The aims of the Middle Years Programme (MYP) Mathematics course are to encourage and enable learners to:

• enjoy mathematics, develop curiosity and appreciate its elegance and power;

• develop an understanding of the principles and nature of mathematics;

• communicate clearly and confidently in a variety of contexts;

• develop logical, critical and creative thinking;

• develop confidence, perseverance, and independence in mathematical thinking to solve problems;

• develop powers of generalisation and abstraction;

• apply and transfer skills to a wide range of real-life situations, other areas of knowledge and future developments;

• appreciate how developments in technology and mathematics have influenced each other;

• appreciate the moral, social and ethical implications arising from the work of mathematicians and the applications of mathematics;

• appreciate the international dimension in mathematics through an awareness of the universality of mathematics and its multicultural and historical perspectives;

• appreciate the contribution of mathematics to other areas of knowledge;

• develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to pursue further studies in mathematics;

• develop the ability to reflect critically upon their own work and the work of others.

The framework for MYP Mathematics outlines four branches of mathematical study: 

• numerical & abstract reasoning; 

• thinking with models;

• spatial reasoning;

• reasoning with data.

MYP Mathematics Assessment

As with all MYP subjects, there are four assessment criteria, each graded out of 8. For mathematics, they are:

• Criterion A: Knowing and understanding

• Criterion B: Investigating patterns

• Criterion C: Communicating

• Criterion D: Applying mathematics in real-life contexts

These criteria develop and change slightly as learners progress through years 7 to 9. Specific details can be found on each year level's page.

Below are two simple Criterion B tasks for years 8 or 9, with videos to explain their solutions.

In Year 7, learners must verify their generalisations (rules). In years 8 and 9, learners must verify their generalisations and then justify or prove them.

Mr Cairns, our Mathematics Learning Area Leader, recently presented a workshop for parents about assessment in MYP Mathematics.

The slides are below. Links to the relevant resources are inside the slides.