A Complete Guide to the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) for Students & Parents

International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP) Explained

International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP) is designed for students aged 3 to 19. The core curriculum outlines scope for personal growth and practical knowledge about real-world situations. The IB MYP subjects focus on learners and effective approach to teaching and learning. Its flexible curriculum features intercultural understanding and holistic learning. Students who undertake IB MYP are well-versed with taking up the challenges of the GCSE and the IB diploma.

The curriculum covers the educational framework for students aged 11 to 16 (Grades 6-10). IB MYP follows a pedagogical approach which emphasizes interdisciplinary learning and global knowledge. Further, IB curriculum encourages awareness and reflection of meta cognition through Approaches to Learning (ATL).

Now, let us take a look at IB subjects:

1) Language and Literature

MYP language and literature courses focus on six core skills – reading, writing, listening, speaking, viewing and presenting. It also teaches students to make decisions, form opinions and engage in ethical debate and reasoning. The assessment criteria has eight possible achievement levels (1–8) that are divided into four criteria:

Criterion A: Analysing
Criterion B: Organizing
Criterion C: Producing text
Criterion D: Using language

2) Language Acquisition

The Middle Years Programme of International Baccalaureate promotes a diverse way of living and viewing the world. Acquiring an additional language allows developing critical thinking and global-level understanding. Similar to language and literature, its assessment criteria is divided into four parameters which requires students to cover eight possible achievement levels (1-8).

Criterion A: Comprehending spoken and visual text
Criterion B: Comprehending written and visual text
Criterion C: Communicating in response to spoken and/or written and/or visual text
Criterion D: Using language in spoken and/or written form

3) Individuals and Societies

The MYP individuals and societies subject group helps students develop inquiry skills that lead towards conceptual understandings of the relationships between individuals and society. Assessment criteria has eight possible achievement levels (1-8) that is categorised into four criteria:

Criterion A: Knowing and understanding
Criterion B: Investigating
Criterion C: Communicating
Criterion D: Thinking critically

4) Science

MYP Science framework can be understood with an IB online tutor who can guides students to collaborate and investigate issues through research, experimentation and observation. It enables students to cultivate science as a human endeavour and develop skills to design and perform investigations. The assessment is divided into four criteria and has eight possible achievement levels (1-8).

Criterion A: Knowledge and understanding
Criterion B: Inquiring and designing
Criterion C: Processing and evaluating
Criterion D: Reflecting on the impacts of science

5) Mathematics

IB MYP Mathematics promotes a powerful universal language, problem-solving skills and analytical reasoning that motivate them to learn and apply them to new situations. The objective of the assessment is understanding the students’ work based on four criteria marked upon eight possible achievement levels (1-8).

Criterion A: Knowing and understanding
Criterion B: Investigating patterns
Criterion C: Communicating
Criterion D: Applying mathematics in real-life contexts

6) Arts

Effective learning and creative expression is a part of MYP arts. Students understand the cultural and histories of art which further enriches their personal identity. The four criterion has eight possible achievement levels (1-8).

Criterion A: Knowing and understanding
Criterion B: Developing skills
Criterion C: Thinking creativity
Criterion D: Respondings

7) Design

Students become eligible to explore the role of design in contemporary contexts. They not only develop practical skills but also learn to appreciate artwork and act with integrity and create solutions to problems. Its four criteria are judged based on eight possible achievement levels (1-8).

Criterion A: Inquiring and analysing
Criterion B: Developing ideas
Criterion C: Creating the solution
Criterion D: Evaluating

8) Physical and Health Education

MYP physical and health education empowers students to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Furthermore, develop a sense of social responsibility and develop effective collaboration skills. The eight possible achievement levels (1-8) are tested on four criteria.

Criterion A: Knowing and understanding
Criterion B: Planning for performance
Criterion C: Applying and performing
Criterion D: Reflecting and improving performance

9) Interdisciplinary Unit

The interdisciplinary unit allows students to integrate modes of thinking and integrate them into a deeper level of understanding. Its aim is to explore compelling issues and discover unique points of intellect. The four criteria are analysed based on eight possible achievement levels (1-8).

Criterion A: Disciplinary grounding
Criterion B: Synthesizing
Criterion C: Communicating
Criterion D: Reflecting

What is the difference between IB PYP vs IB MYP?

The International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme and IB Diploma Programme differ at multiple levels, such as the following:

Now that you understand the difference between IB PYP vs IB MYP, let us look at a few ways how students can prepare for IB MYP.

IB MYP Preparation for Students

When it comes to IB subjects and curriculum, there's a major difference between IB DP vs MYP which makes it necessary for students to hire MYP online tutor. While DP is more focused on assessments and subject matters, MYP emphasizes the importance of analytical thinking and interdisciplinary understanding. Working with an IB tutor at Baccalaureate Classes for any subject of middle year program helps in the following ways:

a) Strengthens the foundation and subject understanding
b) IB English online tutor helps with essay-writing skills
c) Allows development of critical thinking skills while building core consistency
d) IB tuition prepares students for advanced demands of the strict curriculum

If you are looking for IB online tuition for the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme or IB Diploma Programme, Baccalaureate Classes is the best choice for you. From IB Biology online tutor or IB math online tutor, find the right guidance at Baccalaureate Classes. Meet our tutors here.