Middle Years Programme
Grades 6 -10
The Middle Years Programme (IBMYP) is specially designed for the unique needs of children ages eleven to sixteen (grades 6 through 10), at a time when they need to develop good learning habits, self-confidence and a thorough understanding of their academic subjects.
Our student-centred educational approach both embraces and transcends traditional school subjects by helping our students to see the connections between the academic disciplines. Our Middle Years Programme is designed to suit the needs of the internationally mobile student. We encourage students to be active participants in their learning, to share their own experiences and knowledge within the classroom and to value the diversity of thought throughout our community.
We embrace the IB goal of providing our students with “the intellect and skills to pursue lives of purpose and meaning” and in doing so promote the characteristics of the IB Learner profile. At ISA, we seek to help our students develop intellectually, emotionally and physically on their individual journeys to self-discovery. We aim to prepare our students for the future, to help them make a difference in this world and most importantly, to learn how to learn.
MYP Curriculum Framework
The IBMYP helps students develop both subject-specific and interdisciplinary understanding. The MYP curriculum framework includes:
Approaches to Learning (ATL) – helps students learn how to learn by developing skills for research, critical and creative thinking, communication, collaboration, and self-management.
Key and related concepts – help students explore big ideas that matter.
Global contexts – help students understand the relevance and importance of their study for understanding their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet.
IB MYP Approaches to Teaching and Learning
Teaching and Learning in Context
Being internationally-mobile, our students have a unique opportunity to context from their own experiences to the learning process. Our Middle Years Programme allows students to gain a better understanding of their “common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet” through the exploration of:
- identities and relationships
- personal and cultural identity
- orientations in space and time
- scientific and technical innovation
- fairness and development
- globalisation and sustainability
International Baccalaureate Organisation, 2015
Conceptual Understanding
Through the use of concepts, our students are able to delve into issues and ideas of personal, local and global significance and to holistically approach and understand the knowledge they acquire.
Approaches to Learning
ATL is concerned with “learning how to learn,” developing good study habits, as well as critical thinking, self-management and problem-solving skills. Students learn how to identify and best use their own learning styles. It is designed to give students the tools and confidence they need to be life-long learners. Features of ATL include the use of a homework agenda, developing a learning disposition, reflecting and completing self-evaluations.
Service as Action (through community service)
All students in grades 6 to 10 are required to participate in Service as Action, which helps students develop a sense of belonging and responsibility to their community.
Subject group courses for MYP
- LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE
English or mother tongue Dutch, French, German or Spanish
- MATHEMATICS
Offered at Standard and Extended levels from grade 9 onwards
- INDIVIDUALS & SOCIETIES
History, Geography, Economics, Global Issues
- THE ARTS
Visual Art, Music, Drama & Film
- LANGUAGE ACQUISITION
Learned language of Dutch, French, Mandarin, Spanish or English as an Additional Language
- SCIENCES
Biology, Chemistry, Physics
- DESIGN
Information, Design and Food technologies
- PHYSICAL & HEALTH EDUCATION
The Personal Project
In the final year of the MYP programme all grade 10 students work one-to-one with faculty advisors on the “Personal Project”. This is a long-term research project focused on a chosen area of interaction.
Examples of Personal Projects from ISA students include:
- Building a drone
- Conducting a read-a-thon to raise money for charity
- Creating a Feminism/Human Rights Arts piece
- Design a new type of wakeboard winch
- Writing children’s book on the importance of team spirit
- Creating a Japanese Animation
Learn more about ISA’s MYP Programme
