ICS inter-community school zurich

Grade 10 curriculum

You can read the full Grade 10 Curriculum Guide here or download the Grade 10 curriculum here or see the individual subject summaries below.

 

In Grade 10, students study Language A (usually English), Language B (usually German), Mathematics, Sciences, Humanities, Technology, one or two Arts subjects (it's one if they are also studying a third language),and Physical Education. In addition, there are optional subjects that they can take, depending on interest and on the subjects they need in preparation for moving on to the IB Diploma Programme.

Language A English 
Students in Grade 10 English explore literature and language through four u nits: Drama, Short Stories, Poetry and a Comparative Novel Study. Students focus on written and oral language skills throughout the year. Assessment takes a variety of forms including essays, presentations, creative tasks and reflections.

Language A German 
In the Mother Tongue Group, the students read age –appropriate texts relating to topics of interest. The students cover a wide range of vocabulary and grammatical structures, which they are able to use with ease, flair and creativity when speaking and writing.

Language B German 
In the Foundation course, students learn basic grammar, vocabulary, simple text writing and reading comprehension. The language is taught through topics reflecting students’ interests in their environment. The Standard course will build on the previous year’s knowledge, using more difficult texts and enabling the students to extend their vocabulary and knowledge of grammar and sentences structure. In the Advanced group, students will build on the previous year’s knowledge and read more difficult texts relevant for their age, develop a more sophisticated way of expressing themselves and discuss age-appropriate topics.

Language B Spanish 
In the Advanced group, students will build on the previous year’s knowledge and read more difficult texts relevant for their age and develop a more sophisticated way of expressing themselves, when discussing relevant topics.

Language B French 
In the Advanced group, students will build on the previous year’s knowledge and read more difficult texts relevant for their age and develop a more sophisticated way of expressing themselves, when discussing relevant topics.

Maths (standard and extended) 
Grade 10 students further develop the Mathematics skills and processes learned in Grade 9.  Standard Level content areas are Geometry and Trigonometry, Algebra, Number, Statistics and Probability and Discrete Mathematics.  Students in Grade 10 Standard Mathematics are preparing for IB Diploma Mathematics at the Studies or Standard Level.    Mathematics is also offered at the Extended Level in Grade 10.  Students in Extended Mathematics study Matrices, Algebra, Trigonometry, Functions, Probability and Statistics.  Students in Grade 10 Extended Mathematics are preparing for IB Diploma Mathematics at the Standard or Higher Level.

Sciences 
In grade 10 Science students are introduced to Physics, Chemistry and Biology as individual disciplines. The focus is a preparation for IB single sciences and for students to gain an idea of the content of the individual disciplines. We continue with experimentation through investigations. Students explore environmental issues of our time and investigate how science can help resolve them. Assessment may be by submission of labs, short essays and tests.

Humanities 
The Humanities course aims to provide a bridge between the MYP and Diploma Courses. The students are taught research, mapping and graphing skills they will need in Economics and Geography. The content of the course provides the underpinning for these Diploma courses by studying The CBD of Zurich, Tropical Ecosystems and Development. In addition, we provide the background to the Diploma History course by studying The unification of Germany and the Causes of World War One.

Drama 
Drama 10 consolidates production and performance skills for the students.  They begin with a world study of Greek Theatre; using research to inform the writing of a traditional tragic script and then developing the performance incorporating music, dance, chorus and mask.  A production unit based on The Crucible has students develop script analysis skills as well as use research to design the visual elements of the show.  The final unit on Stanislavsky and production sees students synthesizing all of their knowledge and skills into one performance.

Visual Arts 
The 10th grade curriculum further prepares students for entry into the IB diploma program. 2D Visual Art will initially study the self-portrait. To accompany learning through drawing themselves in different media, students will research the different aspects of self-portraiture by looking at the work of Frida Kahlo, Francis Bacon, Lucian Freud and others. 3D Visual Art begins with work with soapstone to create a piece inspired by the shapes created as rock is eroded away by water and wind. Students investigate the surface of the things around us, using photography then through drawing; the captured images are used to inform art made using various printing techniques.

Physical Education 
The Grade 10 PE course is an option based course.  Each unit the students choose one of three sports to take part in.  The sports covered are: Softball, Soccer, Ultimate Frisbee, Tennis, Badminton, Volleyball, Uni-hockey, Gymnastics, Basketball, and Step Aerobics.  In one of the units, the students are responsible for leading the class in a warm-up and drills related to the chosen sport.  All of the students must take part in the fitness unit in which they discuss the concepts behind building a proper fitness program.  By the end of the unit, the students will design a fitness program which meets their own needs and they will put it into practice during PE classes.

Grade 10 options courses

International Relations 
The focus of international relations is to familiarise students with a framework for understanding the perspectives, behaviours, and decision-making processes of governments, international organisations and other national and sub-national groups. Major areas to be covered include: theories of international relations, the United Nations, terrorism, conflict and peace, genocide and war and human rights and international law.

Business and Enterprise 
The aim of the Year 10 Business and Enterprise course is to teach basic business and enterprise concepts and skills via the Business at School Program run by the Boston Consultancy Group (BCG) here in Zurich. In teams, students get involved with the business world, and get first-hand experience of researching and evaluating businesses. The program consists of a total of three phases. Each phase is concluded by a final presentation, which lasts approximately fifteen minutes, plus ten minutes of questioning by a jury. The jury, consisting of four eminent business experts, then decides on a winning team for each phase. The winners of Phase III go on to participate in the regional final of Business@School, and if they win this stage they have the chance to go to Munich to participate in the European final.

Global Issues 
Using JF Rischard’s book 20 Global Issues and 20 Years to Solve Them, students develop their knowledge and understanding of global issues affecting people, places and laws.  Students are challenged to critically evaluate the roles of governments, non-government organisations and individuals.  Throughout the course, students must actively take part in developing creative, meaningful and possible solutions to global issues.

Outdoor Education and Leadership 
The Outdoor Education and Leadership course is designed to improve students’ personal skills in the outdoors as well as their leadership skills.  The course is 80% practical, 20% theory.  The course units include Kayaking, Rock Climbing, Navigation, First Aid and Urban Leadership. Students are assessed on their skills, organisation, communication, planning and group management.

Maths Investigations 
The purpose of Mathematics Investigations is to help students understand how mathematics can be used to describe interesting natural phenomena and a variety of human activities.  Students also learn about the development and application of mathematics over the ages.  When they are finished they will understand the difference between pure mathematics, which is studied for its own sake and applied mathematics which is studied for its usefulness.  The method of instruction is inquiry.  Topics include Probability (studied through games of chance), Mathematical Modelling, Spherical Geometry, Statistical Inference and the practical use of Logarithms. 

Journalism 
This course is divided into three main categories: photography, design and copy writing. Students are introduced to, and taught how to use the programmes in the Adobe Suite package: Photoshop and Indesign. They are also taught the skills of good copy writing for newspapers. Throughout the year, students produce three ICS newspapers (‘Fusion’) and work towards producing the final edition entirely themselves. They are assessed on their photography, design  and copy writing skills.

Introduction to Biomedical and Physical Sciences 
This course is a challenging introduction to the physical concepts needed to understand the functioning and malfunctioning of the human body. The students will be involved in applying this understanding and knowledge to a wide range of learning tasks such as empirical and literature research and will learn the skills of disciplined inquiry.