Middle Years Programme
What is the Middle Years Programme?
The Middle Years Programme (MYP) is a challenging framework that encourages students to make practical connections between their studies and the real world. It is a five-year program, which can be implemented in a partnership between schools, or in several abbreviated (two, three or four-year) formats. OIS students complete externally verified e-assessments and e-portfolios and if successful, they obtain the MYP Certificate. Students who complete the MYP or who have a similar qualification are able to undertake the IB Diploma Programme (DP) at OIS.
MYP 1-3 (students aged 11-14)
During OIS Years 7 to 9, students will study the following subjects:
- English
- Portuguese
- Spanish OR French Language Acquisition
- Individuals & Societies
- Sciences
- Mathematics
- Design
- Physical & Health Education
- The Arts (Music, Art, Drama – one term each per year)
MYP 4-5 (students aged 15-16)
Years 10 and 11 are considered one ‘phase’ of the program. Subjects you choose in Year 10 are the ones you will be registered for assessments in, leading to the achievement of the MYP Certificate. These subjects will include:
- English
- Portuguese (internal assessment only – not assessed by the IB)
- Spanish OR French Language Acquisition
- Integrated Humanities
- Choice of TWO between Biology, Chemistry and Physics
- Mathematics OR Extended Mathematics
- Physical & Health Education
- Choice between Design, Music, or Visual Arts
Each subject is studied for three lessons per week, with the exception of Mathematics which has four lessons per week dedicated to it.
Students will also complete Interdisciplinary Units (IDU).
These are opportunities for students to combine knowledge and understanding from two disciplines, to enrich their learning in a cohesive unit. They will do one IDU per year, and receive a grade for this unit. At the end of Year 11, students will be given an IDU eAssessment based on that year’s global context theme.
Service as Action (SA)
Service as Action engages students in authentic, enduring service learning experiences within the local and global community. Students are encouraged to develop their own service opportunities in areas that are of particular importance and interest to them. They will thoughtfully reflect on their community service experiences and self-evaluate them.
Middle Years Programme Personal Project
In year 11 students complete an MYP Personal Project. This can be on anything of interest to them, They are supported by a teacher-supervisor. The project is completed in the student’s own time between the end of Year 10 and January of Year 11. The personal project is a rich opportunity for students to complete an extended piece of work that challenges their own creativity and thinking. Creativity is encouraged by the aims and objectives of the personal project and the results are usually rewarding, and sometimes spectacular.
About the Middle Years Programme
Holistic
Addresses students’ intellectual, social, emotional and physical well-being.
Engaging
Provides opportunities to develop the knowledge, attitudes and skills students need in order to manage complexity
Comprehensive
Ensures breadth and depth of understanding through study in eight different subject groups.
Global
Requires the study of a least two languages to support students in understanding their own cultures and those of others.
Conceptual
Helps provide meaning for student learning and make students aware of the world around them.
Rigorous
Prepares students for further education, the workplace and a lifetime of learning.
Caring
Empowers students to participate in service within the community through the service learning programme requirements.
The Subject Groups
Arts
Students develop through creating, performing and presenting arts in ways that engage and convey feelings, experiences and ideas
Design
Students develop both practical skills and strategies for creative and critical thinking through the design cycle process
Individuals & Societies
Incorporates disciplines traditionally studied in the humanities, as well as disciplines in the social sciences
Language Acquisition
Students develop insights into the features, processes and craft of language and the concept of culture through language
Language & Literature
Students are engaged in the study of many aspects of the language and literature of communities and their cultures
Physical & Health Education
Empowers students to understand and appreciate the value of being physically active and to develop the motivation for making healthy life choices
Sciences
Encourages students to investigate issues through research, observation and experimentation, working independently and collaboratively
For further information about the IB and its programmes visit http://www.ibo.org