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About the MYP At Greenfield Community School, this programme began in 2008. The MYP puts an emphasis on the whole child and the child is at the centre of planning for teaching and learning. The MYP is for which classes? The MYP is the programme of study at Greenfield Community School for Grade 6 through Grade 10 (11 – 16 years old). How many students will be in the MYP? Initially there is one class in each grade. It is anticipated that the development of Phase 2 for Greenfield Community School will eventually house the full secondary programme (MYP and DP) in a three or four form entry school. What does an MYP student look like? An MYP student is: * An independent learner * A risk taker * A reflective student, who can recognize his/her own weaknesses * Someone who is not afraid to ask for help * An inquirer: a student who is encouraged to question * A student who can evaluate information critically * A clear communicator in multiple forms of expression * A kind, compassionate and sensitive member of an international community * A student who can develop an awareness of their own place in the world * Someone who is aware of the communities around them and who can seek ways to contribute to those communities in a positive way * An inventor, a creator, a researcher, a thinker What are the three foundation stones of the MYP? Intercultural awareness Holistic learning Communication Intercultural awareness * Making students proud and knowledgeable about their own culture(s) * Making students aware of the cultural similarities and differences around them * Promoting an understanding of how cultural, societal and historical influences from a variety of cultures have influenced what we know today * Promoting a better understanding and respect for each other’s cultures Holistic learning * Linking what is learnt in the classroom to the world outside * Developing students’ abilities to transfer knowledge and skills  from one subject group to another * Avoiding the “compartmentalisation” of knowledge * Encouraging a reflective approach to learning Communication * Developing language skills * Developing information technology skills * Encouraging students to use multiple forms of expression (visual and performing arts, ICT, language, written, oral, pictorial, symbolic) * Developing effective presentation skills * Developing different modes of thinking skills What are the eight subject groups of the MYP? * Languages A * Languages B * Mathematics * Sciences * Humanities * Technology * Arts * Physical Education All eight subject groups are seen as equal in status and importance. Physical Education is seen as important as Science. The Arts are seen as important as Mathematics. This does not mean that each subject group has the same amount of time allocated to it. The MYP aims to give students a balanced curriculum, developing breadth as well as depth in knowledge and understanding. Why choose the MYP The IB Middle Years Program Introduction The MYP will be introduced gradually until it will be offered in Grades 6-10. The framework for our program is the Middle Years Program (MYP hereafter) of the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO). This is the same organisation that provides the IB Diploma that will eventually be delivered by the school in grades eleven and twelve and the Primary Years Program (PYP) in our Primary School. The focus of this section is on the philosophy and structure of the curriculum, Why the MYP? • Its philosophy and objectives reflect those of the school • The MYP is a truly "international" program with no bias towards any particular national system. • It provides vertical consistency across grades with the IB Diploma in grades eleven and twelve and with the Primary Years • Many elements of the MYP are common to the skills required by the Diploma and developed in the PYP. • It provides for horizontal coherency across subject areas •The assessment within MYP subjects shares a common approach, and it has strong, linking inter-disciplinary elements • It is flexible enough to allow GCS to design the curriculum to fit our students' needs •The MYP does not prescribe content of subject areas, but provides a framework for their delivery •Support for curriculum development is available within the existing structure of the International Baccalaureate (IBO) About the MYP The Middle Years Program was originally developed by the International Schools Association, and then further developed by schools within the IBO during the early nineties. It is purpose-built for international schools like ours and is now being taught and implemented worldwide, with considerable growth in Europe, Asia and in the Americas. It is being implemented both in fee-paying international schools and in some state systems (for example in Quebec, where it is delivered in French). Languages of Instruction The MYP can be delivered in any language, although schools communicate with the IBO in English, French, Spanish or Chinese. Since the language of instruction at GCS is English most of our MYP program will be taught in this language. Philosophy of the MYP The core philosophy of the MYP reflects the experience of teachers and educationalists working in the field of international education. The whole program is under continual review and teachers in MYP schools are invited to contribute to this development. The philosophy is not a set of abstract ideas: its key elements permeate the whole curriculum and are practised throughout the curriculum model. The MYP provides a Holistic Education This means that the education of the adolescent should expose them to as many different subjects, skills and experiences as possible. They should have the opportunity to show their various strengths, gaining both a sense of personal achievement and also being rewarded for them. The MYP emphasizes Intercultural Awareness and Communication In our community it is essential that the curriculum reflects and is responsive to the different perspectives of all our students. It should also guide them in forming their own, truly international, outlook. This implies an emphasis on communication skills, both in the languages and other subjects. The MYP is Student-Centred In the new century it is vital that students develop an awareness of their own learning process and skills to continue learning throughout life. The curriculum seeks to shift the emphasis from teacher instruction to student learning wherever possible. How Do Students Benefit from the IB MYP? Because the five Areas of Interaction are woven throughout every MYP subject, all students participate in a process of learning that helps them see and understand the connections between what they study in school and what they have experienced in their lives. By examining this inter-relatedness, students develop critical-thinking and problem-solving skills embodied in questions such as: •Why did that happen? •What do I think about this, based on what I already know? •What effect does this event have on what I have learned in my other courses? •How could a different result be produced by different actions? Through the process of asking questions, seeking answers, and making connections, all students in the MYP can learn: •Good study and test-taking skills •Good writing and communication skills •Competence in using information technology •Sound decision-making processes •Principles of ethical reasoning •Physical and mental balance •Personal commitment to action, service, and responsible citizenship •Respect for the views, values, and traditions of others •Confidence to explore new roles, ideas, and strategies All students also benefit because the MYP requires the teaching staff of GCS to: •Meet regularly to share and refine their approaches to teaching •Attend IB trainings with teachers from around the world • Design interdisciplinary projects As a result of this coordination, GCS Primary School and GCS Middle School are integrated in a relationship that creates a seamless 6th - 10th grade program.