An Introduction to the IB Middle Years Programme

An Introduction to the IB Middle Years Programme IB for All Students! West High School

IB Learner Profile The aim of all IB programmes is to develop internationally minded people who, recognizing their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet, help to create a better and more peaceful world. IB Learners strive to be • inquirers • knowledgeable • thinkers • communicators • principled • open-minded • caring • risk-takers • balanced • reflective

The IB Mission The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. To this end the organization works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment. These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.

Middle Years Programme (MYP) Holistic Learning Intercultural Awareness Communication

What School Initiatives support MYP? • Differentiated Instruction • Student-Centered Instruction • Socratic Seminars • Thinking Maps • Higher Order Thinking Questions • Mastery-Based Learning • Vertical Teaming with Middle Schools

Assessments: Beyond Scantrons • Oral presentations in both languages studied • History Day fair • Congressional simulated hearing • Model UN Conference • Creative Writing Assignments • Hands on Projects

Areas of Interaction: Framework for Student Inquiry • Approaches to Learning How do I learn best? • How do I know? • How do I communicate my understanding? • • Community & Service How do we live in relation to each other? • How can I contribute to the community? • How can I help others? •

Areas of Interaction: Framework for Student Inquiry • Health & Social Education How do I think and act? • How am I changing? • How can I look after myself and others? • • Environments What are our environments? • What resources do we have or need? • What are my responsibilities? • • Human Ingenuity Why and how do we create? • What are the consequences? •

Effects of Using Areas of Interaction exploration of real-world issues • higher-order thinking skills • positive attitudes & a sense of personal and social responsibility • reflection on oneself as a learner • academic knowledge leading to thoughtful action • an interdisciplinary approach to learning • a common language for constructing and organizing the curriculum •

Example: 2012 Elections Approaches to Learning • How can I learn the most accurate & objective information about each candidate? • Community & Service • Since I am under 18, how can I get involved in the political process? • Health & Social Education • How have my political views been shaped? • Environments • How does the region I live in affect what our community considers politically important? • Human Ingenuity • How can we reform campaign financing? •

The Personal Project Documentary about religion • Graphic novel • Handmade canoe • Scientific experiments • Handmade guitar • Collections of poetry • Cookbook • Handmade Iroquois-era lacrosse stick • Catapult •

MYP Language Requirements § The Mother Tongue § World Languages Spanish French German Students will select a language of choice at the end of his/her 6 th grade year and continue through 10 th grade. § Develop acquisition and fluency §

9 th Grade Curriculum Model West High MYP Language and Literature English: Honors or College Prep Language Acquisition World Languages: Spanish/French/German Mathematics Math: Algebra I Honors/CP, Geometry (H) Individuals and Societies History: World Sciences Science: Biology (H) / Physical Science CP Arts Fine Arts: Theatre, Band, and Visual. Art Physical and Health Education Wellness Design Course Level 1 History Honors or CP 13

10 th Grade Curriculum Model West High MYP Language and Literature English II: Honors or College Prep Language Acquisition World Languages: Spanish/French/German II Mathematics Math: Algebra II Honors/CP, Geometry (H) Individuals and Societies History: American Government Honors or CP Sciences Science: Biology / Chemistry I Arts Fine Arts: Theatre, Band, and Visual Art II Physical and Health Education P. E. Design Elective Level II 14

Remember: IB does not equal DP! • Diploma Programme (DP) Last two years of high school • IB determines curriculum & assessments. • • Middle Years Programme (MYP) 6 th-10 th grade • IB determines pedagogy & assessment criteria. • • Primary Years Programme (PYP) Elementary school • IB determines pedagogy only. •

Final Thought IB programs teach our students that being smart is not a matter of heredity, but of motivation and hard work. The program leads students to deeper understandings of themselves and the world around them – basic skills for the 21 st century. -Bernie Glaze