IB Theory of Knowledge Class procedures [highlights]

1. IB Theory of Knowledge Class procedures[highlights] Daniel W. Blackmon Coral Gables Senior High 2011-2012

2. Objectives • The Objectives of Theory of Knowledge are (from the Subject Guide p. 5) “candidates should be able to: • demonstrate an understanding of the strengths and limitations of the various Ways of Knowing and of the methods used in the different Areas of Knowledge • demonstrate a capacity to reason critically • make connections between and across Ways of Knowing and Areas of Knowledge

3. Objectives • make connections between personal experience and different Ways of Knowing and Areas of Knowledge demonstrate an understanding of knowledge at work in the world • identify values underlying judgements and knowledge claims pertinent to local and global issues

4. Objectives • demonstrate an understanding that personal views, judgements and beliefs may influence their own knowledge claims and those of others • use oral and written language to formulate and communicate ideas clearly.”

5. Objectives • All assignments will be directed towards preparing students to successfully fulfill the portfolio requirements for Theory of Knowledge. Grading will, to the greatest extent possible, imitate the criteria set by IB.

6. General • Students are expected to complete each and every assignment given during a grading period!

7. Uniform Policy • I intend to enforce the school uniform policy • .I intend to enforce the school ID policy

8. Attendance • All school policies pertaining to excused or unsatisfactory absences will be strictly enforced!

9. Attendance • .Failure to present me with a note means an absence is automatically "Unsatisfactory".

10. Tardies • "Tardy" is defined as not being in one's own seat and ready to begin work when the tardy bell begins to ring. • Unexcused tardies will be penalized.

11. Make Up Work • Make up work is entirely the responsibility of the student!

12. Make Up Work • Class notes which are not already on the class website should be obtained from another student

13. Make Up Work • If a student is absent on the day an assignment is due or on the day an assignment is written in class, the default grade is automatically a “Z.” • .If the absence is satisfactory, and when the assignment is made up, then the “Z” will be changed to whatever grade is earned.

14. Make Up Work • Assignments due the day of an absence are due upon the student's return to class. 

15. Make Up Work • If a student is in school at any time during the day when an assignment is due, the student is expected to bring the assignment by before leaving school.

16. Make Up Work • Tests must be made up on the next make up day following a student's return to class, unless specific arrangements with me have been made in advance. 

17. Preparation • Each student must keep a three ring binder with at least three sub-divisions: Class Notes, Bellringersand Handouts.

18. Preparation • The Class Notes section will contain each day’s class notes. The section should always have a sufficiency of loose leaf paper for in-class assignments. Each day’s notes shall be dated. Class notes are subject to teacher review and may be graded

19. Preparation • The Handouts section will contain any and all hard copy handouts that I distribute. This would include a print out of a hand out from my class website.

20. Preparation • The section for Bellringers will include the notes and any other assignment which I use as a Bellringer.

21. Preparation • Owing to shortages of paper in the building, many if not most hand-outs will be available to students only from the website. Students may choose to access them in class via an electronic device. Regardless of which method used, students must be able to access any relevant class handout in class

22. Preparation • Students are expected to have read all assignments in a timely fashion.

23. Preparation • .All assignments written in class and handed in must be in blue or black ink. • .

24. Preparation • All assignments written at home must be typed and must follow MLA style.

25. Preparation • Assignments not in MLA style will not be read at all! No excuses, and no second chances. If you can’t remember MLA, create a template for yourself

26. Classroom Rules • I generally allow students to sit where they wish prior to making my seating chart. But in the end, the seating chart belongs to me.

27. Classroom Rules • Courteous language is to be used at all times.  Vulgar, obscene, profane, insulting, or provocative language is not to be used

28. Classroom Rules • Generally speaking, I will tolerate food and / or drink so long as students clean up after themselves

29. Academic Grades • The Dade County grading scale is: • .4.00-3.50=A • .3.49-2.50=B • .2.49-1.50=C • .1.49-1.00=D • . .99-0.00=F

30. Assessment Outline • External Assessment (40 points) • An essay on a Prescribed Title (1200-1600 words) (one per marking period)

31. Assessment Outline • Internal Assessment (20 points) • A Presentation (approximately 10 minutes per candidate) (One per marking period)

32. Prescribed Essays • Prescribed Essays will be graded on a 40 point criterion referenced scale using the markband descriptors used by IB for history. A copy of the descriptors will be given to you.

33. Prescribed Essays • The IB markbands are not to be interpreted as a percentage. Conversion from the numeric IB mark to letter grades takes this into account

34. Prescribed Essays • Numeric scores for essays will converted to letter grades based on the following scale: • 40-33 A • 32-25B • 24-17C • 16-9 D • 0-9 F

35. Internal Assessment • The Internal Assessment (Presentation) must be graded according to a 20 point criterion referenced scale which is imposed by IB.

36. Internal Assessment • Numeric scores for the Internal Assessment will converted to letter grades based on the following scale • 17-20 A • 16-13B • 12-9C • 8-5D • 4-1F • 0="Z" F

37. Weighting grades • Typically, a quiz grade is weighted as 1 (W=1) • An essay is typically weighted as 5 (W=5)

38. Weighting Grades • A Prescribed Essay, since it is 66% of the final Theory of Knowledge mark, is typically weighted as 24 (W=24) • The Internal Assessment, since it is 33% of the Theory of Knowledge mark, is weighted very heavily: 18 for Content (W=18)

39. Participation Grade • There will be a weekly participation grade weighted as 1 (W=1) given on the last day of each week.

40. Participation Grade My default participation grade is “A.” • A “Z” in the grade book for any assignment will result in an “F” in participation until and unless the work is made up • An unexcused absence will result in an “F”

41. Participation Grade An unexcused tardy may result in an “F” • Chronic unexcused tardies will result in an “F.” • A disciplinary issue, as indicated by a note in the grade book, will result in an “F.”

42. Deadlines • Many students have gained the impression that deadlines at this school are optional and / or negotiable. • .My deadlines are not optional • .My deadlines are firm.

43. Deadlines • I have voluntarily changed some deadlines when students have pointed out conflicts with other classes and if I have the flexibility within my curriculum to allow it.

44. Deadlines • As a school, we have always tried to see to it that important deadlines were sufficiently spread out to give students a breathing space. • However, the process has always been imperfect. • If I can, I am willing to be flexible.

45. Deadlines • There are times when I cannot be flexible. My own deadlines forbid it.

46. Deadlines • Once set (or re-set), consider that due date as firm!

47. Deadlines • .If for any reason whatsoever, you believe you neede an extenstion on a deadline, you must see me first and obtain my agreement.Ex post facto doesn’t work.

48. Deadlines • .Late papers, even if I mark them, will be entered into the grade book as an “F”

49. Over-riding a Grade • Sustained, consistent improvement over the course  of the year is the basis for all decisions on teacher over-ride of a grade.  • I have a strong preference for making such decisions only at the end of the year

50. Malpractice, cheating and plagiarism • I take malpractice of any kind on any assignment of any magnitude whatsoever very seriously. Malpractice is the most serious offense a student can commit in IB History