Middle Years Programme (MYP)
Francis Scott Key Middle School is an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School authorized to offer the Middle Years Programme (MYP). The Middle Years Programme is one of three programmes offered by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO).
Mrs. Hester- MYP Coordinator
MYP Handbook
MYP is a flexible instructional framework designed for students in Grades 6 through 10 that encourages students to become critical thinkers, life-long learners, and responsible global citizens. We offer the IB Middle Years Programme to all students in grades 6-8. The programme is defined by three Fundamental Concepts:
Culture
Students are given increased opportunities to learn about their own culture and the cultures of people from around the globe. By viewing issues from multiple points of view, students learn the values of tolerance and empathy.
Connections
Learning is made more meaningful for students by focusing on how new learning connects to students’ own experiences, topics in other school subjects, and situations in the real world. Instruction and assessment become more authentic as students realize how the knowledge from each class relates to their total understanding of the world.
Communications
In order to be successful in the modern world, students must be able to communicate their ideas in multiple forms. This focus helps students to develop competency in reading, writing, speaking, listening, design, and technology. All students also have the opportunity to learn another language.
Global Contexts
The Middle Years Programme aims to develop international mindedness through global contexts. Global contexts allow for relevance, engagement and a direct route for inquiry for the 21st century student. Global contexts are six lenses that MYP teachers use to frame each intructional unit. The global contexts provide relevance to teaching and learning in the Middle Years Programme.
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Identities and relationships
Students will explore identity; beliefs and values; personal, physical, mental, social and spiritual health; and human relationships.
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Orientation in space and time
Students will explore personal histories; discoveries; explorations and migrations of humankind; the relationships between, and the interconnectedness of, individuals and civilizations, from personal, local and global perspectives.
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Personal and cultural expression
Students will explore the ways in which we discover and express ideas, feelings, the ways in which we reflect on, extend and enjoy our creativity; our appreciation of the aesthetic.
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Scientific and technical innovation
Students will explore the natural world and its laws; how humans use their understanding of scientific principles; the impact of scientific and technological advances on communities and environments; how humans adapt environments to their needs.
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Globalization and sustainability
Students will explore the interconnectedness of human-made systems and communities; the relationship between local and global processes; the impact of decision-making on humankind and the environment.
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Fairness and development
Students will explore rights and responsibilities; the relationship between communities; sharing finite resources with other people and with other living things; access to equal opportunities; peace and conflict resolution.
Approaches to Learning
The aim of the Approaches to Learning is to teach students how to learn by helping them find out about themselves as learners. Students are explicitly taught thinking and learning skills that empower them during the program and beyond. The combination of these five skill organizers ensures that students are prepared to handle interdisciplinary learning that supports a variety of subjects.
There are five skill organizers:
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Communication Skills
- Interaction and literacy
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Research Skills
- Information and media literacy, critical literacy
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Self-Management Skills
- Organization
- Time Management
- Reflection
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Social Skills
- Collaboration
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Thinking Skills
- Critical Thinking
- Creativity and innovation
- Reflection
- Transfer
A Balanced Curriculum Model
The Middle Years Programme offers a comprehensive, well-rounded program of study. All students are given exposure to the programme’s eight content areas, which include:
- Arts
- Mathematics
- Individuals & Societies (World Studies)
- Physical & Health Education
- Language & Literature (English)
- Science
- Language Acquisition (French or Spanish)
- Design (Integrated into Science and Individuals & Societies courses)
The Middle Years Programme requires that each student study each content area for a minimum of fifty hours per year. Most students in Grade 6 -8 will take Individuals & Societies, English, Math, Physical Education/Health, Science, Language Acquisition for the full school year, Visual Arts for one semester, and Performing Arts for one semester. Design instruction will be infused into science and Individuals & Societies courses throughout the year. In addition, students are expected to complete a self-directed Personal Project on a topic of their choosing in Grade 10.
MYP at Key
Francis Scott Key Middle School will offer MYP as an inclusive, whole-school model. We believe that all students are capable of achieving at high levels when they are both challenged and nurtured. MYP provides a healthy balance of academic support and extension that will help all students perform to their full potential.
MYP students will articulate into Springbrook High School for the final two years of the programme. Students can earn an IBO Middle Years Programme certificate if they take all eight subjects areas each year of the program, score well on MYP assessments, and complete a personal project in Grade 10.
The Middle Years Programme will benefit Francis Scott Key in several ways:
- Increased rigor and emphasis on critical thinking skills
- Student centered learning
- Coherent, relevant, and engaging curriculum
- Variety of teaching and learning methods
- Systematic approach to learning how to learn
- Understanding and appreciation for diverse cultures
- Community investment and pride in the neighborhood school
Click here for more information about IBO.