IB Diploma Programme News
March 2021
Inside this issue
- "Back in School Night"- tonight.
- Teacher spotlight- Mrs. Rackley-Rio
- May Exams
- Scheduling meetings- 11th graders, 12th graders
- Back By Popular Demand- IB Cooking Class- Baking with Blosser
Back in School Night
Tonight, March 2 is Jayem's virtual "Back in School" Night. Students and families may visit with and learn about student classes by following their daily schedule.
Meeting details and links are available on each teacher's Canvas page.
Teacher Spotlight- Mrs. Rackley-Rio
Q: How long have you been teaching at Jayem and which classes do you teach?
A: 19 years, US history, AP US History, IB History, for a hot second: Gov & WHI
A: I have a dry sense of humor. Over the computer, nothing is funny, even in a wry/ironic sense.
Q: Which attribute of the IB Learner Profile do you most identify with? (Reflective, Open-minded, Inquirers, Caring, Risk-taker, Principled, Communicators, Knowledgeable, Balanced, Thinkers)
A: Definitely a thinker. I love ideas. I love knowledge. I enjoy the why of things.
Q: What is your favorite unit, lesson, or activity?
A: In a normal year I throw a Cold War “Cocktail” Party with Shirley Temples. We dress up as world leaders, spies, notorious figures from history and get graded by how well we stay in character.
Q. Briefly describe your IB course. What is the aim of the course, what are the assessments like?
A: IB History is split over 2 years. In year 1 (HOA), we learn about colonization, independence movements and the Civil War. The goal is to learn how to do history—how to be a historian and develop your own historiography. In year 2 (20C), we apply all of these skills by exploring about both world wars, the Cold War and then compare Civil Rights in the US to the Antiapartheid Movement in South Africa.
Q: What do you think is the most valuable feature of the IB and why?
A: It is more of a “team sport” than AP and because it is taught over two years, we get to do the heavy lifting as juniors, then once you are comfortable with the skills and expectations, learn for the joy of learning as seniors. 20C is my happy place because we all know each other really well by that point.
Q: If you won the teacher lottery, and could buy any one thing for your classroom or instruction, what would it be and why?
A: A room sized comfort foam mat to walk upon. I am not the kind of teacher who sits down. I am always bouncing around the room. The “front” is wherever I feel like standing at the moment. These concrete floors are killing me.
Q: Words of wisdom for IB Students
1. A: It is not that serious. Why take a class if you can automatically get an A? Take something that is going to challenge you and relish the challenge because it will make you grow and be a better version of yourself. As long as you are improving, life is fantastic and you can’t ask more of yourself. There is no such thing as a bad grade—those perceived as bad just who you where you need to put your effort and is only 1/10 of a second in the grand scheme of your life. Take note, learn from it, get better and move on. Grades don’t make your value or likability as a person.
May Exams for JM will be in-person
Because FCPS has been able to reopen the school for in-person instruction, we WILL hold in-person IB exams (and AP exams for those who care- more on that to come from AP Teachers).
The IB has established a dual path model for May 2021 exams/IB scores. Fully virtual schools will use Internal Assessment scores and teacher's predicted grades. This gets super complicated and a bit controversial, so we're just glad we're an "Exam Route" school.
"End of Year" Meetings
Look for invitations from Mr. Pope to meet to discuss the end of the 2020-21 school year and plan for next year.
Junior meetings will be scheduled for March and will focus on planning their course of studies for senior year.
Senior meetings will be scheduled for April and will focus on exam prep and score reporting to colleges.
Back by popular demand: IB Cooking Class- Baking with Mr. Blosser
Join Mr. Blosser on March 10 to make Brown Butter and Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookies. These are an international favorite!
Virtual invite sent through Teams.
Ingredients and recipe are attached below.
Wednesday, Mar 10, 2021, 07:00 PM
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RSVPs are enabled for this event.