IB
@ PMSS
EMPOWERING PMSS IB STUDENTS
Get the full run-down on your options, receive advice from those who know what you're going through, and make the most of the sweat, blood and tears you're putting into your education.
Grade 9 and 10: Pre-IB / IB Foundations Courses
All pre-IB courses cover the Ministry of Education curriculum while providing an introduction to the structure and rigor of the IB Diploma Programme
English
Introduction to literary analysis - written and oral commentary
Works you may study:
Grade 9
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The Veldt - Ray Bradbury
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Farenheit 451 - Ray Bradbury
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In the Heat of the Night - John Ball
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Never Cry Wolf - Farley Mowat
(Two of these will be studied by each class, and your understanding of them will be assessed by the infamous mock trial)
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A Midsummer Night’s Dream - William Shakespeare
Grade 10
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To Kill A Mockingbird - Harper Lee
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Lord of the Flies - William Golding
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Romeo and Juliet - William Shakespeare
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Macbeth - William Shakespeare
Social Studies
Large focus on history, with Human Rights and Government units in grade 10
Grade 10 includes both the grade 10 and 11 provincial curriculum, so IB students take their Social Studies Provincial Exam in grade 10 instead of 11. The curriculum is compiled all into the same year is so that your grade 11 and 12 years can be focused on the subject area(s) of your choice.
Languages
Introduction to the language and its structure - basic vocabulary and grammar
French is the only language with an actual IB course in grades 9 and 10. If you choose any of the other languages (Spanish, Mandarin or Japanese), you just take the non-IB course in grades 9 and 10.
Science
Biology, chemistry and physics are all explored
It's wise to take note of what subjects really interest you and which ones were a challenge for you to understand as you go through the course because in February of your grade 10 year you will need to pick which science(s) you will take in grade 11 and 12.
Art
Introduction to a range of media and art styles
This course is unexpectedly time consuming, so if you can handle the stress then you're sure to gain some time management skills!
Math
Lots of emphasis on learning what steps need to be shown in your solutions to questions in order to earn part marks on tests (this is crucial to know for your IB exams)
What is pre-IB like?
Pre-IB is, well, not exactly the best preparation for the actual Diploma Programme. True, it may be more of a challenge than middle school where you got straight A's that were all above 90% with basically zero effort. But, the structure and work load simply does not compare to grade 11 and 12.
That being said, what you learn in pre-IB, the people you meet and the experience of being with a bunch of other nerdy kids IS helpful and, frankly, lots of fun.
