Teaching and Learning in the MYP

In the Middle Years Program students are required to engage in inquiry-based, concept-driven learning in 8 subject areas: Language and Literature and Individuals and Societies (Humanities), Mathematics, Sciences and Design (Science), Language Acquisition, (Spanish or English Language Development) Physical and Health Education, and Arts (Visual Arts, Drama, Band, Choir).

The MYP aims to help students develop their personal understanding and their emerging sense of self and responsibility in their community. Teaching and learning in the MYP is underpinned by the following:

Teaching and learning in context

Students learn best when their learning experiences have context and are connected to their lives and the world that they have experienced. Using global contexts, MYP students explore human identity, global challenges and what it means to be internationally minded.

Conceptual understanding

Concepts are big ideas that have relevance within specific disciplines and across subject areas. MYP students use concepts as a vehicle to inquire into issues and ideas of personal, local and global significance and examine knowledge holistically.

Approaches to learning (ATL)

A unifying thread throughout all MYP subject groups, approaches to learning provides the foundation for independent learning and encourage the application of students’ knowledge and skills in unfamiliar contexts. Developing and applying these skills help students learn how to learn

Service

Action (learning by doing and experiencing) and service have always been shared values of the IB community. Students take action when they apply what they are learning in the classroom and beyond. IB learners strive to be caring members of the community who demonstrate a commitment to service—making a positive difference to the lives of others and to the environment. Service as action is an integral part of the program, especially in the MYP community project.

Language and identity

MYP students are required to learn at least two languages. Learning to communicate in a variety of ways is fundamental to their development of intercultural understanding and crucial to their identity affirmation.

MYP Projects

The MYP offers projects that provide students the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned and engage in self-directed work.

Community project

The community project encourages students to explore their right and responsibility to implement service in the community. Students may complete the community project individually or in small groups. For schools that end the MYP in Year 3 or Year 4, the community project is required.

Preparation for further studies

The MYP is flexible enough to accommodate most national or local curriculum requirements. It builds upon the knowledge, skills and attitudes developed in the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) and prepares students to meet future academic challenges, including the IB Diploma Programme (DP) and the IB Career-related Programme (CP).

The MYP:

• provides students with opportunities to develop the knowledge, attitudes and skills they need in order to manage complexity and take responsible action for the future
• ensures breadth and depth of understanding through study in eight subject groups
• requires the study of at least two languages (language of instruction and additional language of choice) to support students in understanding their own cultures and those of others
• empowers students to participate in service within the community

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