ISG+ Secondary school offers the first three years of Secondary education following Year 2, 3 and 4 of Middle Years Programme (MYP) from the International Baccalaureate (IB). The IB also refer to these years as 7, 8 & 9. Our subject teachers will differentiate the content of their courses to make sure all year groups are catered to and have the support needed to reach their full potential in each discipline. Our students will also work on common projects to benefit from the class set-up and to learn from each other.
MYP subject groups
The MYP requires at least 50 hours of teaching time for each subject group in each year of the programme. The students also work each year on at least one interdisciplinary unit that involves at least two subject groups.
Mathematics
In Mathematics we will cover four branches of mathematical study: numerical and abstract reasoning, thinking with models, spatial reasoning, and reasoning with data.
Our mathematics program promotes critical-thinking and problem-solving skills as well as real life applications of mathematics. We will instil the concept of inquiry to encourage students to apply their mathematical knowledge in new situations. In the first years of the MYP, we will cover percentages, ratios, statistics, 2D & 3D shapes, graphing, scaling, and algebra.
Language & Literature
In the Language & Literature course our students will develop their listening, speaking, reading, writing, viewing and presenting skills, both as independent and interdependent skills. The lessons will offer, among others, the study of different genres (for example, short and long fiction, extracts and full-length works, poetry, drama, non-fiction and visual texts), the study of a range of literature and will have a world literature component. The key concepts that will spark our learning are communication, connections, creativity and perspective.
Additional language
The study of an additional language in the MYP provides students with the opportunity to develop insights into the features, processes and craft of language and the concept of culture. The aims of MYP language acquisition are to encourage and enable students to gain proficiency in an additional language while supporting maintenance of their mother tongue and cultural heritage. In this way, students also develop a respect for, and understanding of, diverse linguistic and cultural heritages.
At ISG+ we aim to design a learning trajectory that best prepares students for their future, as well as possible enrolment opportunities in DP courses within the IB-curriculum. In MYP years 2&3, we will offer Dutch courses at two levels: emergent and capable.
Sciences
Science promotes inquiry by developing conceptual understanding within global contexts. We will work to cultivate analytical thinking and flexible minds able to question and develop approaches to answer those questions.
The MYP Science curriculum explores the connections between science and everyday life. The key concepts we will explore are change, relationships and systems.
In MYP 2 & 3 we will include units on scientific process, biology, environmental science, and chemistry.
Individuals & Societies
Individuals & Societies (I&S) encourages learners to respect and understand the world around them, and equips them with the necessary skills to inquire into historical, geographical, political, social, economic, and cultural factors that affect us in different contexts.The approach to I&S includes a strong focus on inquiry and investigation. After getting acquainted with the relevant terminology, students learn through action and realize that both content and methodology can be debatable. In this way, I&S helps students to appreciate the diversity of human cultures, attitudes and beliefs. Key concepts such as change, global interactions, time, place and space frame the curriculum.
In MYP 2 & 3 we will work with interdisciplinary units that are structured around a specific inquiry question, e.g. ‘What was life like in the Middle Ages?’. In one specific unit there might be a stronger focus on one discipline, such as history, but other disciplines will also be covered within the unit.
Arts
During Art lessons, students will be able to function as artists and as learners of the arts. This course enables students to develop not only practical skills but also creative- and critical-thinking strategies. The key concepts contributed by the study of arts are aesthetics, change, communication and identity.
In MYP 2 & 3 students will focus on at least one visual arts discipline (Media arts or Visual arts) and one performing arts discipline (Dance, Music, Theatre). In the final two years of the MYP ISG+ will guide students to choose the art discipline that resonates most with them and they want to pursue further academically.
Students will work with an arts process journal: a self-maintained (digital) record of their progress (written, visual, audio) within the course. It as an evolving record of the artistic intentions, processes, accomplishments and journey of our student artists.
Design
The Design course challenges students to apply practical and creative-thinking skills to solve design problems; encourages students to explore the role of design in historical and contemporary contexts; and raises students’ awareness of their responsibilities when making design decisions and taking action.
Students are encouraged to develop knowledge, understanding and skills from different disciplines to design and create solutions to problems using the design cycle.
In the first years of the MYP, we will work on design projects to improve our school, health, and community.
Physical education & Health
In this course students develop knowledge, skills and attitudes that contribute to a balanced and healthy lifestyle. Students engaged in physical and health education will explore a variety of concepts that help foster an awareness of physical development and health perspectives, as well as positive social interaction.
Physical and health education focuses on both learning about and learning through physical activity. It also provides a unique perspective to the development of the IB learner profile. Students not only learn to appreciate and respect the ideas of others, but also develop effective collaboration and communication skills.
An example of an inquiry question in MYP Year 2/3: ‘How can thinking logically help you to be successful in a badminton match?’ The unit will take this as a starting point to develop knowledge and understanding, after which we will continue towards planning for performance, applying and performing, and reflection.
International School Ghent vzw is a candidate school* for the MYP. This school is pursuing authorization as an IB World School. IB World Schools share a common philosophy - a commitment to high-quality, challenging, international education - that we believe is important for our students.
*Only schools authorized by the IB Organization can offer any of its four academic programmes: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), the Diploma Programme (DP), or the Career-related Programme (CP). Candidate status gives no guarantee that authorization will be granted.
For futher information about the IB and its programmes visit http://www.ibo.org
