SELF MANAGEMENT SKILLS IN THE MYP

Self management is not only about how we organize ourself, but it is also about how students manage their state of mind, being aware of oneself, to persevere in their work and be resilient in the face of challenge. It is also being reflective of oneself, how do students identify their strengths and weakness in their learning strategies, or in this case in working on the personal project . In the MYP self-management skills are divided into organization skills, affective skills and reflection skills.  

Students demonstrate how they manage time and task effectively by: 

• Plan short- and long-term assignments; meet deadlines

• Create plans to prepare for summative assessments (examinations and performances)

• Keep and use a weekly planner for assignments

• Set goals that are challenging and realistic

• Plan strategies and take action to achieve personal and academic goals

• Bring necessary equipment and supplies to class

• Keep an organized and logical system of information files/notebooks

• Use appropriate strategies for organizing complex information

• Understand and use sensory learning preferences (learning styles)

• Select and use technology effectively and productively

Students demonstrate how they manage their state of mind and affective skills by: 

 Mindfulness awareness

• Practise focus and concentration

• Practise strategies to develop mental focus

• Practise strategies to overcome distractions

• Practise being aware of body–mind connections

Perseverance

• Demonstrate persistence and perseverance

• Practise delaying gratification

Emotional management

• Practise strategies to overcome impulsiveness and anger

• Practise strategies to prevent and eliminate bullying

• Practise strategies to reduce stress and anxiety

Self-motivation

• Practise analysing and attributing causes for failure

• Practise managing self-talk

• Practise positive thinking

Resilience

• Practise “bouncing back” after adversity, mistakes and failures

• Practise “failing well”

• Practise dealing with disappointment and unmet expectations

• Practise dealing with change

Students demonstrate that they are doing reflective skills by: 

• Develop new skills, techniques and strategies for effective learning

• Identify strengths and weaknesses of personal learning strategies

• (self-assessment)

• Demonstrate flexibility in the selection and use of learning strategies

• Try new ATL skills and evaluate their effectiveness

• Consider content

  • • What did I learn about today?

    • What don’t I yet understand?

    • What questions do I have now?

• Consider ATL skills development

  • • What can I already do?

    • How can I share my skills to help peers who need more practice?

    • What will I work on next?

• Consider personal learning strategies

  • • What can I do to become a more efficient and effective learner?

    • How can I become more flexible in my choice of learning strategies?

    • What factors are important for helping me learn well?

•  Focus on the process of creating by imitating the work of others

• Consider ethical, cultural and environmental implications

• Keep a journal to record reflections