB Diploma Programme.

  The IB DP programme offers three different levels for language acquisition: ab Initio SL, Language B SL, and Language B HL. These Junior/Senior classes are run for two years and students will stay with the same teacher, either Ms. Francy Solarte Soto or Ms. Lizett Castruita, for those two years.

  IB Spanish ab Initio is a Level 1-2 class

IB Language B: Spanish SL

The Language B course is dedicated to supporting a student in language acquisition of a second language. Although at Coconino we proudly offer both Navajo and Spanish, currently only Spanish is available for the IB Diploma Programme.

The IB DP programme offers three different levels for language acquisition: ab Initio SL, Language B SL, and Language B HL. These Junior/Senior classes are run for two years and students will stay with the same teacher, either Ms. Francy Solarte Soto or Ms. Lizett Castruita, for those two years.

IB Spanish B SL is a Level 2-3 class

• This class would be great for students who are not strong in Spanish or who have only had 1 or 2 years in Spanish.

IB Language B: Spanish HL

The Language B course is dedicated to supporting a student in language acquisition of a second language. Although at Coconino we proudly offer both Navajo and Spanish, currently only Spanish is available for the IB Diploma Programme.

The IB DP programme offers three different levels for language acquisition: ab Initio SL, Language B SL, and Language B HL. These Junior/Senior classes are run for two years and students will stay with the same teacher, either Ms. Francy Solarte Soto or Ms. Lizett Castruita, for those two years.

IB Spanish B HL is a Level 3-4-5 class

• This class would be great for stronger Spanish speaking students. Students who have completed the Puente Language Institute or took Spanish in Middle School through their Sophomore years.

IB History of the Americas and the World HL

The Individuals and Societies group is traditionally considered your Social Studies classes. The initial course offered at Coconino High School for this group is IB History of the Americas HL. This two-year course is open to Juniors and allows students to meet both their World History and United States History graduation requirements. Students will stay with the same teacher for both years. If sophomores took World History instead of Government and Economics, they can still take IB History but the first year will count as elective credit.

IB History of the Americas HL with Ms. Chelsea Drey will study the following topics: year 1 will focus on the theme of Conquest and its Impacts in Spain, Mexico, and Peru and then progress into studying how early modern states such as the Ottomans, Qing, and Songhai developed and maintained their empires; year 2 will focus on studying imperialism and its impacts in the Americas through events like World War One, World War Two, and the Cold War.

The primary difference between this class and an AP History or a regular history class is the amount of time dedicated to each topic. Students really have a chance to dive into topics for an extended time all while exploring multiple perspectives in history. We look at how perspective shapes your view of history along with looking at what it means to do history.

IB Biology HL

The Sciences group at Coconino High School includes both IB Biology HL and IB Computer Science SL. IB Biology HL is a two-year course open to Juniors and is taught by Mr. Kelley Smith and will count as a lab science.IB Computer Science SL is taught by Mr. Jeremy Gemetta and is open to Juniors and Seniors and is the only one-year course that will be offered in the Diploma Programme at CHS.

Students deciding to take IB Biology HL should be sure to have already completed two other lab science classes during their Freshmen and Sophomore years so they can meet university admissions requirements. See your counselor if you are not sure about your science requirements.

IB Computer Science SL (1 year only)

The Sciences group at Coconino High School includes both IB Biology HL and IB Computer Science SL. IB Biology HL is a two-year course open to Juniors and is taught by Mr. Kelley Smith and will count as a lab science.IB Computer Science SL is taught by Mr. Jeremy Gemetta and is open to Juniors and Seniors and is the only one-year course that will be offered in the Diploma Programme at CHS.

Students wanting to take IB Computer Science SL should know that this course does not count as a lab-science and it is a one-year-only course

IB Mathematics: Applications and Interpretations SL

The IB Mathematics course offered at Coconino High School is IB Mathematics: Applications and Interpretations HL and SL taught by Ms. Danielle McClure. In this course, students will study Numbers and Algebra, Functions, Geometry and trigonometry, Statistics and probability, and Calculus in an integrated and applied manner. It emphasizes the meaning of mathematics in context by solving real-world problems.

The two different levels of the course are designed to allow students to enter the IB Math class in the level they are at based on their previous study and comfort level in math. Both levels are two-year courses open for students entering their Junior year. IB Mathematics SL is typically going to be for students who completed Algebra 1 and Geometry in Freshmen and Sophomore years. The first year of IB Math SL will count as Algebra II.

IB Mathematics: Applications and Interpretations HL

The IB Mathematics course offered at Coconino High School is IB Mathematics: Applications and Interpretations HL and SL taught by Ms. Danielle McClure. In this course, students will study Numbers and Algebra, Functions, Geometry and trigonometry, Statistics and probability, and Calculus in an integrated and applied manner. It emphasizes the meaning of mathematics in context by solving real-world problems.

The two different levels of the course are designed to allow students to enter the IB Math class in the level they are at based on their previous study and comfort level in math. Both levels are two-year courses open for students entering their Junior year. IB Mathematics  HL is typically going to be for students who completed through Algebra 2 in their Freshmen and Sophomore years.

IB Visual Arts SL/HL

The IBO strongly encourages students to learn about the arts, therefore the sixth required subject group is The Arts. For the time being, the only course Coconino High School is able to offer in this subject group is IB Visual Arts SL and HL. This is a project and process-based art class that encourages students to reflect on the process of creating art. Student choice is critical in this art class and students are encouraged to explore various art mediums and styles in their creation.

The IB Visual Arts SL and HL, taught by Ms. Kelly Woodruff, is a two-year course and does not have a prerequisite but students are strongly encouraged to have taken Intro to Art and Drawing and Painting. The difference between SL and HL in this course is the number of projects students complete within the two years.

• Candidate

  A candidate is a student who is in the IB diploma program; they are candidates for the IB diploma until their exam results are finalized, usually after graduation.

• CAS - Creativity, Activity, and Service

  Creativity, Activity, Service. This is the major “out of class” requirement for the IB students. Essentially, students in grades 11 and 12 are required to complete a senior long term project with at least 150 hours of documented activities in the areas of creativity, activity, and service and meet 8 learning outcomes. An oral presentation is the culminating activity for their CAS requirements. For more details about CAS, see the IB Student Handbook (Coming Soon).

• Certificate

  "Candidate" is the old term used for students taking only individual IB courses; the new term is “Diploma Program Course Students.” Students who do not achieve the full Diploma may still test in their course and receive scores to earn a certificate verifying their scores in each subject. If a Course Candidate scores a score of 4 or better in an HL course, they may likely receive college credit depending on the university.

• Coordinator

  "Coordinator" is the title of the person who oversees the day to day operations of the IB program, arranges schedules and examinations, advises students and communicates the IB philosophy to students, faculty, and parents.

• Diploma

  Students taking six IB subjects are pursuing the IB Diploma, sometimes called the “full Diploma.” The subjects include Language A (English), Language B (Second Language), Individuals and Societies, Mathematics, The Sciences, and The Arts. Students must also complete requirements in TOK, EE, and CAS.

• DP - Diploma Programme

  Diploma Programme is the final 2 years of high school for an IB student pursuing the full diploma.

• DP Core - Diploma Programme Core

  The DP Core includes Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS), and Extended Essay (EE).

• EA - External Assessment

  The External Assessment (EA) is the culminating assessment for each course taken in the form of an exam in May of the year they complete the course, senior year for most courses.

• EE - Extended Essay
  Extended Essay. During the two years of the IB Diploma Programme, students write an original essay including research of up to 4000 words on a topic of their choice with supervision from an IB teacher who mentors them in the research for the essay.

• Groups (1 – 6
  Groups (1 – 6): What we often call subjects, IB refers to as groups. Group 1: Language and Literature. Group 2: Second Language (French, Latin, Spanish). Group 3: Individuals and Societies (social studies). Group 4: Experimental Sciences. Group 5: Mathematics. Group 6: Arts and Electives.

• Group 4 Project
  The Group 4 Project is an interdisciplinary science and computer group project designed and presented by the students with the supervision of their science teacher.

• HL - Higher Level

  Higher Level/Standard Level. Diploma students take a combination of 6 IB courses: 3 Higher Level (HL) and 3 Standard Level (SL) courses. Higher Level courses are always two-year courses culminating in May of the senior year and entail at least 270 hours of instructional time.

• IA - Internal Assessment

  IA - Internal Assessment. These refer to various assignments in each subject that are conducted during the course, assigned and evaluated by the teacher, and then a sample set is sent off to a moderator to validate or modify the marks assigned by the classroom teachers. In history, for example, the IA is a research project on a topic of the student’s choice; in science, the IA is the documented record of the student’s independent lab work.

• IB - International Baccalaureate

  IB - International Baccalaureate, a shorthand for the International Baccalaureate Organization which authorized schools around the world to offer the IB Diploma Program, as well as the IB Middle Years Program, the IB Primary Years Program, and the IB Career-Related Certificate. At present, Coconino High School offers only the IB Diploma Program.

• Mock Exams

  Mock Exams are taken by students in March/April of their senior year in preparation for their IB Exams in May.

• Moderation

  The process by which IB validates or moderates the marks on the internal assessments that are scored by the classroom teacher. We send the moderators samples of scored work on each IA and those marks are then moderated up or down to arrive at final marks/grades for that component.

• MYP - Middle Years Programme

  MYP - Middle Years Programme is the IB programme available to 6th through 10th-grade students. Currently Sinagua Middle School is in Candidacy to become an IB MYP school and will offer that programme from 6th through 8th grades. Coconino does not have any plans at this point to offer the Middle Years Programme to 9th and 10th grades.

• Papers

  Papers (1, 2, 3) are IB examination papers. Each subject takes at least 2 and sometimes 3 papers as part of the IB exam for that subject. Almost all of these are essay questions (sciences have one multiple choice paper out of 3 papers total in science).

• Predicted Grades

  Predicted grades: IB teachers submit predicted scores for each student in their classes. The predicted score is submitted to IB but is NOT factored into a student’s actual, final score. Predicted scores are used to gauge the classroom teacher’s standards against those of IB examiners and moderators. Teachers arrive at the predicted scores (1-7) based on the students’ overall classroom performance, quality of their IAs and professional judgment of the student’s ability in the subject.

• PYP - Primary Years Programme

  PYP - Primary Years Programme is the IB's programme for Kindergarten through 5th grade. Currently, Puente de Hozho is a PYP candidate school.

• Scores

  Scores: Sometimes referred to as grades or marks, the scores for each IB subject range from 1 – 7, with 7 being the highest. The IB scores for a subject is achieved by a combination of the student’s performance on both internal assessment (IA) and external assessment, usually called exams, which students take in May at the end of the course. A passing score in a subject is a 4, which represents “satisfactory” work. Students generally need to achieve a minimum overall score of 24 (6 subjects x 4) to earn the IB Diploma although there are several exceptions and conditions (students must compete CAS, if a student scores a 2 in an HL subject then he/she must make a 28 overall to earn the diploma)

• SL - Standard Level

  Higher Level/Standard Level. Diploma students take a combination of 6 IB courses: 3 Higher Level (HL) and 3 Standard Level (SL) courses. Higher Level courses are always two-year courses culminating in May of the senior year and entail at least 270 hours of instructional time.

• TOK - Theory of Knowledge

  TOK - Theory of Knowledge. This is the “capstone” course of the IB program. While each class touches on aspects of TOK, the course pulls all of that knowledge together in a weekly seminar. Students complete a TOK presentation and TOK essay as part of the course.