Middle Years Programme Ada Merritt K-8 Center Middle Years Programme Ada Merritt K-8 Center

How can the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) benefit my child? Guiding Question How can the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) benefit my child? Ada Merritt K-8 Center

The International Baccalaureate Program offers a Continuum of International Education Ada Merritt K-8 Center

Learner Profile At the heart of the IB Programme Continuum is the Learner Profile. The IB programme aims to help students develop as lifelong learners in the context of the Learner Profile. Ada Merritt K-8 Center

Ada Merritt K-8 Center

Fundamental Concepts of the Middle Years Programme Intercultural Awareness Communication Holistic Education with a Focus on Global Issues Ada Merritt K-8 Center

The Programme Model Ada Merritt K-8 Center Students in middle school follow a 4X4 block schedule alternating between even periods one day 2, 4, 6, 8 and odd periods 1, 3, 5, 7 the following day. They will have the opportunity to earn High School credits in math, science, and language B. Ada Merritt K-8 Center

Characteristics of the Middle Years Program FIVE AREAS OF INTERACTION They provide a framework for learning within and across the subject groups. They allow connections among the subjects themselves, and between the subjects and real-life issues. Ada Merritt K-8 Center

MYP AREAS OF INTERACTION The 5 Areas of Interaction: Approaches to Learning Community & Service Environments Health & Social Education Human Ingenuity Ada Merritt K-8 Center

Approaches to Learning Develop effective study skills Develop critical, coherent, and independent thought Learn problem solving and decision making skills Become life-long learners Nurture academic honesty The focus is to develop intellectual discipline, attitudes, strategies, and skills which result in independent thought processes and growth. ATL is concerned with: intellectual disciplines, attitudes, strategies and skills “learning how to learn” awareness of thought processes and their strategic use. ATL results in: critical, coherent and independent thinking capacity for problem solving and decision making. Ada Merritt K-8 Center

Ada Merritt K-8 Center

Community and Service Expand focus beyond the classroom Develop responsibility & caring participation in the local & global community Have Community Service requirements Community and Service starts in the classroom and then extends beyond. Emphasis is on developing community awareness, a sense of responsibility, and the skills needed to make an effective contribution to society. Ada Merritt K-8 Center

Health & Social Education Become better informed about life issues Develop a sense of responsibility for their own well-being Make informed choices Become aware of related issues & their effects on communities HSE prepares students for a mentally and physically healthy life. Students develop a sense of responsibility for their physical and social well-being and are encouraged to explore their own potential to develop healthy relationships with others. Ada Merritt K-8 Center

Human Ingenuity Study impact of human inventions and creativity Use personal resources to improve quality of life Through Human Ingenuity, students focus on evolution, processes, and products of human creativity. This AOI encourages students to explore relationships between science, ethics and life. It is the core of student-centered learning. Ada Merritt K-8 Center

Environments Become aware of interdependency with the environments Take positive responsible action for the future Accept responsibility for environmental maintenance Reflect on actions and their impact Environments aims to make students aware of their interdependence with the environment so that they develop and enhance responsibility for maintaining a balanced environment. Ada Merritt K-8 Center

Apply Your Knowledge Write a sentence to talk about this bottle looking at it through the area of interaction assigned to your table Ada Merritt K-8 Center

The MYP provides a framework of academic challenge and life skills for middle school students. It engages them in a thorough study of eight disciplines viewed through the lenses of five areas of interaction  All students: take annual courses in Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Language A (Language Arts), Language B (Spanish or Portuguese), Humanities in language A and B take semester courses in Approaches to Learning (ATL), Technology, Physical Education and Fine arts. Follow a 4X4 block schedule alternating between even periods one day 2, 4, 6, 8 and odd periods 1, 3, 5, 7 the following day They will have the opportunity to earn High School credits in Mathematics, Science, and Language B. Ada Merritt K-8 Center

Mathematics All Middle School students take advanced mathematics courses: Advanced mathematics in grades 6 and 7 Algebra 1 in grade 8 Students who excel in mathematics have the opportunity to participate in an accelerated mathematics program, taking Algebra 1 in grade 7 and Geometry in grade 8. Criteria for admission into the accelerated track: FCAT scores of 5 in mathematics Teacher recommendation 70% or higher on the placement or baseline test Strong work ethics Good grades in all subjects Ada Merritt K-8 Center

Mathematics (continued) In order to be successful in Algebra 1 in 8th grade, students need to have mastered, by the end of grade 7, the foundations for this high school course All Algebra 1 and Earth/Space Science students will take a district end of the year test online All grades received on high school level courses will count towards a student’s GPA Ada Merritt K-8 Center

International Studies Program Students with an advanced level of fluency in Spanish have the opportunity to participate in the International Studies Program in the MYP by taking advanced level Spanish classes: Spanish, language B: Spanish Language & Literature for International Studies 1 and 2 in grades 6 and 7 Advanced Placement Spanish class in grade 8 Spanish Humanities: Spanish Humanities for International Studies 1, 2, 3 in grades 6-8. Ada Merritt K-8 Center

International Studies Program Criteria for participating in the IS program in Middle School: Previous participation in the IS program at the elementary level Satisfactory grades in core courses Teacher recommendation A score of 80% or higher on the Spanish Placement Test Ada Merritt K-8 Center

School-wide Initiatives Ada Merritt K-8 Center

Technology Utilization of tools to solve problems, research and produce Subject Area in IB Three branches Information Materials Systems Ada Merritt K-8 Center

Core of the Technology Program Investigate Create a Product/Solution Plan Evaluate Design Cycle Ada Merritt K-8 Center

Activities Invention Convention in grade 6 Science Fair in grade 7 Culminating Project in grade 8 Ada Merritt K-8 Center

Portfolios Students: Collect samples of their work in each Area of Interaction Write a reflection form for each entry Accumulate work samples from 6th –8th grades Prepare for High School A complete Portfolio is a requirement to qualify for the Ada Merritt International Baccalaureate Certificate in eighth grade. Ada Merritt K-8 Center Student Portfolio Ada Merritt K-8 Center

Clubs Eligible students may participate in a variety of clubs: Student Council FFEA (Florida Future Educators of America) NJHS (National Junior Honor Society) Mentoring Music Art Environment Mathematics Geography Creative Writing Odyssey of the Mind Science Ada Merritt K-8 Center

IB MYP Requirements Maintain grades of C or higher in all subjects and in conduct Maintain acceptable effort grades Follow the schools attendance, punctuality, uniform and behavior guidelines Complete home learning assignments regularly and use the student agenda Complete the required Community and Service hours: 10 hours in 6th and 7th grade 20 hours in 8th grade Maintain a portfolio Complete the 8th grade Culminating Project Ada Merritt K-8 Center

Transition Challenges Become independent and responsible Acquire and maintain good study habits More subjects Home learning in all subjects Mid term and year end exams Block schedule Age related challenges Parents role: to encourage their child’s independence and responsibility; Highly qualified staff; trust their professional judgement. Ada Merritt K-8 Center

How can parents help? Making sure the child is attending school regularly and on time Monitoring the child’s progress through the student agenda, the Grade Book Parent Viewer and communication with the school Ensuring that students meet the expectations of the Parent/Student Honor Code Reading, watching or listening to national and international news and discussing their impact Asking students open-ended questions to allow them to define and express their opinions Encouraging and assisting your child in becoming more involved in community service and school activities Visit the school’s website for additional current information: MYP Section Ada Merritt K-8 Center

A COMMUNITY OF LEARNERS Fifth Grade Parent Orientation December 9, 2010 A COMMUNITY OF LEARNERS Intellectual growth should commence at birth and cease only at death. Albert Einstein Ada Merritt K-8 Center