MYP Approaches to Learning at GISC

Dear GISC Community,

 

As you may know, our Middle School team is currently in its first of three years of implementing the International Baccalaureate (IB)’s Middle Years Program (MYP). This will result in all of GISC’s pedagogy (how we teach and how we learn) to be consistent with IB ideology, summed up as follows: The aim of an IB education is "to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect." Furthermore, the IB programs "encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right."

 

Indeed, our Middle School faculty with the guidance of our MYP Coordinator Meg Rich have worked all year to create well-articulated MYP units. The Middle School faculty and students are now ready to show you insights into how the MYP Approaches to Learning & Teaching translate into powerful and meaningful lessons in our Middle School.

Titled "GISC Insight: MYP Showcase," this event on Tuesday, March 26, 2024 will include brief explanations of the MYP Approaches to Learning which teachers and students will demonstrate in brief classroom simulations. In short, you will learn about the MYP in theory and in practice. This event is open to all parents interested in learning how the MYP is shaping Middle School instruction at GISC – and I really encourage you to attend. I thank the Middle School team and students for their work and passion in this thoughtful presentation about the MYP.

 

Beginning next year, the MYP adaptation will result in a newly designed Middle School report card that will give you specific insights into how your children are invested in the process of learning via the MYP Approaches to Learning that are tied to a) research skills, b) social skills, c) thinking skills (critical and analytical thinking), d) communication skills, and e) self-management skills. Also next year, you may expect an end-of year learning exhibition by our students that will be attended by our IB MYP Consultant, who will also work with our faculty in workshop sessions during this visit to ensure that GISC is ready for its initial IB MYP authorization visit in 2026-2027.

 

We look forward to seeing you on March 26!

 

All the best,

Ben