TOK Syllabus
Theory of Knowledge Year 1
2014-2015
Ms. Christensen
• Teacher Extraordinaire
• North Park University
• Basketball Coach
• The Oldest – younger brother and sister
Amundsen Vision
Amundsen High School is THE school of choice for
our neighborhood families due to its excellent student
achievement results and competitive academic and
extracurricular programs, offered in a 21st century
facility. Teaching to ensure growth and achievement is
the core principle of all instruction. AHS graduates
embrace intercultural respect and possess the needed
skills to be leaders in their communities and in a global
setting. Finally, every AHS graduate will be
Accountable, Honorable, and Scholarly.
Amundsen School Mission
Our mission is to provide every Amundsen student
with: a 21st Century rigorous and relevant education,
which prepares them for success in their postsecondary academic endeavors and careers; authentic
learning experiences that develop their ability to be lifelong, independent thinkers and learners, equipped with
comprehensive literacy skills in mathematics,
languages, arts, sciences, and technology; and, a
foundation for understanding a variety of cultural
perspectives and service-oriented mindset.
School Rules
• At all times, students must follow the dress code and visibly
wear their IDs.
• Students will arrive to class on time, bring all materials, and be
ready to learn.
• Any student in the hallway during class time must have a pass.
A student without a pass will be escorted back to his/her
scheduled room.
• Cell phones and other electronics are only permitted during the
passing periods and during lunch, unless specifically allowed by
the teacher for educational purposes.
• Students will respond promptly and politely to requests from
any adult in the building.
Class Expectations
• Accountable
• Honorable
• Scholarly
Accountable
• Be on time
• Complete all work
• Come to class
• Be responsible for YOUR work…if you are absent,
you need to find out what you missed and get it
done.
Honorable
• RESPECT everyone in this room.
• Know everyone’s name.
Scholarly
• TRY every task
• Turn in all of your work.
• Ask questions
The Class
• Theory of Knowledge (TOK)
• How do we know what we know? How do we know
if it is reliable and true?
• CHALLENGE what you know and why you know
it.
• Broken down into WAYS OF KNOWING and
AREAS OF KNOWING
Philosophy Fridays
• Every Friday we switch up what we are doing in
class and look at different philosophers and their
ideas.
IB Assessments
• TOK Presentation
• Presentation given at the end of senior year.
• TOK Essay
• Essay written in the middle of senior year.
• Prompts are given from IB.
• Extended Essay
• 4,000 word essay.
• 3rd Quarter Junior Year – 2nd Quarter Senior Year
Grading Scale
• Scale
• Categories
• 90-100 = A
• Participation
• 80- 89 = B
• Assessments
• 70- 79 = C
• Essays
• 60- 69 = D
• Class Work
• 59 and Below = F
Weekly Reflections
• Due the first class of every week.
• 2 paragraphs
• 1st: A clear summary of the entire week in THIS class
• 2nd: Reflection on the material
• Must be typed. Format will be shown next week.
• 1st Weekly Reflection will be due September 15th
TARDIES!!!!
• I hate them. Especially in this class.
• IF you are tardy:
• Work that is already collected, you earn a 0.
• Go directly to your desk. When I open the door, I will
QUICKLY tell you what you should be doing.
• Do not disturb anyone.
• You miss what you miss. You are still responsible for
completing whatever that day’s tasks are ON TIME. (i.e.
assessments, tweets, in class activities, notes, scenes…)
Tardy
• Extremely disrespectful, not just to me, but to
everyone in the room.
• I have zero tolerance for them.
• Should not be an issue.
Absences
• AUX = Automatic zero for that day. No make up.
That includes assessments. Work due that day will
automatically drop one letter.
• AEX = You may make up that work. Time frame
and completion are YOUR responsibility.
• Absent the day before an assessment? Still MUST
take assessment on the same day.
• Make Up assessments are no longer accepted once I
have passed back the graded work.
Attendance
• Attendance is KEY to this class.
• I will never chase after you for work.
• Everything is on the website in terms of handouts
and notes.
• If you were absent the day before, you are expected
to be fully prepared when you come back.
Cell Phones
• If I see them out, you lose your points for the entire
day.
• If there are NO cell phone issues in the first few
weeks, I will allow you to listen to music during your
assessments
• If, at any point, you are doing other things on your
phone, the whole class will lose the privilege.
• You will earn a 0 on the assessment/activity
Food/Drink
• You can have your drinks in here. The moment
someone spills something or leaves a piece of trash
behind, they will no longer be allowed. You will only
be allowed BOTTLED water.
• No food. There are problems with bugs around here.
I do not want those problems in here.
• I’m not your mama, and I have NO interest in
cleaning up after you.
Copying
• Zero Tolerance
• Whether it comes online or from someone else, lying
about your work is lying about your work.
• No make up options at all.
• Write down the name of ANY animal.
• Write down THREE adjectives that describe that
animal.
• Write down any color
• Write down THREE adjectives that describe that
color.
• Write down a landmark
• Write down three adjectives that describe that
landmark.
• Write down a body of water.
• Write down three adjectives that describe that body
of water.
• List your three favorite songs IN ORDER.
• THINK about the lyrics….
What it means
• Animal Adjectives =
• Words that you think describe you
• Color adjectives
• Describes how OTHERS see you
• Landmark does not matter
• Adjectives describe how you think your PERFECT
self should be
• Body of water
• Adjectives describe your social life
• Lyrics of the first song show your philosophy on life.
• Lyrics of the second song show what you care about
most
• Lyrics of the third song show your mind works.
1
• What is your favorite book? Why?
• What was your favorite class last year? Why?
• What are your biggest fears for this year? Be as
descriptive as possible.