Secondary Curriculum Overviews

Secondary English

English 6-8 follows an integrated English language arts curriculum with an emphasis on developing both the habits and the skills of successful readers and writers. Topics include fiction, drama, poetry, persuasive writing, media literacy, and research skills; vocabulary is taught as part of the reading curriculum, and grammar is taught as a component of the writing curriculum.

English 9 is a pre-IB course in writing and literature. Reading topics include Greek mythology, Shakespeare, and media literacy; writing topics include literary analysis, commentary, persuasion, and creative writing.

English 10 is a pre-IB course with a focus on the study of literature, composition, and language skills. Literature study includes novels, poetry, short fiction and drama (Shakespeare). Many types of writing are practiced in a variety of composition assignments.

IB Language A1 (English) seeks to enable students to approach literary works with intellectual maturity; to refine reading and writing skills; to engage with precision and clarity in the exchange of ideas and presentation of argument; and to foster lifelong habits of reading, writing, and thinking. Genres studied include poetry, drama, novels, short stories and essays.

IB English A: Language and Literature, which is a new IB course to be offered for the first time in 2011-2012, aims to develop students’ abilities to read, analyze, and produce a variety of literary and non-literary texts. Genres studied include the novel, poetry, drama, nonfiction, and visual texts such as posters, cartoons, and films.

IB English B is designed for students who have studied the English language for 2-5 years. The main focus of the course is on language acquisition and the development in the four primary language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Through use of a range of written and spoken material, students will learn how to communicate effectively in a number of situations and within various English-language cultures.

Math

Mathematics 6-8 follows an integrated mathematics curriculum aimed at preparing students for the IB Diploma programme. Topics covered include geometry, algebra, probability, basic number theory, and mathematical literacy.

Integrated Mathematics (Grade 9) prepares students to move into one of the three IB math tracks at Grade 11. The major content areas included in the scope of Integrated Mathematics are: Algebra, Geometry & Trigonometry, Statistics, Probability, and Measurement. The greatest amount of time is focused on Geometry, including triangles, Pythagorean theorem, trigonometry, coordinate geometry, transformations, and measurement – length, area and volume of geometric shapes and figures.

Pre-IB Mathematics (Grade 10) builds on Integrated Mathematics. The major content areas included in the scope of Pre-IB Mathematics are: Numbers and Sets (number systems, interval notation and Venn diagrams), Algebra (function notation, rational expressions, quadratic functions, and exponential and logarithmic functions), Geometry (congruence and similarity), Trigonometry (laws of sines and cosines), Statistics (surveys and measures of central tendency), and Probability.

IB Math Studies (Grades 11 & 12) is intended for students with varied backgrounds and abilities in mathematics. It is designed to build confidence and encourage an appreciation of mathematics in students who do not anticipate a need for mathematics in their future studies. Students taking this course need to be equipped with fundamental skills and a rudimentary knowledge of basic mathematical processes.

IB Math Standard Level (Grades 11 & 12) is intended for students who already possess knowledge of basic mathematical concepts, and who are equipped with the skills needed to apply simple mathematical techniques correctly. The majority of these students will expect to need a sound mathematical background as they prepare for future studies in subjects such as chemistry, economics, psychology and business administration.

IB Math Higher Level (Grades 11& 12) is intended for students with a good background in mathematics who are competent in a range of analytical and technical skills. The majority of these students will be expecting to include mathematics as a major component of their university studies, either as a subject in its own right or within courses such as physics, engineering and technology. Others may take this subject because they have a strong interest in mathematics and enjoy meeting its challenges and engaging with its problems.

Science

Science 6-9 are integrated courses in general science, split into multiple parts: biology, chemistry, earth science and physics. The courses focus on inquiry-based lab work, and scientific language in order to prepare students for the rigors of 10th grade and IB programs.

Grade 10 Science is an integrated course in general science, split into three parts: biology, chemistry, and physics. The course focuses on group lab work, including the writing of lab reports, to prepare students for the IB Diploma Programme.

IB Biology is a two-year course focusing on cell study, statistical analysis, basic chemistry, genetics, ecology, evolution, and botany.

IB Chemistry is a two-year course focusing on quantitative chemistry, atomic theory, periodic trends, bonding, energetic, kinetics, equilibrium, acids, bases, oxidation reactions, reduction reactions, and organic chemistry.

Social Studies

Grade 6 Geography provides students with the opportunity to acquire an understanding of geography in both physical and human terms and to enhance their global understanding through an analysis of social, economic, political, military, religious, environmental, scientific, and cultural events that have shaped and influenced the planet and human culture. Students will focus on Japan, China, Korea, and India.

Grade 7 History ancient History provides students with the opportunity to acquire an understanding of world history and the humanities from the dawn of humanity to Ancient Rome. Ancient History encourages students to explore the contributions of previous human accomplishments and endeavors as they relate to modern life in order to build a foundation for future historical inquiry and cultural literacy.

Grade 8 Geography provides students with the opportunity to acquire an understanding of geography in both physical and human terms and to enhance their global understanding through an analysis of social, economic, political, military, religious, environmental, scientific, and cultural events that have shaped and influenced the planet and human culture. Students will focus on the Western Hemisphere and Oceania.

Grade 9 Human Geography encourages students to explore the contributions of and impacts from human activities and endeavors as they relate to modern life in order to build a foundation for future historical inquiry as well as be educated adults contributing to an increasingly global economy. Students should gain an understanding of the methodology of the study of geography and sociology through primary and secondary source research, data collection, evaluation and interpretation.

History 10, “Foundations of the Modern World,” is a pre-IB history in which students analyze the transformations undergone by the world from the medieval period to the nineteenth century. Pre-19th century topics are Europe-focused and include the Renaissance, Reformation, Age of Exploration, and Enlightenment; the 19th century is Asia-focused, and students study the experiences of China, Korea, and Japan in an industrial and imperialist age.

IB History follows the IB Route 2 curriculum: Our prescribed topic is Topic 1: Peacemaking, Peacekeeping, and International Relations, 1918-1936, and our two additional topics are Topic 4 (Causes, Practices, and Effects of Wars) and Topic 9 (The Cold War). Year 1 traces European and Asian countries from World War I through the end of World War II, with a special emphasis on World War II in the Asian/Pacific theater, while in Year 2, students focus on topics relating to the post-war period, such as the Korean War, the Cuban Revolution, and the Vietnam War.

Model United Nations is an internationally recognized program in which students research current world issues and attend conferences to develop solutions. FISMUN students travel to Seoul, South Korea, every November to participate in SEOMUN, an English-language Model United Nations conference attended by schools across East Asia. MUN helps students develop research skills, critical thinking skills, writing skills, and public speaking skills, which are cross-curricular skills applicable in many other classes. In addition to helping students develop skills in research, critical thinking, writing, and public speaking, MUN helps students become better global citizens prepared to take on leadership roles in an exciting and international future.

IB Information Technology in a Global Society encourages students to think about the role played by technology in the fields of business and employment, education and training, environment, health, home and leisure, and politics and government. Emphasis is placed on the social and ethical implications of technology, such as privacy, surveillance, intellectual property, and the digital divide: although this is not a computer science course, students learn basic programming skills such as database programming and HTML.

Grade 11-12 Theory of Knowledge is central to the educational philosophy of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. It challenges students to reflect critically on diverse ways of knowing and areas of knowledge, encouraging students to become aware of themselves as thinkers, to become aware of the complexity of knowledge, and to recognize the need to act responsibly in an increasingly interconnected world.

Secondary Japanese

Japanese as a Native Language (JNL) G6-8 is designed for students whose first language is Japanese or whose language skills are at the native level. The materials are mostly from Japanese textbooks and topics include poetry, persuasive writing, fiction, discussion and research skills and grammar; Kanji is studied at individual level and tested frequently.

Japanese as a Second Language (JSL) G6-8 is a course for students whose primary language is other than Japanese. It is to develop and expand speaking, listening, reading and writing skills in the Japanese language. This course provides students opportunities to understand and use the language in order to communicate with others in various situations and to gain knowledge about Japanese culture and reflect on their own culture.

Japanese as a Native Language (JNL) G9-10 is designed for students whose first language is Japanese or whose language skills are at the native level. Students read various reading materials that include fiction, drama, poetry, newspaper columns and so on. The focus is on developing vocabulary, strong reading and writing skills. Students also develop various skills through research and presentation as well as debate.

Japanese as a Second Language (JSL) G9-10 is designed for students whose first language is other than Japanese and who have the desire to develop their Japanese language skills further for their personal pleasure and/or future studies. The language proficiency level of the students varies.

IB Japanese ab-initio is designed for students who have little or no previous experience in the Japanese language. The main focus is on communication through the use of the target language in everyday situations and related aspects of the culture.

IB Japanese B (HL and SL) is designed for students who have studied the Japanese language for 2-5 years. The main focus of the course is on language acquisition and the development in the four primary language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Through use of a range of written and spoken material, students will learn how to communicate effectively in a number of situations and within the Japanese culture.

IB Japanese A2 (HL and SL) is designed for students with a high level of competence in Japanese language, and can be studied at either higher level or standard level. The main focus of the course is on language development and refinement include the analysis and use of language appropriate in particular contexts. Students will be exposed to a wide range of texts such as novels, short stories, speeches, cartoons, advertisements and news reports and so on.

Secondary French

French provides students the opportunity to learn the basal rudiments of the French language with a major focus on essential vocabulary needed to communicate in everyday life enabling them to express themselves in practical situations.