The International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program

IB at North

North Mecklenburg High School 2013 - 2014 The International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program

The International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program (MYP) is a five-year program, beginning in 6th grade and finishing in the 10th. IB Students in the 9th and 10th grades are considered MYP students, preparing to cross the bridge into the Diploma Program (DP) in the 11th and 12th grades. The MYP is a CMS Magnet Program for students who are highly motivated and have a desire to achieve in the classroom, who want to experience a holistic, advanced curriculum, who will engage in their communities both in school and out of school, and who want to learn about the world from a global perspective.

MYP Objectives The Middle Years Program aims to develop in students  the disposition and capacity to be lifelong learners  the capacity to adapt to a rapidly changing reality  problem-solving, practical skills, intellectual rigor  the capacity and self-confidence to act individually and collaboratively  the awareness of global issues and the willingness to act responsibly  respect for others and appreciation of similarities and differences  the ability to engage in meaningful and effective communication across frontiers

International Baccalaureate at North Meck The International Baccalaureate was organized in the late 1960s to serve students who needed a high school education recognized at the best universities around the world. It operates today in over 3200 high schools worldwide. North Mecklenburg High School has had an IB program since 1994, and in 2013, we graduated our 17th class! North IB graduates have seen great success in college admission, graduate school performance, and in professional and career life.

There are approximately 400 students enrolled in the MYP at North Meck for the 2013-2014 school year. Following the MYP, IB students may choose to enter the Diploma Program in their junior year. At that point, IB students in the 11th and 12th grades will be considered Diploma Candidates, taking a full IB schedule and fulfilling all of the requirements of the International Baccalaureate.

Contact Information Harriet Regen, IB Coordinator at NMHS [email protected] Kristi Eglody, IB Counselor at NMHS [email protected] Mary Kendrick, IBMYP Coordinator at JMA & NMHS [email protected]

More about IB at North on the NMHS Website. Click the IB link. http://schools.cms.k12.nc.us/northmecklenburgHS IB at North

The MYP Curriculum: What will students experience academically?

 A student-centered program built around three fundamental concepts: communication, holistic learning, and intercultural awareness.

 A balanced curriculum that includes instruction in math, language arts, science, global studies, foreign language, technology, and physical education.

 Academic rigor: The MYP emphasizes inquiry, critical thinking, analysis, reflection, and the development of independent research skills. Students write extensively in all disciplines. Open-ended learning experiences such as problem-solving activities, investigations, organized debates, hands-on experimentation, portfolios, and student- driven projects are common.

 A unique framework known as Areas of Interaction. The AOIs provide a focus for developing connections between subjects. They also foster inquiry and offer students opportunities to explore real-life issues. They are Approaches to Learning, Community and Service, Human Ingenuity, Environments, and Health and Social Education. Every unit of work is built around one of the five Areas of Interaction (AOIs).

 Meaningful assessments: The MYP has identified a set of learning objectives for each subject area. These objectives are directly related to pre-determined assessment criteria. Student success in reaching learning objectives is regularly measured in terms of levels of achievement described in MYP assessment rubrics. Student progress is measured by a wide-variety of tasks, including essays, projects, performances, reflective assessments, scientific labs, investigations, and presentations.

Here is a sample unit overview for the first quarter of 9th grade Biology:

Unit Title Unit Area of Significant Assessment MYP Criteria Approaches Question Interaction Concept(s) Task(s) Used for to Learning Assessment Skills Ecology How do our Environments The world is Population Growth Lab Processing Information and actions affect intricately Unit Test Data Literacy Population the biosphere? interconnected. Home Waste Audit Growth Food Web Poster Knowledge and Organization Understanding Collaboration IB at North

10th Grade Personal Project This is the capstone of the MYP experience in which students produce a truly creative body of work over a full year, with the guidance of teachers. Personal Projects must reflect a personal understanding of the Areas of Interaction. Students are expected to choose their own topic and project and take the process through to completion. 10th Grade MYP English teachers direct the process, but in early September, students will be paired with faculty members who serve as Personal Project advisors throughout the year. A successful Personal Project is a requirement for continuation in IB.

The PERSONAL PROJECT GUIDE is available on the 10th Grade page of the IB website. Personal Project Presentations: April 21-25, 2014. Personal Project Supervisor: Melissa Mitchell [email protected]

The IB Continuum

Five-Year Course of Study in MYP

Year I (Grade 6) Year II (Grade 7) Year III (Grade 8) Year IV (Grade 9) Year V (Grade 10)

IBMYP Language Arts 6 IBMYP Language Arts 7 IBMYP Language Arts 8 IBMYP English I IBMYP English II IBMYP Mathematics 6 IBMYP Mathematics 7 IBMYP Mathematics 8 IBMYP Geometry IBMYP Algebra II IBMYP Science 6 IBMYP Science 7 IBMYP Algebra I IBMYP Earth/Env IBMYP Physics IBMYP Humanities 6 IBMYP Humanities 7 IBMYP Science 8 IBMYP Health & PE IBMYP Chemistry IBMYP Exploring IBMYP World Language IBMYP Humanities 8 IBMYP World History IBMYP Civics & Econ Foreign Languages (Spanish or French) IBMYP World Language IBMYP World Language IBMYP World Language IBMYP Health & PE 6 IBMYP Health & PE 7 (Spanish or French I) (Spanish or French II) (Spanish or French III) IBMYP Technology IBMYP Technology IBMYP Health & PE 8 IBMYP Biology Elective (CTE) (CTE) IBMYP Technology Elective Elective IBMYP Arts (Dance, IBMYP Arts (Dance, (CTE) Music, or Visual Arts) Music, or Visual Arts) IBMYP Arts (Dance, Music, or Visual Arts)

MYP Portfolios and Portfolio Review Days Students in the MYP program will be maintaining Portfolios of work in order to document their achievements from year to year, to reflect on their learning, and share their progress. Parents will be invited to a Portfolio Review Day when students will lead a discussion about their work in MYP.

Preparation for the Diploma Program The goal of the Middle Years Program is to serve as the bridge for students to move into the Diploma Program in the 11th grade. The DP is a challenging two-year program that prepares students for success in college. Students, who are then considered to be “Candidates for the Diploma,” take a full load of six IB Diploma courses plus TOK (Theory of Knowledge): English, foreign language, the humanities, science, math, and the arts. In addition, DP students complete the Extended Essay, a 4000-word research project in an academic area of their choice. Students take IB examinations in May of their senior year. Exam scores, combined with various other IB assessments, determine whether or not students earn the IB Diploma.

In order to continue in IB, students must meet all continuation requirements each year as indicated in the Magnet Program Expectations Agreement to be signed during the first week of school. IB at North

Community & Service Community & Service is at the heart of an MYP student’s IB experience. In the 9th and 10th grade, our goal is to help foster in students an awareness of the needs and opportunities in their communities, and to help them recognize their capacity for affecting the lives of people around them. Community & Service grows into CAS (Creativity, Action, and Service) once students enter the Diploma Program in the 11th grade.

Each month, new volunteer opportunities will be posted on the IB website and on the MYP bulletin board (B-Hall). Guidelines and sample activities are also available online. Community & Service activities must demonstrate IB’s 8 Learning Outcomes, and, on a monthly basis, students are to use Reflection Forms to document hours and experiences. Forms are due on the 12 th of each month.

The service requirement for 9th grade is 35 hours and for 10th grade is 40 hours. For more Community & Service information, reflection forms, and lists of opportunities, click on the CAS link on the IB website.

CAS Coordinator: Megan Sage Townsend [email protected]

Parent Involvement through IBPAC The mission of the North Mecklenburg High School IB Parent Action Council is to foster IB student success by providing support to students, families, and educators through effective communication and partnership. . Fundraising and financial support . Hosting the Alumni Reunion Celebration for new graduates . Community relations and Volunteer Fair . Faculty and staff recognition . Roundtable Discussion Series for Students and Parents

Meetings are held monthly in the Media Center at NMHS at 7:00. For specific dates, visit the IBPAC page of the IB Wiki. IBPAC Contact: Kim Bradford [email protected]

Enrichment Periods and IB Tutoring Students who need extra help in their classes are encouraged to use the Thursday & Friday Enrichment periods to meet with teachers or to sign up for tutoring with our 11th and 12th grade Diploma Program students. IB study halls are also available for those who need time to work on homework. Tip for parents: IB teachers maintain Wiki pages for their students. We encourage students to check those pages frequently for assignments, due dates, and reminders!

Academic Integrity and the Honor Policy Enclosed you will find a copy of the IB Honor Policy. We believe that students at North Meck should maintain the highest standard of academic integrity, and our goal is to help them understand and achieve this. Please review the document with your student. It is to be signed and returned to his/her English teacher during the first week of school.

Save the Date: Barnes and Noble Book Fair Birkdale Shopping Center - Saturday, September 7, 2013 Come purchase all books and raise money for NMHS! Tell them you are a North Meck Viking!