The International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP)
At WIS we are developing and teaching the IB curriculum throughout all grade levels. The Middle Years Programme (MYP) is taught from Grade 6 to Grade 9. The MYP is an international program that has no bias toward any particular national system. It has been designed as a coherent and comprehensive curriculum framework that provides academic challenges and develops the life skills of students from the ages of 11 to 16. At a time when students are establishing their identity and building their self-esteem, the MYP can motivate students and help them to achieve success in school and in life beyond the classroom. It is a challenging framework that encourages students to make practical connections between their studies and the real world. The Programme allows students to build on their personal strengths and to embrace challenges in subjects in which they might not excel. The MYP offers students opportunities to develop their potential, to explore their own learning preferences, to take appropriate risks, and to reflect on, and develop, a strong sense of personal identity – preparing them for the IB Diploma Programme.
Students follow courses from the following subject groups:
• Language and Literature (English and Chinese)
• Language Acquisition (English and Chinese)
• Mathematics
• Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
• Individuals & Societies
• The Arts (Music, Visual Arts)
• Physical and Health Education
• Design
The subject content is organized around Global Contexts. They are designed to encourage the students to make worthwhile connections between the real world and classroom learning.
These Global Contexts are:
• Identities & Relationships
• Orientation in space and time
• Personal & cultural expression
• Scientific and technical innovation
• Globalization and sustainability
• Fairness and development
In the MYP students develop skills that help them to “learn how to learn”, the so-called Approaches to Learning skills. IB students strive to be caring members of the community and are therefore encouraged to participate in Service as Action projects. Grade 9 students complete a community project.
