Feel free to comment, especially if you’ve had the unfortune of surviving pre-IB.

The Pre-IB program is designed to give prospective IB students a taste of the academic torture program known as “International Baccalaureate”.  There are no elective pre-IB courses, but you have two electives for regular courses.  Oh, the horror!

Classes

1. * English A10 & English B10 *
2. French 10
3. History 10
4. * Math 10 & Math 20 & Math A30 *
5. Science 10

Only the classes in asterisks have the adjustment factor.

Adjustment Factor

The adjustment factor is a mathematical equation applied to your mark in the asterisked classes in pre-IB that increases your mark, if you’re above 50%.  (The adjustment factor is applied to all IB classes in Grade 11 and Grade 12)

If your mark is below or at 79.9%, take the mark and divide it by 0.9.

If your mark is above 79.9%, substitute the variable x in the following algebraical equation with your mark:

-0.027775(x-100)² + 100

Your mark can not go above 100% with the adjustment factor.

Your adjusted mark goes on your report card, not your IB class mark.  Teachers typically do not adjust the mark when they post the marks on the wall.

English

Pre-IB English is basically an overview of the history of English starting from before the existence of English to the Victorians.  If you’re lucky, you might even get to read part of the original version of Beowulf in all its non-English-ish glory.

But it isn’t that easy.  You also get to learn everything you wanted to know about English grammar and then some more.  You have fun writing short and long essays.  You learn the structure of the essay.

And you might even fail your first essay.  But don’t worry, the mark is weighted so it shouldn’t affect your mark too much.

The goal of pre-IB English is to allow students to develop the basic skills needed to compose essays with literary analysis. Don’t forget to learn about literary devices, writing styles, etc! Ask your teacher for a copy of the IB English Essay Rubric.

French

Depending on your teacher, pre-IB French progresses at the same rate as regular French.  If you have Mrs Fredericks, it should be quite a fun and enjoyable class.  (and you get to toss cats around!)

French revolves around the Discovering French textbook, which features stories every chapter about Armelle, Peter and Corinne — and there’s even video that you can watch!  The stories are… well, you’ll find out.

And most of all, do not spill orange juice on your French workbook.

The goal of pre-IB French is to review all your previous French knowledge so you have a sufficient knowledge base to approach IB French without significant difficulties. Remembering verbs and idioms are very important because they show that you have knowledge of the French language and culture.

History

The following is a guide to pre-IB WWI simulations, which will be done in history. (credit Taras M, aka Al Capone II)

Near the end of your pre-IB History class, you will be required to re-enact several conferences that happened before WWI. Your teacher, Mr Lord Kindrachuk, will make you randomly select a country. Here is how you should act based upon your country selection:

1. Great Britain: Your task is to preserve your navy and your empire. To do this, you must rely on your good friends France and Russia. Exhibit the most gentlemanly manners and the most driest wit possible.
2. France: Your task is to insult Germany as much as possible. In fact, start your speeches by remarking about the foul smell coming from the German side. Accuse them of anything, and plan to introduce a resolution renaming Germany the Cattle-Raping, Baby-Eating, Puppy-Killing, Cross-Burning, Pagan-Worshiping Satanical Abode From The Inner Circle of Hell. If asked to apologize, refuse. Regret nothing that you say! Nothing! Your allies will be the UK and Russia.
3. Germany: Your task is to dominate the world. You must repeatedly emphasize German military & industrial superiority. Find new markets for your goods. Mock France for their cowardice. Ensure that the German Reich (not the Third one) will triumph! Your ally will be Austria-Hungary.
4. Austria-Hungary: Your task is to regain Serbia at all costs. Emphasize how vulgar and uncivilized the Serbs are. Paint them as murderous thugs who’ll cause chaos in the Balkans if they get sovereignty. Your ally is Germany.
5. Russia: Your task is to get independence for Serbia and to gain some of the Ottoman Empire’s lands. You must paint Austria-Hungary as vile oppressors who enslave Serbs for evil purposes. Disguise your land grabbing as need to support Serbia. Your allies are UK & France.
6. Serbia: Hooray! You’re responsible for World War I! You will get completely destroyed when Lord Kindrachuk hands out the handout that says Franz Ferdinand was assassinated.  However, you should do fine until then if you argue for a route to the sea and try to prevent other countries from stopping your inevitable expansion.  Your main allies are France and Russia.
7. Ottoman Empire: If you are in the Ottoman Empire group, I really pity you.  You’ll get shut down at the conferences and no one likes you.  And your empire falls apart after WWI.  Try not to lose it before the war ends.  Your ally is basically Austria-Hungary.

Math

In order to finish 3 Math classes in one year, you have to finish Math 20 and Math A30 in Semester 2.  Oddly enough, you usually finish using the Math 10, 20, A30 and part of the B30 textbook in Semester 1.  Typically, Semester 1 focuses on algebra and Semester 2 involves a lot of hard, difficult and evil geometry.

However, I have heard that there is a change in the way that Math is structured, so presumably you will be forced to go the pre-Calculus route? I dunno, someone please confirm.

Your Pre-IB Math teacher should be Mr Slykhuis.  His middle name is James if he decides to spontaneously ask you about it.

Oh, I almost forgot.  The Waterloo Math Contest, which happens in Semester 2, gives you a chance to see how well you are doing in Math on a standardized exam.  Mr Slykhuis should give you a 1% bonus on your adjusted Math 20 and Math A30 marks.

The goal of pre-IB Math is to review what IB calls “Presumed Knowledge” and get you ready for the IB Math syllabus, which is extremely intense. For example, factoring is taught in Grade 10 so you have the required knowledge to approach limits questions in Grade 12.

Science

Multiple choice exams rear their ugly head in this class.

You should get a survey in Biology, Chemistry and a tad of Physics. There just isn’t enough time to split up Science into the three main braches, so that’s why there’s a focus on breadth rather than depth.

Something really important to learn in this class is experimental skills. In later grades, you will be assessed on how well you do the labs in class and how well your writeups are. Try to use original data whenever possible; avoid rewriting your data so it “looks better”.