April and May Seminars
at 8:36 am on Friday, 12 April 2013
April is risk-taking month. May is balance month. June, with final exams and graduation, is the month of reflection.
Freshmen will watch the documentary, The World According to Sesame Street, which explores how this American childhood favorite series had to be altered to appeal to children all over the world. This exploration will finalize our yearlong discussion of culture and identity. The worksheet, The World According to Sesame Street 2013. This will be due to students’ math teachers by May 3. We will also, of course, talk about the Personal Project as work goes on through English class.
We will not have seminars May 7, 14 or 21. Our last seminar will be May 28.
Sophomores will watch the documentary, May Lin: A Strong Clear Vision. This film documents the risk-taking efforts of 21 year old Yale student who dared to create one of our most moving national monuments, the Vietnam War Memorial. The worksheet is here: Maya Lin. It is due to math teachers by May 3. This documentary will finalize our yearlong exploration of how one person can make a difference.
We will not have seminars May 8, 15 or 22. Our last seminar will be May 29.
Juniors will continue discussing aspects of the Extended Essay. The EE Proposals and the last forms will be distributed on April 19. If you need to have forms or information, please go to the EE page on this blog : http://henricowarriors.org/biddle/?page_id=439. April seminar content will be IB Exam preparation. If you have questions or need forms, please go to the Exam page on this blog: http://henricowarriors.org/biddle/?page_id=532. Transportation form and behavior contract are due to the IB office by May 2.
We will not have seminars May 2, 9, 16, or 23. Our last seminar will be May 30.
Seniors will prepare for exams in April. IB exam information can be found at the exam page on this blog: http://henricowarriors.org/biddle/?page_id=532. Transportation forms and behavior contracts are due to the IB office by April 29.
There will be no senior seminars in May until our last seminar, May 31. During that extended seminar, we will watch the senior slideshow, and students, garbed in their college t-shirts, will pose for their class portraits. Ice cream and goodies will be served.
March Seminars
at 3:48 pm on Thursday, 28 February 2013
March is Caring month.
In grade 9, we will kick off our exploration of the Personal Project. March 5 we will do Diving into the Personal Project. On March 12, we will be Exploring Possibilities in the Personal Project. On March 19, we will look at interest inventories and Areas of Interaction. 2 – Interest Inventory (My Way) and focus on aoi. On March 25, we will give out the PP Guides and provide the forms for the PP Proposal: PP Proposal 12-13. All of the work generated for the PP will be turned in to Ms. Daniels in English class.
In grade 10, we will look at how one — or a few– person made a difference in the Invisible Children series. The worksheet, Invisible Children, is due to Math before spring break.
In grade 11, we will continue with the Extended Essay. See the page to the right!
In grade 12, we will continue with our look at race in America with “Brown is the New Green” with George Lopez and end the month with practical skills, looking at our communal CAS goal #3.
February Seminars
at 1:55 pm on Wednesday, 30 January 2013
In February we celebrate Black History month, with an eye toward understanding how important it is to show tolerance to all people. We also highlight being Open-Minded as our Learner Profile trait of the month.
February Seminars:
Freshmen will watch the documentary Free at Last, about the martyrs of the Civil Rights cause in our quest to identify things from which we draw our identity. The worksheet identification and reflection will be due to their biology teacher by March 4. Free At Last2012. We will also have a Speakers’ Corner event based on work in Ms. Daniels’ class.
Sophomores will think about how one person makes a difference, the importance of being open-minded and looking at milestones in the achievements of African-Americans by watching the movie, Something the Lord Made. This film recounts the contribution made by Vivien Thomas to the first open heart surgeries ever accomplished as he and Alfred Blalock sought to overcome “blue baby” syndrome. The worksheet and reflection (on accompanying article about the first African open heart surgery) is due to Mr. Giacofei by March 4.Something the Lord Made 2013
Juniors will kick off the Extended Essay! Precise details of all seminars can be found on the Extended Essay page: http://henricowarriors.org/biddle/?page_id=439.
Seniors will explore the conversation of race in America, branching out from the Civil Rights Movement, watching A Ripple of Hope about RFK’s speech after MLK’s assassination, to topics of race today — Being Muslim in America and Brown in the New Green. The two reflection pieces are due in TOK by March 4. Senior Seminar_Feb, Sr Seminar_Black History
January Seminars
at 2:25 pm on Wednesday, 9 January 2013
January is Principled month.
In grade 9, we will investigate how looking at consequences and taking responsibility can lead to making more principled choices. On 1/8, students will watch “Personal Ethics and the Future of the World” and answer these questions: Whose responsibility is it. On 1/15, students will view ”The Right Choices: Skills for Life” and answer the discussion questions: Questions for Discussion_EThics. On 1/29, students will explore what acting in a principled manner means in terms of IB. They will choose five scenarios and write a reflection on how they would behave and why. Making Responsible Choices. All of this work will be turned in to your history class.
In grade 10, we will watch the heartwarming documentary, “The Children of Chabannes,” and examine how one or two people can really make a difference in a community. Reflection questions are due in history class by Friday, February 1. Sophomore Seminar_Chabanne
In grade 11, we will look at four scenarios from ABC’s investigative series, Primetime, and explore “what would you do?” This worksheet reflection is due in TOK by Friday, February 1. Junior Seminar_ethics. In addition, we will be visiting by IB alumna Lauri Thompson who will be orienting students to opportunities at Virginia Tech, where she is a student.
Seniors will explore the work of Daniel Ariely, author of The (Honest) Truth about Dishonesty, and what it means to be honest and why we find it so easy at times not to be. Students will watch a series of TED talks and interviews of Ariely as well as have a guest speaker, Ms. E. Curry. Since one of our seminars was on a snow day, you can access the videos we would have viewed here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9X68dm92HVI, and here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUdsTizSxSI in order to answer the questions on the worksheet. Reflection on all that they have seen and heard will be due by February 4 in TOK. Senior Seminar_ Ariely ethics
December Seminars
at 1:17 pm on Monday, 12 November 2012
December is Communicating month.
Freshmen will focus on Language B is for seminar work starting on November 27 and for the month of December.
- Learning Inventory activity will be due to English by 12/3: Approaches to Learning. If you need the 7 Intelligences Inventory, please see Ms. Daniels’ SchoolSpace.
- We will start on 11/27 with a presentation on what is a culture, with the “iceberg worksheet” done in seminar. iceberg and listening wksht Students will be given the “identity questionnaire with chart” for “homework.” identity questionnare w chart
- On December 4, they will use that questionnaire to do the “identity activity” in seminar. They will staple the questionnaire to the activity and it should be turned in to your Language B teacher by December 7 for a completion grade.identity activity
- On December 11, they will have a presentation about language and identity and be given the Amy Tan “Mother Tongue” to read and the prompt to write on. The prompt is due to your Language B teacher by 12/21, again for a completion grade. Amy Tan prompt, Mother Tongue, by Amy Tan
- On December 18, we will have a discussion about our “two Englishes.”
November Seminars
at 10:01 am on Thursday, 25 October 2012
November is Thinking month!
In grade 9, students are finishing their Learning Styles and Skills activities. The activity worksheets will be available in Ms. Daniels’ room. The worksheet, Approaches to Learning, is due to PE teachers no later than November 9. Students will present their Learner Profile “Personal Metaphor” on November 13 and 20. Personal Metaphor Project and Ninth Grade Interdisciplinary Project 2010_3. Students will be given the next step in this project which is due in December: Ninth Grade Interdisciplinary Project 2010_Pts 2-4. Finally, the month will end with the beginning of our exploration into what is a culture.
In grade 10, students will have the opportunity to present their Personal Projects. Students should sign up in English class. If you need assistance in any aspect of the Personal Project, please visit here for support: http://henricowarriors.org/biddle/?page_id=520.
In grade 11, juniors will start Compton’s controversial documentary, 2 Million Minutes. The worksheet, which is due to TOK, by November 16, is here: Two Million Minutes. To answer these questions, you will also have to read both of these articles: Gerald Bracey on 2MM andJay Mathews vs 2 MM. The month will end with counseling and starting the documentary of Genie, Secrets of the Wild Child in which we will investigate the nature of language. IB Junior Seminar_secret of the wild child
Seniors will see the culmination of all their work on the Extended Essay in November. Resources for the EE are here : http://henricowarriors.org/biddle/?page_id=439. November 2 will be the final checklist and formatting and November 9 will be our Silver Tray Ceremony in which Diploma Candidates will present their papers and receive their silver IB pins. Next, we embark on the curricular extension activities seminar is so famous for with the documentary, Promises, which explores the Israel-Palestinian conflict through the eyes of children. Promises wksht will be due in TOK before winter break.
Time Management Strategies: the “to-do” list
at 10:24 am on Thursday, 11 October 2012
Here is a “to do” list template, IB style, thanks to Lisa Renard-Spicer, IB DP Coordinator, Mountain View High School: IB Busy TO DO list
October Seminars
at 11:04 am on Tuesday, 2 October 2012
October is Knowledgeable Month in our Learner Profile celebration.
Freshman will explore our theme of Identity — Who am I? and How do I create my identity? — through a series of interest inventories designed to help them understand themselves better. After all are completed students will do a reflection which is due in PE class by November 5. Activities are: Learning Style, Learner Temperament, Group Style, 7 intelligences, and rightleft brain test, rightleft brain explanation. The summative activity, due to PE for a grade, with all these worksheets attached, is here: Approaches to Learning
Sophomores will start the push to write the Personal Project report. First, we will discuss time management, the time line for the rest of the fall, and the rubrics to which they are accountable. Helpful Study and Time Management Tips, Fall 2012 Personal Project Timeline, IBO PP Guide – New. Next we will look at the outline of the report and how to proceed writing it. Writing the Personal Project Report 2012, aoi review, aaaFormat for Personal Project.
Juniors will work on time management, Steps to productivity, IB exam planning, Explanation of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program Curriculum, and Mind Mapping for learning (handouts to come!). We will start the documentary 2 Million Minutes on October 25. The worksheet/reflection is here: Two Million Minutes with readings, Gerald Bracey on 2MM and Gerald Bracey on 2MM. The worksheet will be due in TOK by November 12.
Seniors will look at the college application process. The Power Point Ms. Biddle gave is in her and Ms. Henly’s School Space. We will also look at Dining Etiquette, Job interview tips, and Writing COllege essays. We will also look at IB exam planning in anticipation of registration: Explanation of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program Curriculum
September Seminars
at 7:43 am on Tuesday, 11 September 2012
September seminars are geared to reorient students returning to school. Covered will be
- the requirements of the program (MYP 9-10 and DP 11-12)
- assessments and the calendar, 2012-13 HHS IB Event_Students and Parents, IBO Schedule 2013
- academic integrity Henrico High School Academic Honesty Contract, Academic Honesty Test
- ”Good Standing” policy, Maintaining Good Standing
- CAS 2012_13 CAS Activities
- time management Helpful Study and Time Management Tips, More Time Management Strategies
- Senior resumes Senior Self-Evaluation 2012, http://mycollegecalendar.org/explore/all/student-resume.aspx, http://inlikeme.com/composing-your-college-admission-resume/
April Seminars
at 7:39 am on Tuesday, 3 April 2012
April Seminars celebrate risk-taking. IB students are reminded there is GOOD risk-taking and BAD risk-taking. We will concentrate on understanding responsible use of technology and social media at all grade levels. In addition,
Freshmen will continue to work towards the Personal Project. They will work on their Proposals and Action Plans.
Sophomores will look at risk-taking in the context of their theme, “Making a Difference.” They will finish “Invisible Children” with this worksheet Invisible Children2 . They will also watch the documentary “Maya Lin” about the young Asian-American woman who designed the controversial Vietnam Memorial Wall in DC. That worksheet is here: Maya Lin. Both worksheets are due to your math teacher, IC the week after spring break and Maya Lin in the first week in May.
Juniors will continue work on the Extended Essay, receiving proposals back on 4/20. Juniors will also receive information about the administration of IB exams.
Seniors will focus in IB Exams.