The IB core

The IB core

The IB core consists of Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS), the Extended essay and Theory of Knowledge (TOK), which along with the Learner Profile enshrines the basic aims of the overall IB programme.

In order to gain the IB Diploma programme, candidates must successfully complete all three of these components.  While it is my experience that some IB students may be tempted to neglect the core components, particularly TOK and CAS and instead focus on their DP classes, it should be remembered that added together TOK and EE are worth up to three bonus points.  Upon graduation this could turn out to be the difference between attending a university of a student's choice or not.  Similarly, while no points are awarded for CAS, this programme is also a requirement of the Diploma. 

Direct access to each component of this section can be accessed via the following links:

The learner profile in economics

The IB has a mission statement which reads:The International Baccalaureate aims to develop enquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through...

Approaches to learning (ATLs)

Approaches to learning concerns the way knowledge is received. In order to receive information effectively the student must be capable of using the following skills: The IB document Approaches to teaching...

Approaches to teaching ATT

There are 6 key principles to the approaches to teaching of IB courses. These are:This does not of course mean that every lesson has to incorporate all of these components but over the completion of...

Teaching the command terms

Very often the difference between good teaching and really effective teaching is in teaching the command terms. As an IB economics teacher you will have been recruited because of the deep knowledge of...

Using the assessment objectives

As students’ learning lies at the heart of the written curriculum, IB teachers need to focus on achieving a balance between inquiry and subject teaching by developing engaging units of local and global...

Unit planners

Developing an effective unit planner requires lesson plans that ensure the alignment of the economics curriculum with the subject aims, objectives, content and assessment objectives, which put the learners...

Where economics fits in to the IB?

The economics course is part of the group 3 subjects, individuals and societies. Typically students interested in studying either economics or business management at university will choose to take the...

Links to TOK in economics

During your time as an economics teacher you may be asked to go into a TOK class and provide a mini-presentation on ways of knowing in economics. The subject provides an ideal platform for this and the...

Extended essay

The following page is designed for students as a guide to writing the extended essay in economics.Many of you will be aware of the extended essay and what it includes. The extended essay consists of a...

Selected Pages

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