The IB Middle Years Programme is the framework for instruction in grades 6-10.
- Teachers use IB criteria to assess work within their subject areas.
- Students in grades 6-10 take courses in all eight subject areas.
- In the 10th grade, students complete an exhibition of their learning called the Personal Project.
Areas of Interaction (AOI)
The MYP model is a curriculum framework based on the idea that all knowledge is connected. Teachers emphasize this idea through the Areas of Interaction. These five areas are meant to help students see the inter-connectedness of their subjects. The five areas are as follows:
- Approaches to Learning (ATL): Skills to help students become more independent in their learning;
- Human Ingenuity (HI): The idea that humans are creative and that creations have consequences;
- Health and Social Education: Inquiry into a range of issues including social, emotional, intellectual impacts on different cultural settings;
- Community and Service: Helping students apply their learning to the community around them; and
- Environments: Looking at all surrounding conditions and the impact we have on them and that they have on us.
Learner Profile
All students will become familiar with and we hope value the IB MYP Learner Profile traits as they become a part of the Harrison Prep community. The traits and their descriptions are as follows:
Inquirers
- develop natural curiosity
- get the skills needed to do research
- show independence in learning
- actively enjoy learning
- become a life-long learner
Knowledgeable
- explore concepts, ideas and issues with local and global importance
- explore information or content areas deeply
- develop understanding across all subject areas
Thinkers
- apply thinking skills critically and creatively to problem-solving
- recognize complex problems
- make reasoned, ethical decisions
Communicators
- understand and express ideas/information confidently
- express ideas/information in more than one language
- uses a variety of modes of communication
- work effectively and willingly in collaboration with others
Principled
- act with integrity and honesty
- has a strong sense of fairness, justice and respect for the dignity of the individual, groups, and communities
- take responsibility for their own actions and consequences that come with those decisions
Open-Minded
- understand and appreciate personal histories and cultures
- open to perspectives, values and traditions of other individuals and communities
- seek out and evaluate a range of points of view
- willing to grow from the experiences had when encountering other perspectives
Caring
- show empathy, compassion, and respect towards the needs and feelings of others
- have a personal commitment to service
- act to make a positive difference to the lives of others and environment
Risk-takers
- approach unfamiliar situations and uncertainty with courage and thinking ahead
- have the independence of spirit to explore new roles, ideas, and strategies
- defend beliefs with bravery and articulation
Balanced
- want to achieve personal well-being for self and others
- understand the importance of intellectual, physical, and emotional balance
Reflective
- give thoughtful consideration to own learning and experience
- assess and understand strengths and limitations
- know how to support own learning and personal development
High Expectations
Teachers will engage in instructional practices that research has proven to yield high performance for all students. Student work will be meaningful, engaging and rigorous.
Expectations for post-secondary education will be embedded
in the curriculum from the beginning. Students explore career opportunities, build a personal portfolio and participate in an early college awareness program.