The learning environment in an IB Middle Years school allows for a student's development in the following areas:
Holistic Learning- The notion that all knowledge is interrelated and that the curriculum should cater to the development of the whole person, the attributes of which are described by the IB Learner Profile.
Intercultural Awareness- The notion that school communities should encourage and promote international-mindedness by engaging with ad exploring other cultures, a key feature of international education as reflected in the attributes of the IB Learner Profile.
Communication- The notion that schools should encourage open and effective communication, important skills that contribute to international understanding as exemplified by the attributes of the IB Learner Profile.
In my classroom, I address the three fundamental concepts by interrelating math topics that are used in other subjects as well, such as the metric system used in science. I have had the opportunity to travel to different countries and to observe different monetary systems and measuring systems; so in my classes, we examine other countries’ different measuring and monetary systems. Since I lived and went to college in another country, I know to be true that most mathematical operations and calculations are done exactly the same way in every country. We look at math as a “universal language”. I encourage communication in many ways, but especially as the students work together to solve problems. I encourage and recognize students exhibiting the IB learner profile… caring, risk-takers, thinkers, open minded with the view in mind that they will some day choose careers where international and cultural understanding will be important and supported by the IB learner traits.