Subject Areas
Students in grades 6-10 receive instruction in the following areas:
Language A - English
Studying language A is essential for any student engaged in the Middle Years Programme, as it enables students to establish links between subjects, cultures and other areas of experience. The student uses language A in a variety of situations throughout school life. Language A includes the five skill areas speaking, listening, reading, writing, and viewing. Instruction includes the areas of language acquisition in context, the writing process, group and individual oral activities, a wide range of literary, non-literary and visual materials, information technology, and linguistic and literary terminology.
Language B - Spanish
The primary aim of language B in the MYP is to encourage students to gain competence in a modern
language other than their mother tongue, with the long-term goal of balanced bilingualism. Learning additional languages greatly contributes to the holistic development of students. Proficiency in a second language gives students access to a broader range of input, experiences and perspectives, and is believed to raise achievement in other subject areas, as well as giving the student the enjoyment of being able to communicate in a language other than their mother tongue. The study of MYP language B aims to encourage in the student a respect for and understanding of other languages and cultures, and to provide a skills base to facilitate further language learning.
Mathematics
MYP mathematics aims to give students an appreciation of the usefulness, power, and beauty of the subject. The language of mathematics enables people to model events and situations, and provides a key to understanding the world in which we live. A study of mathematics also provides the opportunity to study the language of mathematics for its own sake.The IB Mathematics framework prescribes a study of
the five branches of number, algebra, geometry & trigonometry, statistics & probability, and discrete mathematics, over the five years of the programme.
Sciences
The sciences and their methods of investigation offer a way of learning through inquiry that can contribute
to the development of an analytical and critical way of thinking. MYP sciences emphasize the role of inquiry and encourages the development of not only scientific inquiry skills, but also transferable thinking skills.
Humanities/Social Studies
The aim of humanities in the MYP is to encourage students to gain and develop knowledge, conceptual
understanding, research skills, analytical and interpretive skills, and communication skills, contributing to the
development of the student as a whole. Humanities aims to encourage students to respect and understand
the world around them, and to provide a skills base to facilitate further study. This is achieved through the
study of individuals, societies and environments in a wide context: historical, contemporary, geographical,
political, social, economic, religious, technological and cultural.
Arts
The arts are a form of human expression through activity. They contribute to a school curriculum by offering a distinctive way of learning where seeing, feeling, hearing, thinking and creating are combined in a powerful form of visual, aural and tactile affective communication. Through the arts, students working both cooperatively and individually have opportunities to research, identify and discuss issues; to provide insights, opinions, solutions and resolutions; and to reflect on, appreciate and evaluate artwork. The arts are a powerful medium for the exploration of the human condition, our society and our world. In this respect they are a powerful educational tool for the exploration of different areas of the curriculum, the MYP areas of interaction and of different cultures. MYP arts is organized in two subjects: visual arts and performing arts.
Physical Education
Physical education (PE) has a unique and significant contribution to make to education. It also plays a very important role within the MYP as it contributes to the total development of the individual. Physical education in the MYP is concerned with more than sports and games. Its clear goal is to contribute to the development of a student’s physical, intellectual, emotional and social maturity. Physical education in the MYP aims to cultivate a healthy lifestyle for students and therefore advocates activities that are enjoyable and that also contribute to healthy living.
Technology
Technology and technological developments have given rise to profound changes in society, transforming
how we access and process information, how we communicate with others and how we work and solve
problems. The MYP holistic approach to teaching and learning acknowledges that inquiry and problem solving contribute to students’ development of thinking skills and strategies that will equip them to face the
rapidly changing demands of the twenty-first century. MYP technology aims to provide the means and the context to help students become skillful problem solvers, who can appreciate the role of technology in everyday life and society and who can respond critically and resourcefully to real-life challenges.
Leadership
Our leadership program will focus on four specific areas from Kindergarten to 12th grade. These four areas are (a) developing knowledge of self and others, (b) defining leadership, (c) developing leadership skills and practices, and (d) practicing leadership through service.
