IB Course Offerings at ERHS

IB Literature HL is the highest level honors/AP English course that a student can take at El Rancho High School. Through the study of a wide range of literature, the language A: literature course encourages students to appreciate the artistry of literature and to develop an ability to reflect critically on their reading. HL students will develop a deep understanding of content and writer’s technique. This is a two year course that spans both Junior & Senior year. 

Works Studied: 

• Hamlet 

• Collected Poems of Sylvia Plath

• The Handmaid’s Tale 

• Death of a Salesman 

• The Importance of Being Earnest 

• The Glass Menagerie

• Glengarry Glen Ross 

• I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings 

• Persepolis 

• The Alchemist

• A Doll’s House

• Candide

• Beloved

This class will provide you many opportunities to develop your language proficiency across the three modes of communication: Interpretive, Interpersonal, and Presentational. In this class we are going to continue developing your language proficiency primarily through authentic materials, both in written and spoken form. You will be offered numerous opportunities to practice with IB-type activities and tasks to help you succeed in the IB final exams taken at the end of your senior year. You will be assessed on IA’s and EA’s and it is important to fulfill both to receive your IB diploma. The topics and resources for this class have been purposely chosen to reflect the current reality, culture, and historical background of the diverse Spanish-speaking world. There will be an emphasis on how these issues are portrayed in the media and popular culture, and how they affect young people like you. Additionally, the IB Spanish HL curriculum has an international focus and aims to promote higher-order thinking skills.

Internal Assessment (35 min.)

A conversation with the teacher, based on an extract from one of the literary works studied in class, followed by discussion based on one or more of the themes from the syllabus. 

External Assessments (3:30 hrs.)

Paper 1

One writing task of 450–600 words 

Paper 2 

Comprehension exercises on three audio passages and three written texts, drawn from all five themes.

Literary Component

The study of two  literary works in the target language. 

Language B Standard Level (SL) is a language acquisition course for students with some previous experience of learning the language. While studying the language, students also explore the culture(s) connected with it. The main focus of this course is on language acquisition and development of language skills. These language skills will be developed through the study and use a range of themes. Five core themes are required: identities, experiences human ingenuity,social organization, and sharing the planet. Students will write cohesive essays and speak in participatory manner. Speaking will require students to explain and defend opinions, discuss abstract and concrete topics, and hypothesize on possible future events, history, and your own past and present. Students will also read a variety of texts such as articles, short novels, plays, poetry and short stories. The class is conducted entirely in Spanish and requires that you be independent, highly motivated, and take initiative for your language goals.

Internal Assessment (30 min.)

A conversation with the teacher, based on a visual stimulus, followed by discussion based on an additional theme.

External Assessments (3:00 hrs.)

Paper 1

One writing task of 250–400 

Paper 2

Comprehension exercises on three audio passages and three written texts, drawn from all five themes.

This HL History course is a 2-year history course based on a comparative and multi-perspective approach to history. It involves the study of a variety of types of history, including:

→ Political

→ Economic

→ Social and Cultural

The course emphasizes text analysis, transfer, and use of primary sources. 

Internal Assessment: Create a research paper for a historical topic of your choosing

Topics studied include:

US Imperialism

Mexican Revolution

World War I 

World War II

The Cold War

Vietnam War

IB Sports, Exercise and Health Science is a fast-paced, 1-year, standard level (SL) course that covers anatomy and physiology, biomechanics, nutrition, components of fitness, sports skills, principles of training, and research study design through the lens of sports and exercise. In addition to studying a range of core topics, students will carry out practical (experimental) investigations in both laboratory and field settings. This course provides a solid foundation for higher level courses and preparation for future jobs in the field of sports, fitness and health.

IB Biology is a year-long course that focuses on the core topics in biology including evolution, genetics, ecology and cell biology. It is a rigorously paced one-year science course with an Internal Assessment (IA) counting for a portion of the overall assessment along with the External Assessments in May that consist of both written response and multiple choice portions. The IA is a complete formal research laboratory investigation done completely independent of classwork by tht student. This project must be unique for each candidate and includes research, experimentation design, data collection, data analysis and statistics. It is a typed report due before the IAs in May. This course requires a high level of organization and time management, critical thinking and application of the scientific process as well as mathematical concepts and skills.

In all IB Science classes, students are expected to perform a cross-curricular experiment showing the application of multiple disciplines. This is done in groups or as a class.

This course is a two year course with the student taking either AP Calculus AB or AP Calculus BC for the first year. 

As stated in the IB Course description, the aims of this mathematics course are to enable students to:

• enjoy and develop an appreciation of the elegance and power of mathematics

• develop an understanding of the principles and nature of mathematics

• communicate clearly and confidently in a variety of contexts

• develop logical, critical and creative thinking, and patience and persistence in problem-solving

• employ and refine their powers of abstraction and generalization

• apply and transfer skills to alternative situations, to other areas of knowledge and to future developments

• appreciate how developments in technology and mathematics have influenced each other

• appreciate the moral, social and ethical implications arising from the work of mathematicians and the applications of mathematics

• appreciate the international dimension in mathematics through an awareness of the universality of mathematics and its multicultural and historical perspectives

• appreciate the contribution of mathematics to other disciplines, and as a particular “area of knowledge” in the TOK course

The course emphasizes the applied nature of the subject and is designed for students who wish to understand how mathematics relates to the real world and to other subjects.

The syllabus focuses on placing more emphasis on student understanding of fundamental concepts than on symbolic manipulation and complex manipulative skills, giving greater emphasis to developing the students’ mathematical reasoning rather than performing routine operations, solving mathematical problems embedded in a wide range of contexts or using the calculator effectively. There is an emphasis on applications of mathematics and statistical techniques. It is designed to offer students with varied mathematical backgrounds and abilities the opportunity to learn important concepts and techniques and to gain an understanding of a wide variety of mathematical topics, preparing them to solve problems in a variety of settings, develop more sophisticated mathematical reasoning and enhance their critical thinking.

The IB Visual Arts SL course enables students to engage in both practical exploration and artistic production, and in independent contextual, visual and critical investigation. The course is designed to enable students to study visual arts in higher education and also welcomes those students who seek life enrichment through visual arts. IB Visual Arts SL students will develop aesthetic, imaginative and creative skills through the study of art history. Regular research and studio work will provide the link between the students’ personal research and their studio work.

IB students have their choice of mediums - from traditional art materials to digital media and takes places within a studio setting.

Task 1: Comparative Study: 20%

Task 2: Process Portfolio: 40%

Task 3: Exhibition: 40%

Theory of knowledge is the ‘flagship course’ of the Diploma not only because it is unique, but also because it draws together all the knowledge that is learned in other courses, and questions the validity of what we think we know. Amongst other things, it seeks to do the following Theory of knowledge is the ‘flagship course’ of the Diploma not only because it is unique, but also because it draws together all the knowledge that is learned in other courses, and questions the validity of what we think we know. Amongst other things, it seeks to do the following:

• To help students to discover the richness of knowledge, and to realize how empowering knowledge can be.

• To examine how knowledge is built up, examined, and evaluated by individuals and societies.

• To reflect on how we learn – both inside and outside school – and to make links between the academic disciplines and our thoughts, feelings and actions.

• To reinforce the idea that there are many different ways of thinking and perspectives, and assumptions we have because of our cultural and individual positions may obscure the way we see the world.

• To suggest some of the responsibilities that may come with knowledge.

The Extended Essay (often called the EE) is an independent, 4000-word structured essay on a topic of your choice. Whether you love history, math, science, literature, art, or dance, you will have the opportunity to research a topic that interests you. Think of it as a passion project!

What does the EE include? The EE includes a research question, cover-page, table of contents, introduction, main body, conclusion, bibliography, and --very important-- 3 reflections from the beginning, middle, and the end of the research process.

Will I get any help? Yes! DP candidates are guided through the process by the EE Coordinator and an EE Supervisor (a teacher with expertise in the chosen subject).

What’s in it for me? The coveted IB Diploma! All Diploma candidates must successfully complete an extended essay in order to earn their IB Diploma. On top of that, you will develop research, thinking, self-management, and communication skills that will benefit you in college and beyond! 

Creativity is exploring and extending ideas, leading to an original or interpretive product or performance.  Music, theater, film, design technology, visual arts, dance, fashion and other experiences that involve creative thinking fall under creativity (for example, joining a choir or engaging with fashion design).

Activity is physical exertion contributing to a healthy lifestyle. Taking on a new sport or extending your ability (for example, with football, yoga, dance, aerobics classes, biking or hiking) counts as activity.

Service is collaborative and reciprocal community engagement in response to an authentic need. By investigating and identifying a community need, then determining a plan of action that respects the rights, dignity and autonomy of all involved (for example, reading to the aged or advocating for a cause), you are performing service.

Done weekly after school - One month long service project for 18 months  including summer and breaks.