🗣️IB Insights: Mastering English B
Issue 1: 6th September 2023
Hello, Everyone!
I'm genuinely thrilled to welcome you to the very first edition of IB Insights: Mastering English B. This newsletter is a labour of love, and I couldn't be more excited to share it with all of you.
In this series, I've curated content that I believe will be incredibly valuable for both teachers and students as we navigate the English B course. I want this newsletter to be a true collaborative effort, so if you have any suggestions or specific content you'd like me to include in future editions, please, please reach out. Your input is what will make this newsletter special.
My hope is that this newsletter becomes a powerful resource that genuinely enhances your experience with English B—whether you're teaching it or studying it. If you find the content helpful, I'd be grateful if you could share it with your colleagues and friends who might benefit from it. And, of course, please subscribe to stay in the loop about the latest insights and resources.
Thank you for being a part of this community. Let's embark on this journey of mastering English B together, and I'm eager to hear from each one of you!
Warm regards,
Matt
🧠 Exploring the Theme: Human Ingenuity
"Human Ingenuity" is a theme I get incredibly excited about teaching, and I can't wait to explore it with all of you. It's a theme that offers such a wide canvas, allowing students to dive deep into the fascinating realm of human creativity and innovation. But let's start at the beginning, shall we?
So, what exactly is human ingenuity?
Human Ingenuity is that remarkable ability that resides in all of us, the power to imagine, create, and innovate. It's the spark that drives us to find ingenious solutions and adapt to the ever-changing world around us.
One place to start with your class might be to create a collaborative timeline of some of the world's most famous (arguably) inventions. Discuss some of the examples below in detail and explore what they know.
Early Agriculture
The Wheel
The Printing Press
The Industrial Revolution
The Internet
Space Exploration
Renewable Energy
🏛️Class Activity
To kick off our journey through this theme, I thought we'd take an exciting detour into the world of "Black Mirror." "Black Mirror" is a thought-provoking science fiction anthology series created by Charlie Brooker. Each episode of the series stands alone and explores a distinct story and theme, often focusing on the dark and sometimes dystopian aspects of modern society and technology. "Black Mirror" delves into topics such as the impact of social media, the consequences of advanced technology, surveillance, artificial intelligence, and more. It's known for its thought-provoking narratives and often serves as a commentary on the potential consequences of our increasing dependence on technology and the interconnectedness of our lives in the digital age. Each episode offers a unique and unsettling glimpse into possible near-future scenarios.
One episode that struck me early on was 'Nosedive.' It's a thought-provoking glimpse into a future where social ratings govern our lives. I've prepared a worksheet that you can use before, during, and after watching the episode. It's designed to enhance the viewing experience and spark some engaging discussions.
I would also suggest that you take a look at the IMDB parent guide which allows you to see any profanities or content that may not be suitable for students in your class.
🆓Free Activity Pack
I've prepared a FREE activity pack exclusively for newsletter readers, packed with valuable resources to enhance your "Nosedive" episode experience. Inside the activity pack, you'll find:
Engaging discussion tasks related to the episode's themes.
A helpful vocabulary list featuring words used in the episode.
Thought-provoking pre-writing tasks to stimulate your thinking.
Questions to ponder while watching the episode, enhancing your viewing experience.
Reflection questions for after you've finished watching.
A dynamic class discussion task to encourage interactive learning.
Challenging Paper 1 exam tasks for both HL and SL levels.
You can easily download the activity pack in PDF format by following this link to my site. It's available for free, but if you'd like to show your appreciation, you can always contribute the cost of a coffee ☕. Your support is genuinely appreciated.
One small request: If you find this resource valuable and engaging, I'd love for you to like and share my newsletter and social media accounts. It would be fantastic to see you using this resource in your lessons.
Please note that you'll need to download the "Nosedive" episode of "Black Mirror" separately.
🧠Human Ingenuity Key Vocabulary
Ingenuity
Innovation
Creativity
Resourcefulness
Adaptability
Inventiveness
Innovator
Problem-Solving
Originality
Breakthrough
Imagination
Visionary
Progress
Mastery
Pioneering
Resource Allocation
Cross-Disciplinary
Ethical Dilemma
Sustainability
Inclusive
🧠Human Ingenuity Idiomatic Expressions
Think outside the box: To think creatively or unconventionally, often coming up with innovative solutions.
A stroke of genius: An exceptionally brilliant or creative idea or action.
Invent the wheel: To waste time reinventing something that already exists, rather than using existing knowledge or solutions.
Necessity is the mother of invention: Creative solutions are often born out of necessity.
Put on your thinking cap: To encourage someone to think creatively or come up with ideas.
📚Further Reading
How Social Media and Games Can Hurt Your Mental Health With Ranking Systems
Charlie Brooker (writer of Black Mirror) on the Future of Social Media
The Impact Social Media has on the Mental Health of Gen Zers
👀Further Viewing/Listening
I really hope you enjoyed the first newsletter in the series. I would love to get your feedback on whether or not this was useful and supportive for you. Please do remember to share and reach out to me on social media if you would like to.
You can find me on Instagram, Twitter and Threads with the username ‘matttfletcher’ or click the links below.
I cannot access to the pack. Broken link . Could you reload or send by mail? Thanks
These resources are fantastic, my students are really engaged and it has saved me lots of time. Thank you so much - looking forward to the next theme