International Baccalaureate

About the International Baccalaureate (IB)

 

Upper elementary students in grades 6 to 8 pursue their studies using the International Baccalaureate
Middle Years Program (IB MYP). Wheatley is an authorized IB World School, and was granted full IB
status in spring 2010. The school was fully reaccredited in 2014.

IB Mission Statement:

“The International Baccalaureate Organization aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. To this end the IBO works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment.

These programmes encourage students across the world to become active compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.”

[ “MYP: from Principles into Practice” IBO, 2014. Updated 2017.]

The International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme:

The Middle Years Program (MYP) is based on the premise that education can foster understanding among young people around the world, enabling future generations to live more peacefully and productively than we do today. Intercultural awareness is central in the MYP.

The programme’s focus is the student and takes into consideration their stage of development. This is a critical period of personal, social and intellectual development because they are making the transition from early puberty to mid adolescence.

[“IB Learner Profile Image”. IBO, 2013]

At this stage of their development, students require a programme that provides them with discipline, skills and challenging standards, but also with creativity and flexibility. It is also important that students develop a personal value system with which they may guide their own lives. Through the IB learner profile, the MYP aims to develop students who are thoughtful and compassionate members of local communities and of the larger world.

[MYP The Programme Model Image, 2014]

The MYP model presents knowledge as an integrated whole. Students acquire knowledge and skills through a careful study of eight disciplines:

Language and literature
Language acquisition
Individuals and societies
Sciences
Mathematics
Arts: Drama, Music, Visual Arts
Physical and health education
Design

The interrelatedness of subjects is highlighted but at the same time, the programme recognizes the importance of respecting the integrity of each discipline.

[“The Global Contexts Image” by Dianne McKenzie, used under creative commons. Accessed June
20,2018. https://atlskills.weebly.com]

Using global contexts, MYP students develop an understanding of their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet through developmentally appropriate explorations of:

  • identities and relationships
  • personal and cultural identity
  • orientations in space and time
  • scientific and technical innovation
  • fairness and development
  • globalization and sustainability

These global contexts are designed to make students increasingly aware of the authentic connections between the subject content and the real world. They are intended to help students develop an understanding of broader and more complex global issues.

 

Approaches to Learning Skills

A unifying thread throughout all MYP subject groups, approaches to learning (ATL) skills provide the foundation for independent learning and encourage the application of their knowledge and skills in unfamiliar contexts. Developing and applying these social, thinking, research, communication and self-management skills helps students learn how to learn.

[“MYP ATL Skills Image”.From Principles into practice. IBO, 2014]

Action 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 programme, especially in the MYP community project.

 

References

“IB Learner Profile Image”. International Baccalaureate Organization, 2013.
IB Organization. “Project Study in the MYP.” International Baccalaureate®, Accessed Jun
20,2018. www.ibo.org/programmes/middle-years-programme/curriculum/myp-projects/.
McKenzie, Dianne. N/d. “Global Contexts Image.” Creative Commons , atlskills.weebly.com.
“MYP ATL Skills Image”. MYP: from Principles into Practice. International Baccalaureate Organization,
2014.
“MYP: from Principles into Practice”. International Baccalaureate Organization, 2014. Updated 2017.
“MYP The Programme Model Image”. MYP: from Principles into Practice. International Baccalaureate
Organization, 2014. Updated 2017.