DP 1B
August (Week ending 16.08.19)

Subjects

Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature

English SL – We started the year with an overview of the Language and Literature SL curriculum and the new assessment pattern. With the help of a PPT, we gained an understanding of the areas of exploration, global issues and the concepts we will cover in the next 2 years. To understand the assessment criteria, we graded 2 sample papers to gain a clear understanding of the expectations. We also analysed different texts to determine the audience, speaker and purpose and how language had been used effectively to fulfill the purpose of each text. We are now in the process of writing the introduction to the analysis task of an editorial. By Kushaagra Kapoor DP1B

Hindi – Being introduced to DP, new classmates and a different curriculum, these first few weeks in Language Acquisition (Hindi) have been engaging and informative. The students were introduced to the format of DP assessment, division of papers and examined sample EEs in Hindi. The students finalised the subject at a standard or higher level and have been interacting with the teacher accordingly. As a practice, we also took a mini mock of Hindi paper 1, as part of a class activity to get familiar with the level of difficulty and adapt to the new system of response.Recently, the students were also introduced to their first unit, ‘Social Organization’ wherein they pondered on potential topics of study, discussion and debate. These first weeks of being in DP has created a lively and interactive synergy in the environment and all of us are geared up to attain our diploma. By Rishav Haldar

Group 2: Language Acquisition

Spanish Ab Initio -Spanish classes started with the description of the subject, syllabus and assessments. We started our first unit ‘Identities’. We leant how to describe ourselves and our personality in Spanish. We also talked about the school timetable, time schedule and school subjects. We conducted a discussion on the Theory of Knowledge connections with the unit ‘How do last names form our identity’. We connected it with History and our Spanish teacher helped us link it with other area of knowledge, Human Sciences. We are currently working on making our own dictionary by writing all the adjectives, expressions and cultural phrases which appeared while reading texts.

Spanish B SL – We understood the course of group 2. We discussed the 5 themes and their sub topics to be covered in DP 1 and DP 2. We started our first theme ‘Identidades’ and worked on the component of paper 2, a reading text and a listening text on languages. We were given images to describe. This helped us brainstorm our language speaking skills.

German Ab Initio – We started with an overview of the curriculum and an ice breaking exercise of making a mind map (what’s the first thing that comes to your mind, when you listen to the word German/Germany). Sounds, alphabets, greetings (formal and informal) and numbers followed soon after. We then moved on to introductions and verb conjugations in which we did the different subjects (I, you, they, he, she, it, etc.). After which we understood the different ways verbs change when added to different subjects. We also practiced the names of countries and the languages spoken, dates, zodiac signs and their related characteristics (adjectives), articles (the, and, a), family and other relations. We watched videos as well which taught us the basics of holding a conversation in German. By Kushaagra Kapoor DP1B

French -We understood the course curriculum of French B. A PPT presentation was given which illustrated the prescribed themes with the guiding principles and recommended topics. Our teacher explained the assessment outlines as well as the criteria. We started our first unit which is ‘Social Organization’ and explored different family systems existing in francophone countries.By Aryamoy Mitra DP 1

Group 3: Individuals and Societies

Business Management
HL/SL – During the initial weeks we were introduced to the structure of the distinct units that encompass our subject. We started our classes by discussing the IB DP Business Management Guide. We discussed the six concepts that underpin the course of Business Management. We went through the various topics and understood the curriculum.After we discussed the guide we discussed various questions on how the business sector is important for an economy and how it impacts our society. We learned how to answer questions appropriately during exams and studied the assessment rubric. We then watched unit specific presentation and video which helped us know more about the role of businesses, different sectors and the various stakeholders involved. We also undertook two innovative tasks in which we had to imagine a company and inform which sector it could be categorized under and the distinct external and internal stakeholders of the company. We also studied business terminology with respect to Entrepreneurship and Intrapreneurship. By Kunal Rathi DP 1A

Economics- In the last two weeks, we focused on topics such as opportunity cost, production possibility curve, the foundation of economics which is based on effective decision making and the circular flow of economic activity. We held class discussions while tackling each topic and revisited terminologies such as firms, households, markets and demand.
Furthermore, we held discussions on the determinants of household demands and created notes in our journal.
By Garima Gill DP 1 A

Psychology -The past couple of weeks we have targeted learning the basic fundamentals of psychology. To do this, we were introduced to the subject and how it was founded through ground breaking experiments and theorists. We were then introduced to the fundamental schools of psychology namely Behaviorism, Humanism and Psychoanalysis. The students gave presentations in groups based on each to help gain a better understanding of how they were founded, the theories based on which they were established and the individuals instrumental in their birth. This helped us gain a clearer vision of the foundations of the subject and its connection with other subjects. It helped us understand psychology as a subject and how it functions. By Tashvi Anand DP1A

History -We discussed the paper options available for the History Diploma Programme and started the unit on Japanese expansion in Asia in the 20th century. We started discussing the rise of nationalism and militarism in Japan after the Meiji restoration. We examined the circumstances under which Japan had to enter World War I and its aftermath. We also evaluated the role of different factors that motivated Japan to leave the League of Nations and join the Axis powers.

Global Politics -We started discussing the need of studying politics in the modern world. We examined the meaning and different paradigms of power and the theories of power given by Joseph Nye, Gramsci, Mearsheimer and Stephen Lukes. We looked at different examples of political case studies that can be examined against these theories. We evaluated the need of soft power and its implications in the modern world. With the help of newspaper articles we analysed the fundamentals of political theories and their practicability.

Group 4: Sciences

Physics – We were briefed about the curriculum and assessments. We were introduced to IA briefly. Followed by which we started with the first Unit: Measurements and Uncertainties. We learned about the uncertainties in measurements, and how can they be determined. We strengthened this concept with a practical task. We were made aware of criterion: Analysis for an IA and each strand was discussed. In addition, we also learnt about the order of magnitude and have started reading about vectors. By Ishaan Gupta DP 1B

Chemistry – We began our chemistry lessons with an overview of subject guide and the subject requirements in terms of curriculum and assessments. We attempted an interesting quiz on chemical aspects of substances around us and we realized that the study of chemistry pertains to all IB learner profile attributes. We were asked to list the elements, compounds and mixtures from our surrounding as a test of our prior knowledge . We also revised the basic concepts in chemistry like formula making, balancing of chemical reactions and laws of chemical combination which took us to our first unit ‘Stoichiometry’. We learnt about inter-conversion of physical states of matter and its industrial applications in freeze drying, air-conditioning and refrigeration. We were introduced to the concept of mole through an investigation ‘The Bean Lab’ which helped us in understanding the quantitative aspects of chemistry. After strengthening our basics through simple mathematical calculations, we began with calculations involving the mole and molar masses and solved the worksheets given. The learning of mole and mathematical approach in chemistry took us to an involving knowledge question in TOK where we debated about the fact, ‘Is Knowledge in mathematics actually more certain than our knowledge in science?’ We presented our write-up for the same. By Ishaan Mohan Gupta DP1 B

Biology SL and HL -During the past two weeks in biology classes, we were busy getting to know the Diploma Program and slowly transitioning from our old curriculums. From assessment models and systems to how daily work will be conducted in DP classes, we unraveled the program and began to understand its different facets.Thereafter, we started the course content, beginning with the different sub units of molecular biology: metabolism, water, carbohydrates, proteins and lipids.
The latest topic we are exploring is enzymes and the factors that affect enzyme activity. Near future tasks and goals are to prepare for next week’s FA and revision of past work.
Next week, we are excited to perform our first practical using the Sensor. By Rashed Nessar DP 1B

Computer Science -The academic year started off with an introduction to Computer Science. Firstly, we discussed what Computer Science in the IBDP means after which we discussed how the assessments take place.Mostly, all of us are new to studying computers, as a science, hence starting off with the complete basics was essential. We were introduced to the very basics of how computers run which is Binary (0’s and 1’s). Thereafter, we developed upon how humans have simplified computer languages throughout the years making progress from Binary to Python. After which we started off learning the Pseudo code. We were taught what it actually is and its real life application. We were shown basic problem solving codes on the board following which we solved practice problems which ranged from easy to challenging. These learning sessions developed upon our understanding of Pseudo codes which included learning the IB specific notation imperative to examinations. By Dhruv Garg – DP1 A

Environmental Systems and Societies – We started our ESS class with an interesting activity ‘Who am I’ which helped us to explore ourselves and make a link between our previous curriculum and the DP model.
We explored our subject guide and discussed the assessment criteria, group 4 project, TOK integration and IAs format.
We also conducted a case study on Zero day- water preservation and will be presenting our thoughts via a poster.
We have started our course with the first Unit-Environmental Values and Systems.

Group 5: Mathematics

Mathematics Applications and Interpretations SL- After taking the bench marking assessment we reassessed our abilities and set our own goals keeping in mind our future goals. We revised the concept of rounding off and significant figures and learnt about the numbers and the percentage errors in real life context. By Keerat Singh Shah

Mathematics Applications and Interpretations HL The academic year started off with an icebreaker in which students introduced themselves to the class, including the teacher.
Thereafter, we were introduced to what we’ll be learning throughout the Diploma Programme and tapped into prior knowledge.Post which we moved on to the study of bounds and its real life applications. Subsequently, we learnt what logarithms is, its purpose, the various laws it follows and natural log. The students were engaged throughout as for most students the concepts were completely new and relevant to real life. By Dhruv Garg DP 1A

Mathematics Analysis & Approaches -We started our session with the crossword puzzle activity to revise math command terms and mapped all DP Math command terms to the same. We have started with our first unit of ‘Algebra’ and covered the topic sequences and series. First, went over the basics of AP and GP, after which we learnt about sigma notation and some of the laws of using sigma notation. To strengthen these topics, we also practiced some real life applications of AP & GP such as compound interest, growth and decay problems. In addition, HL students learnt about recurring sequences and series. By Ishaan Gupta DP 1B

Group 6: The Arts

Theatre – Over the past two weeks in theatre, we have been going over the subject guide. We discussed the various aspects of our way forward, expectations in terms of work, submissions and the assessments (internal and external). We have also initiated our work for the first task related to the play text, also commonly known as the director’s notebook. Theatre in context, theatre in process and presenting theatre – these are the three major verticals our entire guide is aligned with.
By Ananya Pandalai – DP1 B

Visual Art – We have begun our unit with creative composition drawing and illustration painting. We have tried to understand the different types of drawing and illustration techniques used in different paintings to create visual language and are learning ways in which compositional balance can be created by adding and creating harmony between different elements. We have started researching on artists and art movements and based on our research have started making the layout for our practical work. We are also working out on the mediums that we will use for our practical work. We are also making mind maps based on our research.

Core
TOK – In TOK classes, we were introduced to the subject of Theory of Knowledge, by understanding the significance of the subject and the importance of the different perspectives towards knowledge. We studied what the subject entails and even understood the assessment rubric, which contains the distinct components of essay writing and presentation.
In addition, we discussed the Ways of Knowing and the Areas of Knowledge, which allowed us to comprehend the subject even further. The information provided a foundation for us and assisted in conducting meaningful conversations. Using case studies, the class extended their database and made connections with the subject. After peering through multiple viewpoints on numerous concepts of the subject, we were asked to write a short essay on the topic: ‘To what extent is validation of knowledge necessary for information to be considered reliable.’ After taking into account of the claims and counterclaims, we used 2 areas of knowledge to justify our perspectives. By Samarth Chopra DP1 B

CAS -The academic year started off by sharing our ideas for CAS as to what possible activities can take place in Creativity, Activity and Service. Few engaging activities were conducted in the class for better understanding. We understood that CAS enables students to enhance their personal and interpersonal development by reciprocal learning through experience. A presentation was conducted in the class and we were introduced to the requirements of the CAS portfolio. By Tanmay Sehgal- DP1 A