September 2013 Entry

Tonbridge Grammar School SIXTH FORM INDUCTION INFORMATION 2013

This document contains summer tasks for subjects being offered at Tonbridge Grammar School Sixth Form in September 2013. Summer reading and research will give you a head start in your studies. You may be asked to read around a subject, watch a film, go on a visit or read a book. This is preparation for which you will have more time than that available during term-time. Students in previous years have found it very useful to have extra insight and background to their courses. When you read or watch a film, keep a brief record of what you have done to discuss in your first lessons. Please contact the Sixth Form Team via Mrs Gailey should you have any questions (Tel No: 01732 365125). Best wishes for a pleasant summer.

Mr Barker Director of Sixth Form

September 2013 Entry

BIOLOGY

Task 1: Poster - Cell Structure IB (Standard and Higher) Research the ultrastructure of the cell and present your research as an A4 poster. The structure and function of cell organelles (e.g. mitochondria, chloroplasts, Golgi apparatus, etc) should be described. A fully labelled and annotated diagram of cell ultrastructure is one approach but other imaginative means of presentation are welcome! Task 2: Visit If you would like to have a day out to visit an attraction here are some suggestions with biological links: The Old Operating Theatre near London Bridge is good for those interested in the history of medicine http://www.thegarret.org.uk/opening.htm The Natural History Museum, Knightsbridge has the most wonderful exhibitions, as well as world class collections of a broad range of organisms http://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit-us/ Charles Darwin’s home is suitable if you want to learn a bit about how Darwin developed his theory of evolution by natural selection http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/home-of-charles-darwin-down-house/

CHEMISTRY

Towards the end of the holiday, attempt the questions provided and bring them in to your first lesson. These questions will be about writing balanced equations, using moles and calculating concentrations. You should be able to answer most of them from your GCSE work, and by using a Periodic Table (accessible in your student planner or from the Internet), but you might need to consult a textbook if you get stuck! They are not all meant to be easy! 1. Explain what the term relative atomic mass (Ar) means. 2. Explain what the term relative molecular mass (Mr) means. 3. Write down the Ar of each element, using only the information given below:

a) An atom of silver is nine times as heavy as an atom of carbon-12. b) An atom of magnesium is twice as heavy as an atom of carbon-12. c) An atom of hydrogen is one-twelfth the mass of an atom of carbon-12. d) An atom of silicon is 2.333 times as heavy as an atom of carbon-12.

4. Work out the Mr for each of the following compounds:

a) Methane, CH4 b) Sodium chloride, NaCI c) Sodium hydroxide, NaOH d) Aluminium chloride, AICI3 e) Nitric acid, HNO3

5. Calculate the percentage by mass of each element in the following compounds. Give

the answers to one decimal place. a) Ca(OH)2 b) CuSO4,5H20 c) NH4NO3

September 2013 Entry

REMEMBER: When the number of grams of a substance is equal to its Ar or Mr, there are 6.02 x 1023 particles of the substance present. A mole is the amount of any substance that contains 6.02 x 1023 particles. 6. Calculate the number of a) sulphur atoms in 64g of sulphur b) oxygen atoms in 22g of carbon dioxide c) magnesium atoms in 0.01 moles of magnesium 7. Calculate the mass in grams of: a) 2 moles of calcium metal, Ca b) 0.5 moles of magnesium metal, Mg c) 1 mole of iodine, 12 d) 0.1 moles of sulphur, S8 e) 0.25 moles of calcium carbonate, CaCO3 8. Calculate the number of moles in: a) 14g of silicon b) 10.8g of silver c) 1.2g of carbon d) 31g of phosphorus, P4

e) 0.56g of calcium oxide, CaO 9. Calculate the concentration of each solution in mol dm3. You are given the mass of solute dissolving in a certain volume of solvent. a) 3.65g of HCI in 1 dm3 b) 0.98g of H2SO4 in 1 dm3 c) 9.5g of MgCI2 in 0.5 dm3

d) 14.9g of KCI in 2 dm3 e) 0.4g of NaOH in 100 cm3 10. Write balanced equations for these reactions: a) Calcium metal and chlorine gas reacting to give calcium chloride b) Copper metal and oxygen gas reacting to give copper (II) oxide c) Magnesium metal and solid sulphur reacting to give magnesium sulphide d) Carbon and carbon dioxide reacting to give carbon monoxide

e) Carbon and steam reacting to give hydrogen and carbon monoxide

11. Calculate the mass of magnesium oxide produced when 2.4g of magnesium is burnt in air.

12. Calculate the mass of iron produced from 110g of iron (III) oxide by the reaction: Fe2O3 + 3CO -------------- 2Fe + 3CO2

September 2013 Entry

CLASSICAL GREEK & ROMAN STUDIES 1. Visit a classical site/museum, for example Verulamium (St. Albans), Lullingstone Roman

Villa or Bignor Roman villa. 2. Watch as many classical films and television programmes as you can. 3. Read the Odyssey or the Iliad by Homer (Penguin translation) (available from local

libraries and bookshops). 4. Read any book on Greek myths (a children’s book would be fine).

COMPUTER SCIENCE Object Orientated Programming Download and install the Greenfoot programming environment (free) from: http://www.greenfoot.org We would like you to work through the “Joy of Code” video tutorials produced by Michael Kölling in “Mik’s Blog”: http://blogs.kent.ac.uk/mik/category/joy-of-code/ Go as far as you need with the tutorials to enable you to create your own program. There are plenty of examples on the Greenfoot site to give you ideas. We will have a “show and tell” session in your first lesson in which you can demonstrate and talk about your program.

DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY Visit one of the following:

Design Museum: www.designmuseum.org

V&A Museum: www.vam.ac.uk Speak to people and develop an awareness of products that they like or strongly dislike. You will be presenting your example of a ‘good’ design and a ‘bad’ design in one of the first lessons to your classmates in year 12. It can include products, graphical design, music, web design etc. Try to become more design aware by looking through magazines and publications (‘Design Week’, ‘Blueprint’, ‘Creative Review’, ‘Icon’, ‘Stuff’) or by collecting articles of interest from newspapers.

ECONOMICS

1. Look at the Sunday financial/economic review from a broadsheet newspaper such as The Independent, The Times or The Financial Times (Saturday). Alternatively, you can look at the economic and financial news on the BBC Online Business website (www.bbc.co.uk/news) -the economy section, the Economist website (www.economist.com), or the website of any of the broadsheet newspapers. Choose three economics stories that particularly interest you and keep the cutting or printout to bring into class.

September 2013 Entry

2. Try to watch the business news or listen to Radio 4 Today Programme at least once a week. Channel 4 news at 7pm often has an interesting approach to economic news stories.

3. Find out what the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) does, who is the Chairman and

how often it meets. Find out what the ECB stands for and what it does.

4. Find out what the following organisations do: The WTO (www.wto.org), the World Bank (www.worldbank.org), the IMF (www.imf.org) and The Department for International Development (www.dfid.gov.uk).

5. If you would like some reading on what economics is about try dipping into one of the

lively books published recently such as Freakanomics by Levitt and Dubner, The Undercover economist by Tim Harford; Free Lunch by David Smith; 23 Things they don’t tell you about Capitalism by Ha-Joon Chang; So you think you know about Britain by Danny Dorling and 30 Second Economics by Donald Marron.

Tune in to BBC Radio 4 Analysis; Transcripts of these programmes are available to read on the BBC’s website. Available in our school library are these recommended reads: Guide to Economic Indicators by The Economist, The Affluent Society by J.K. Galbraith , AS/A-Level Economics – Essential Word Dictionary John Hearn, The Penguin Dictionary of Economics by G. Bannock and New Ideas from Dead Economists by Todd G. Bucholz pub. You may borrow these books in September.

ENGLISH (LITERATURE) All IB English classes, Higher and Standard, will begin in September with a study of the graphic novel “Maus” by Art Spiegelman. Students are to have read the book by the beginning of the new year and to write an essay entitled “To what extent is ‘Maus’ as much about Art as it is about Vladek?” This essay, maximum 500 words, is to be brought to school ready to hand in during the first English lesson. Students are also encouraged to read as wide a variety of books as possible, including World Literature texts.

ENGLISH (LITERATURE & PERFORMANCE) The focus of this course will be the transformation of poetry and prose into drama, so you should try to see a few theatrical productions based on texts in other forms, such as “War Horse,” “The 39 Steps” and “The Woman in Black.” Reading List This follows below. It may be useful to guide your reading this summer. Of course, we will not expect you to have read your way through it – but you should note that the students who do best in any kind of English course are well read. All students will be required to give a five-minute presentation on a book of their choice (from the recommended reading list) during the first few weeks of the Autumn Term. LOGIC Resources As well as the general LOGIC stock, there is a shelf stocked with items bought specifically for Sixth Form English students. Ask Mrs Hull for help if you cannot locate it. You will find books here which are designed to support your courses.

September 2013 Entry

Subscription to the English Review Early in the Autumn Term you will be given the opportunity to subscribe to “The English Review”, a publication specifically designed for students of your age. Consider carefully if you would like to subscribe. TGS ENGLISH DEPARTMENT SIXTH FORM READING LIST The list of books that follows is by no means a comprehensive guide to the best of modern fiction but each book has been recommended by either a member of the English department or a sixth form English student. You are also advised to read as wide a variety of ‘classic’ fiction (including twentieth-century writers) by as many different writers as possible. The more extensive and developed your reading habit, the easier and more rewarding studying English Literature in the IB will be. Ackroyd, Peter Hawksmoor The English Muse Alexie, Sherman Indian Killer The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven Ali, Monica Brick Lane Attwood, Margaret Alias Grace The Handmaid’s Tale Banks, Iain The Wasp Factory Barker, Pat Regeneration The Eye in the Door The Ghost Road Barnes, Julian A History of the World in 10½ Chapters Talking It Over Bellow, Saul Herzog Bradbury, Malcolm The History Man Brittain, Vera Testament of Youth Burgess, Anthony The Malayan Trilogy Carter, Angela The Magic Toyshop Wise Children De Bernieres, Louis Captain Corelli’s Mandolin Doyle, Roddy The Woman Who Walked Into Doors Faulks, Sebastian Birdsong Fowles, John The French Lieutenant’s Woman The Magus Gale, Patrick Friendly Fire The Facts of Life Graves, Robert I, Claudius Irving, John The Cider House Rules A Son of the Circus Ishigura, Kazuo The Remains of the Day Never Let Me Go Jones, Edward The Known World Kesey, Ken One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest Kneale, Matthew English Passengers Kureishi, Hanif The Buddha of Suburbia Lodge, David Changing Places McEwan, Ian The Comfort of Strangers The Cement Garden Enduring Love Mitchell, David Cloud Atlas

September 2013 Entry

Number 9 Dream Mo, Timothy An Insular Possession Morrison, Toni Tar Baby Beloved Nye, Robert The Voyage of the Destiny Roberts, Michele Fair Exchange The Wild Girl Scott, Paul Staying On Jewel in the Crown Quartet Shakespeare, N. Snowleg Smiley, Jane A Thousand Acres Smith, Zadie White Teeth Walker, Alice The Color Purple Weldon, Fay Life and Loves of a She-Devil Welsh, Irving Trainspotting Zimler, Richard Guardian of the Dawn Hunting Midnight Books from other countries Achebe, Chinua Things Fall Apart Allende, Isabel The House of the Spirits Ba, Mariama Scarlet Song So Long a Letter Brink, Andre An Instant in the Wind A Dry White Season Carey, Peter Oscar and Lucinda Chang, Jung Wild Swans Coetzee, J.M. Disgrace The Life and Times of Michael K. Waiting for the Barbarians Kingsolver, Barbara The Poisonwood Bible Kundera, Milan The Unbearable Lightness of Being The Joke Levi, Primo If This Is A Man Maas, Sharon Peacocks Dancing Malouf, David Remembering Babylon Marquez, G. G. Chronicle of a Death Foretold

Love in the Time of Cholera One Hundred Years of Solitude Murakami, Haruki Dance, Dance, Dance The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle Norwegian Wood Nabokov, Vladimir Lolita Naipaul, V.S. A House for Mr Biswas The Mimic Men Ngugi, wa Thiong’o The River Between Oe, Kenzaburo The Silent Cry Ondaatje, Michael The English Patient Anil’s Ghost Roy, Arundhati The God of Small Things Soueif, Ahdaf The Map of Love Tan, Amy The Joy Luck Club

September 2013 Entry

FRENCH

The transition from GCSE to IB higher and standard levels can be a challenge for Y12 students. Here are some things that you could do over the summer to help you get your French studies off to a flying start in September:

1. Watch French language television (TF1, TV5 Europe)

2. Rent DVDs such as Jean de Florette, Manon des Sources, Lucie Aubrac, Amélie, Le Bossu, Cyrano, Les Choristes, Entre Les Murs, Bonjour Tristesse, Le Petit Nicolas

3. Listen to French language radio and podcasts. (France Inter, Europe 1)

4. Read French magazines. (Paris-Match, Ca m’intéresse, Phosphore, Okapi) and try and get information on the core topics you will be studying in Year 12 and 13 : Les relations sociales, Les communications et médias, Les questions mondiales

5. Revise your GCSE grammar thoroughly - a sound base of knowledge is essential.

Le présent et l’impératif The present and the imperative

Les verbes pronominaux Reflexive verbs

Le passé composé The perfect tense

L’imparfait The imperfect

Le futur simple The simple future

Le conditionnel The conditional

Le négatif The negative

Les noms et les genres Nouns and genders

L’accord et la position des adjectifs

Agreement and position of adjectives

Les adverbes Adverbs

Les pronoms personnels Personal pronouns

Les pronoms relatifs Relative pronouns

6. Look for useful French internet sites. Here are some good places to start: www.languagesonline.org.uk (grammar revision)

www.sitespourenfants.com

www.liensutiles.com

www.infosjeunes.com

www.lesclesjunior.com

7. Literature:

Higher level students will be required to read the following books in Year 12 and 13, and we would like you to start reading the first one (Art) during the summer;

Art, de Yasmina Reza (théâtre / monologue / amitiés)

Oscar et la dame en rose, d’Eric- Emmanuel Schmitt (Histoire touchante de

Oscar qui meurt : la dame en rose change ses 10 derniers jours ; chaque jour

dure un an)

Bonjour Tristesse, de Françoise Sagan (adolescence en rébellion dans les

années 60, drame familial)

Le silence de la mer, de Vercors (une nouvelle abordant des thèmes centraux sur la vie et la guerre)

September 2013 Entry

Standard level students will be asked to read the second book (Oscar et la dame en rose, d’Eric- Emmanuel Schmitt) and we would like you to start reading this during the summer.

8. Recommended books:

Grammar book: Action grammaire (Hodder & Stoughton): ISBN 0-340-63166-X

large French bi-lingual dictionary (Collins Robert)

Subscription to Authentik magazine (organised by TGS)

9. Persuade your parents to take you on holiday to France or any French-speaking country!

GEOGRAPHY

Keep GCSE notes and re read - rivers, development, population, tectonics.

Read quality newspapers & keep clippings on - population, resources, development, globalisation, flooding, earthquakes, volcanoes, hurricanes

GERMAN

The transition from GCSE to IB higher and standard levels can be a challenge for Y12 students. Here are some things that you could do over the summer to help you get your German studies off to a flying start in September:

Watch German language television (3SAT, ARTE)

Rent DVDs such as “Goodbye Lenin”, “Lola Rennt”, “The Educators”, “Sophie Scholl”, “The Lives of Others”, “The reader”.

Listen to German language radio and podcasts. (Deustchewelle, Spiegel, dw-world)

Read German magazines. (Stern) and try and get information on the core topics you will be studying in Year 12 and 13 : social relationships, media and global issues

Revise your GCSE grammar thoroughly - a sound base of knowledge is essential (Gender of nouns, regular and irregular verbs, cases, word order, modal verbs, subordinating conjunctions)

Look for useful German internet sites. Here are some good places to start:

www.languagesonline.org.uk (grammar revision)

www.spiegel.de

www.dw-world.de

http://youtube.com/deutschewelle

Literature:

Higher level students will be required to read the following books in Year 12 and 13, and we would like you to start reading the first one (Der Vorleser) during the summer;

Der Vorleser, Bernhard Schlink

Die Verwandlung, Franz Kafka

Standard level students will be asked to read the first book (Der Vorleser) and we would like you to start reading this during the summer.

September 2013 Entry

Recommended books:

Grammar book: Aktion Grammatik (Hodder & Stoughton): ISBN 0-340-63166-X

Large German bi-lingual dictionary (Collins Robert)

Subscription to Authentik magazine (organised by TGS)

Persuade your parents to take you on holiday to Germany, Austria or Switzerland!

HISTORY

IB – Standard Level

1. Try to visit the Imperial War Museum, focusing on displays about events after 1945. 2. Try to read one of Ian Fleming's James Bond novels - they are different to the films - to get a feel for the importance of espionage during the Cold War. Or read Le Carré: The Spy who came in from the Cold 3. Research the Berlin Wall - when and why was it built? How did people try to get over/through it? 4. Produce a factfile on one of the key people in the early years of the Cold War. Choose from F.D.Roosevelt, Stalin or Churchill.

IB – Higher Level Prepare a display for the classroom to hand in on your very first lesson. Use the Internet or local library for information. Your display will be 5-6 pieces of A4 (one side only), font size 16 minimum. 1. A map of your country (see chart below) 2. Key facts about your country in 2009 or later (population, climate, agriculture, industry,

religions). 3. Basic History Timeline 1492 – 1995: 20 key events as a timeline. You could also write to your country’s Embassy (in London) for information.

ITALIAN (ab initio) IB Begin to immerse yourself in your chosen new language by using this website: www.bbc.co.uk/languages/italian/ Look out for programmes about Italy on television. If possible, watch Italian television programmes on satellite television.

If your birthday is in: Your country is: Jan / Feb Cuba Mar / April Peru May / June Mexico July Nicaragua August Chile Sept / Oct Brazil

Nov / Dec Argentina

September 2013 Entry

LATIN 1. Revisit your GCSE vocab list and grammar booklet before September. 2. Download and start learning the AS vocabulary list (even though you’re an IB student,

this is still a vital thing to do), available at: http://www.ocr.org.uk/download/sm/ocr_13555_sm_gce_unit_f361_voc_list.xls

3. Test yourself on this vocab at: http://www.cambridgescp.com/page.php?p=pe^alevel^intro 4. Read the Aeneid by Virgil (Penguin translation by West available in local bookshops and

libraries). 5. Watch as many classical films and television programmes as you can. 6. Read any books on Greek and Roman mythology you can find (children’s books will do).

MATHEMATICS All students embarking the IB courses are strongly advised to revise any algebra techniques they have learned, especially A and A* material. This is particularly important for those students who completed GCSE courses in Year 11, but students who have completed an AS course would also benefit.

In the first month of Year 12, an algebra test will be given to all students to assess their suitability for the course for Higher and Standard IB. The following areas will be tested:

Solving linear and quadratic equations Laws of indices Adding and subtracting algebraic expressions Multiplying and dividing algebraic expressions Rearranging formulae Solving and sketching linear inequalities Sine and cosine rule for solving triangles

The use and manipulation of Surds

Mymaths.co.uk will cover all of these topics and it is useful to look through and complete the A to A* booster pack. Login: tonbridge Password: hexagon

All IB mathematics students will require a graphics calculator. The calculator we currently recommend is the TI-83. These can cost anything up to £80 new and since it is particularly difficult to source second-hand calculators at the start of the course, you might like to attempt to secure one over the summer when more are available on online auction sites.

MUSIC To support your work in the IB Listening and Appraising paper, research two composers from each era of musical history. Here are some suggestions: Instrumental Music Early Romantic – Berlioz, Mendelssohn: listen to Berlioz — Harold in Italy: movement I Early Baroque – Vivaldi,Corelli: listen to Corelli — Trio Sonata in D, Op.3 No.2: movement IV Classical/Romantic – Beethoven:listen to Septet in E flat, Op. 20: movement I Early Romantic -. Schumann: listen to Kinderscenen, Op. 15: Nos. 1, 3 and 11

September 2013 Entry

Vocal Music Renaissance - Weelkes — Sing we at pleasure Classical Lieder -. Haydn — My mother bids me bind my hair Pop music -. Carl Perkins — Honey don’t The Beatles — A Day in the Life Neoclassical 20th century music -. Stravinsky — Symphony of Psalms: movement III Write a short review of one piece you have heard by each composer. Choose a mixture of vocal and instrumental pieces to write about. Try this excellent resource http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/learnlisteningonline/ IB students should also investigate a World Music style for example: Reggae, Salsa, Gamelan Music, African Drumming, Bhangra or Bollywood music. Try to listen to online recordings and find out the typical features of the chosen style. All students should listen to at least one Promenade concert on the radio over the summer break, or try and go to the Royal Albert Hall to see one. Come to your first lesson prepared to talk about new musical experiences you have had over the summer break! Complete the related listening and research unit sheet (available on the website to download). Get an up-to-date music dictionary. Here are some suggestions: Collins Music Encyclopedia The Cambridge Music Guide Harvard Dictionary of Music

PHYSICS The IB course will involve you learning some of the fundamental ideas inherent in the study of physics. One area that all students should be aware of, and should be familiar with, is that of the scale and structure of the universe.

Ask yourself ‘what is the smallest dimension that can be measured and what is the largest? How much bigger is the largest object than the smallest’?

To help answer these questions study the information contained in the website at

www.wordwizz.com/pwrsof10.htm. This source provides an excellent opportunity to study the structure of the universe from the very small to the very large. Some of you may have seen a video called ‘Powers of Ten’ on which the website is based. Another very thought provoking film can be seen at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEheh1BH34Q Whereabouts in the sky is the largest star?

Students intending to study Physics are also asked to spend some time during the holidays on the following short piece of research. Choose a figure from history who has contributed significantly to the development of physics. You should then produce a short written account of the work carried out by your chosen physicist and the importance that it had in a historical context. Hand your research to your teacher at the start of next term.

September 2013 Entry

PSYCHOLOGY To study Psychology, we must study psychological research. To get a taste of psychological research, go to the British Psychological Society “Research Digest” at http://www.bps-research-digest.blogspot.com/ and find an article which interests you – there are lots of articles to choose from. Read the article thoroughly and bring it to your first Psychology lesson, with notes on the following points, ready to tell the class:

What the article is about (in a few sentences)

Why the research is relevant to understanding human behaviour

How the research was conducted (an overview)

What strengths you see in the way the research was conducted (as many as you can identify)

What limitations you see in the way the research was conducted (as many as you can identify)

What limitations you see in our ability to apply the findings to everyday life.

PHILOSOPHY The course will start with an examination of what Philosophy is. Choose two of the following suggestions and bring your findings to the first unit of the course. You should also be aware of the reporting of moral and ethical issues in the press and try to identify whether there is any bias and whether that is due to the social prejudices of today. 1. Read “Sophie’s World” by Jostein Gaarder; 2. Ethics: Watch “Groundhog Day” and try to define the impetus for good actions; 3. Watch “The Matrix” and identify what it says about the reasons for human life; 4. Read either “Brave New World” or “Frankenstein” and identify what these books are

saying about what it means to be human.

SPANISH

The transition from GCSE to IB Spanish is always a challenge for Y12 students. Here are some things that you can do over the summer to help you get your Spanish studies off to a flying start in September:

1. Watch Spanish language television or films.

2. Listen to Spanish language radio and podcasts.

3. Read Spanish newspapers or magazines.

4. Look for useful Spanish internet sites. Here are some good places to start:

http://www.rtve.es/noticias/directo/canal-24h/ http://www.spanishb-inthinking.co.uk/

www.spanishlanguage.co.uk/resources.htm - sección para enseñar con música http://www.spanishlanguage.co.uk/palabradia.htm - la palabra del día www.comunicativo.net/ - ejercicios de varios niveles http://www.biografiasyvidas.com/ http://www.uni.edu/becker/tutorials.html http://www.studyspanish.com/tutorial.htm http://www.mediatico.com/es/periodicos/europa/spain/nacionales/ http://www.donquijote.org/spanishlanguage/lyrics/

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5. Revise your GCSE grammar and vocabulary thoroughly - a sound base of knowledge is essential. “Acción Gramática” ( ISBN 0-340-77203-4) is an excellent grammar book that deals with the main grammatical points that will be covered in Y12 and Y13.

6. Start reading about the three core topics and the five optional topics that you will study in Y12 and Y13:

Comunicación y medios Cuestiones globales Relaciones socials Ciencia y tecnología Costumbres y tradiciones Diversidad cultural Ocio Salud

7.Literature:

Higher level students will be required to read the following books “Cronica de una muerte anunciada” and “El túnel” in Year 12 and 13, and we would like you to start reading the first one during the summer; The main text book that we will use for IB Higher is called Spanish IB course companion – Suso Rodríguez Blanco & Ana Valbuena and for IB Standard is called Spanish B for the IB Diploma – Mike Thacker & Sebastian Bianchi.

AB INITIO – SPANISH Starting a new language can be exciting and challenging. Here are some things that you can do over the summer to help you get your Spanish studies off to a flying start in September:

1. Watch Spanish language television or films.

2. Listen to Spanish language radio and podcasts.

3. Read Spanish newspapers or magazines.

4. Look for useful Spanish internet sites.

5. Study some grammar and vocabulary - a sound base of knowledge will be essential. “Acción Gramática” ( ISBN 0-340-77203-4) is an excellent grammar book that deals with the main grammatical points that will study in the next two years.

6. Start reading about the topics that you will study in the Ab Initio programme, such as:

Individual and Society: Daily routines, Education, Food and drinks, Personal details, Physical Health, Relationships and Shopping.

Leisure and Work: Employment, Entertainment, Holidays, Media, Sport, Technology andTransport.

Urban and Rural Environment: Environmental concerns, Global issues, Neighbourhood, Physical Geography, Town and Services and Weather.

7. Persuade you parents to take you on holiday to Spain or a Spanish speaking country!

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VISUAL ARTS/TEXTILES To prepare you for the start of the exciting first year of the Visual Arts course, and to get you thinking, your starting theme will be Colour so you need to start opening your eyes on the world around you and consider what purpose colour serves. You are expected to complete the following for the first lesson. You can buy an A4 sketchbook to start your work in if you wish to, or do the work on separate sheets to stick in to a book when you begin the course:

1. Create a cultural/ historical mind map (spider diagram) for the theme of colour. Within this you should try to include how colour has been used in society (signs, symbols, flags, uniform etc), within other cultures (e.g pre historic, Japan, India, Incan) and historically (has it changed or evolved throughout time). A mind map should fill an A4 page and have visuals as well as words.

2. Rediscover colour and take at least 30 photographs where you feel colour is the focus. Consider landscapes, seascapes and cityscapes. Consider objects, emotions and people. Consider natural form, artificial form, urban spaces, interior spaces, day, night, art, food, clothes. Your photographs can be anything at this stage, just ensure they interest you.

3. Select and print 10 of your favourite photos (that you have taken), ready to discuss them in your first week. These photos could be the starting point for your project so pick them wisely and possibly consider ‘grouping’ them into themes.

4. You must visit a museum or gallery. Find 2 artworks in which colour has been used in an interesting way and explain your thoughts- 500 words each.

THEATRE STUDIES The best way to prepare for IB Theatre Studies is to see as many productions as you can from a wide range of genres. There are plenty of plays on offer locally in addition to the National Theatre and others in London. You could also complete some background reading by or about significant theatre practitioners such as Stanislavski, Artaud, Boal, Craig, Grotowski and Brook. Have a lovely summer.