The MYP Curriculum

 

The IB Middle Years Programme consists of eight subject groups integrated through five Areas of Interaction. At the 1st ISO, the MYP is delivered in the English language and is taught as a five year programme. At the 1st ISO, the flexible MYP curriculum is adapted to meet the requirements of both the British National Curriculum (Key Stage 3 & 4) and the Czech National Curriculum.

 

 

Areas of Interaction

 

  • These are the core of the MYP and are focused on the students’ intellectual and social development
  • These are not academic subjects but rather perspectives from which the students can interact with the academic subjects
  • They allow the students to make connections between subjects and to see knowledge as interrelated not compartmentalized
  • They encourage the students to explore connections between academic subjects and real world issues, thereby increasing the relevance of education and improving student motivation
  • The AOI are studied in a systematic and creative way in every subject in all five years of the MYP
  • The AOI also inspire interdisciplinary teaching, investigative projects and student action

 

Approaches to Learning

  • How do I learn best?
  • How do I know?
  • How do I communicate my understanding?

 

Through ATL, students are provided with the skills to enable them to take responsibility for their own learning. Central to this is "learning how to learn" and developing in the student awareness of how he or she learns best, of thought processes and of learning strategies.

 

Approaches to learning also include:

  • organizational skills and attitudes towards work
  • collaborative skills
  • communication
  • information literacy
  • reflection
  • problem-solving and thinking skills
  • subject-specific and interdisciplinary conceptual understanding

 

Community Service

  • How do we live in relation to each other?
  • How can I contribute to the community?
  • How can I help others?

Community Service focuses on developing in the student the attitudes and skills needed to make an effective contribution to our society. Through Community Service, the student will become more aware of and concerned about their community. Furthermore, MYP students are encouraged to participate in their local communities and in the wider world in spirit of responsible and caring citizenship.

 

Human Ingenuity

  • Why and how do we create?
  • What are the consequences?

 

Through this AOI, the student will consider the products and consequences of the inventions and creations of the human race throughout history and across cultures. The students are encouraged to explore the relationships between science, aesthetics, technology and ethics. The student will develop an appreciation of the human capacity to create, transform and improve the quality of life. Students are encouraged to reflect on the impact of their own contributions and actions as well.

 

Environments

  • Where do we live?
  • What resources do we have or need? 
  • What are my responsibilities?

 

This ATL aims to develop understanding of the interdependence of human activity and the environment and MYP students are encouraged to accept their responsibility to maintain an environment fit for future generations. The students investigate and reflect on local and global environmental issues from a range of perspectives. The students will develop an understanding of sustainable development and the relationships between the environment, economics and politics. Students will gain valuable skills which will allow them to contribute in a positive way to their environments.

 

Health and Social Education

  • How do I think and act?
  • How am I changing?
  • How can I look after myself and others?

 

In this area, students will acquire the necessary skills, knowledge, attitudes and values that lead to physical and psychological health and well-being. In particular, the student will be made aware of potential hazards so that they will be able to make informed choices based on respect for body and mind. There is also an important focus on developing and maintaining healthy relationships with others. Students become aware of the benefits of leading balanced lives and they are encouraged to take responsibility for their own health, relationships and environments. Important legal concepts are dealt with as is economic well-being. Intercultural and historic comparisons are encouraged throughout.

 

 

The Personal Project


The five Areas of Interaction are perspectives rather than subjects, and are not directly assessed nor awarded individual grades. They are indirectly assessed through the Personal Project, an independent and creative piece of work that is intended to be the culmination of the student’s involvement with the five areas.

 

In the Personal Project, the student should complete a significant piece of work in the fifth and final year of the MYP. Importantly, the process is led by the student and supervised by a teacher according to the guidelines of the IBO. The Project can take many forms and the choice of type of project and its topic is made by the student in consultation with his or her teachers.

 

The personal project must be accompanied by a document in which the student describes the approach, planning and the method that has been followed. In addition to describing and reflecting upon the process and research, the student should also provide a personal response to the issues concerned from the perspectives of the five Areas of Interaction.