International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program

What is the IB Middle Years Program?

Students can participate in the IB Middle Years Program (MYP) in the seventh and eighth grades at Williams Middle School and in the ninth and tenth grades at Wilson High School. The IB Middle Years Program is an interdisciplinary curriculum that includes English, world languages, mathematics, social studies, science, the arts, technology, and physical education and provides academic rigor while emphasizing life skills and a sense of social responsibility through service activities.

The aim of all IB programmes is to develop internationally minded people who, recognizing their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet, help to create a better and more peaceful world. 

Inquirers: They develop their natural curiosity. They acquire the skills necessary to conduct inquiry and research and show independence in learning. They actively enjoy learning and this love of learning will be sustained throughout their lives. 

Knowledgeable: They explore concepts, ideas, and issues that have local and global significance. In so doing, they acquire in-depth knowledge and develop understanding across a broad and balanced range of disciplines. 

Thinkers: They exercise initiative in applying thinking skills critically and creatively to recognize and approach complex problems, and make reasoned, ethical decisions. 

Communicators: They understand and express ideas and information confidently and creatively in more than one language and in a variety of modes of communication. They work effectively and willingly in collaboration with others. 

Principled: They act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness, justice, and respect for the dignity of the individual, groups, and communities. They take responsibility for their own actions and the consequences that accompany them. 

Open-Minded: They understand and appreciate their own cultures and personal histories, and are open to the perspectives, values, and traditions of other individuals and communities. They are accustomed to seeking and evaluating a range of point of views and are willing to grow from the experience. 

Caring: They show empathy, compassion, and respect towards the needs and feelings of others. They have a personal commitment to service, and act to make a positive difference in the lives of others and to the environment. 

Risk-Takers: They approach unfamiliar situations and uncertainty with courage and forethought, and have the independence of spirit to explore new roles, ideas, and strategies. They are brave and articulate in defending their beliefs. 

Balanced: They understand the importance of intellectual, physical, and emotional balance to achieve personal well-being for themselves and others. 

Reflective: They give thoughtful consideration to their own learning and experience. They are able to assess and understand their strengths and limitations in order to support their learning and personal development. 

For more information, click here to check out the IB website. 

7th Grade Community Service Requirements 

Community Service is required for all students in the IB/MYP program. Service by Learning is an opportunity to put into action those IB Learner Profile attributes as well as the Approaches to Learning Skills students are expected to master in the IB program.   

Students are expected to meet 8 learning outcomes by the end of their 8th grade year in preparation for the Personal Project in the 10th grade. Students will focus on 4 during their 7th grade year.   

This year, we are focusing on the following learning outcomes for 7th grade:  

Learning Outcome 1: Increased awareness of your own strengths and areas of growth.
Learning Outcome 2: Undertook a new challenge
Learning Outcome 4: Worked collaboratively with others
Learning Outcome 8: Developed new skills  

Each quarter we are focusing on a different learning outcome, and for the 1st quarter, we are focusing on Learning Outcome 2: Undertook a new challenge. Students are expected to complete 2 activities where they undertake a new challenge. Because community service is new to many of them, they can pretty much do community service anywhere (e.g., Florence Museum, public library, nursing home, animal shelter, church events, etc.). The link for additional opportunities is at the bottom. We do not set up community service for students. Also, students are expected to reflect on their experience using the attached form, and collect evidence of their community service, which is listed on the form.   

Students are expected to stay a minimum of 1 hour to get credit, and a reflection form is due for each activity. Reflection forms will be uploaded to the MYP webpage on the Williams's website. At the end of the quarter, students will turn their community service reflection forms into their advisory teacher. Pocket folders are suggested so students can keep their community service forms organized.   

When opportunities arise, I will send an email. When you're aware of opportunities, please let me know so that I can share with other parents and students. 

The Community Project

What is the 8th grade Community Project?

The 8th Grade Community Project is a year-long, independent/group project. It is a requirement of the International Baccalaureate Organization. This project is designed to help students better prepare for the Personal Project that’s required in the 10th grade at Wilson High School.

The Purpose

The purpose of the Community Project is for students to apply and evaluate the Approaches to Learning skills and IB Learner Profile attributes they have acquired throughout their years at Williams Middle School by engaging with the Florence community to make it a better place. Students will generate new insights and develop deeper understandings of the world in which they live through an in-depth investigation, and communicate their findings to their peers and other community stakeholders.

By the end of the school year, students are expected to be able to plan and initiate activities, show perseverance and commitment to activities, engage with issues of global importance, and consider ethical implications of their actions.