MYP1: English
The aims of the teaching and study of Language A are to encourage and enable the student to use language as a vehicle for thought, creativity, reflection, learning and self-expression. The Language A curriculum for MYP1 provides the foundation for the development of five essential language skills – speaking, listening, reading, writing and viewing through a variety of literary and non-literary texts studied within the units.
The MYP 1 Language A course helps the students to develop their writing skills as they enter the MYP programme, as well as to encourage students to develop a passion for language and reading. There will be four major units in MYP 1 – 'Autobiography; Writing about self', 'Greek Mythology', 'An introduction to Drama' and 'Conflict'. Through the course of study, the students will have ample opportunities to explore themselves and their social environment, and start the development of critical thinking skills. They will respond to literature in creative ways, both verbally and non-verbally. Students will also be introduced to the language and skills of debate.
Each unit will be explored through one or two of the five areas of interaction (Approaches to learning, CAS, Human Ingenuity, Environment and Health and Social Education) which will enable students to place learning in context, explore broader issues and develop attitudes and values based on knowledge and skills.
Course Topics
Autobiography; Me, myself, and I
“What makes me so interesting?” and “How can I make my writing engaging?” are the essential questions in this unit. While reading Roald Dahl's autobiography Boy as well as various extracts from other sources, students will look at how different writers make their stories interesting and try to apply the techniques to their own writing. The students will use the writing process to produce their own 'autobiography' in order to share stories from their own lives.
Greek Mythology
By reading and listening to various myths from ancient Greece, students will think about what meanings myths about gods, goddesses, and heroes had for the ancient Greeks and what meanings the Greek myths have for us today. They will practice essential research skills and present their findings through oral presentations. Students will also analyze the structure of ancient myths and write their own myth.
Drama
In this unit students will explore how people express themselves through drama, as well as learning basic drama skills such as observation, concentration, listening, cooperation and trust. They will learn that through drama they can continually challenge themselves from their own level of comfort and build courage, self-esteem and confidence. Students will also perform a small play or skit to show both verbal and non-verbal communication skills.
Conflict
In this unit, the students will explore the various types of conflicts in literature and the effects of conflict, (both positive and negative), in general. Debate skills will be the focus of this unit.
Teaching and Assessment
Teaching
In MYP 1 there are six 45 minute periods of language A per week. In Language A, as in all other MYP courses, students are taught to use an inquiry based approach to learning. Units are student-centered and revolve around their responses to the central question. Students are actively engaged in their own learning and are encouraged to question and investigate. Their questions and responses are essential to the learning of the whole class. Individual, small group and class work is key to the study of Language A. Knowledge and new skills will be developed through a variety of teaching methods including discussion and debate, research, presentations and drama. During the course, students' prior knowledge is built upon and time is given for reflection and consolidation.
LANGUAGE A (ENGLISH)Assessment
Assessment in the IB MYP Language A programme takes two forms: formative and summative evaluation of student performance. Throughout the year, students will be assessed on a variety of oral and written work including dramatic presentations, formal essays, tests, oral commentaries, poetry writing, role plays, creative writing assignments and journal writing.
Materials
Throughout the year reading texts and novels will be provided by the school. However, students are required to purchase notebooks, binders and writing materials as identified in the Middle School supply list.
LANGUAGE A (ENGLISH)MYP2: English
The aims of the teaching and study of Language A are to encourage and enable the student to use language as a vehicle for thought, creativity, reflection, learning and self-expression. The Language Arts curriculum for MYP 2 aims to continue the development of the five essential language skills – speaking, listening, reading, writing and viewing through a variety of literary and non-literary texts studied within the units.
There will be five major units of study in MYP 2– 'Science Fiction', 'Poetry', 'Drama', 'The Spoken Word' and 'Teen challenges'. The MYP 2 Language A course focuses on the development of writing skills and critical thinking skills. Students will respond to literature in a variety of ways including learning how to develop an argument and how to write an essay. They will examine the power of words and understand how to use language to persuade. The final unit of study will be an individual novel study, where students will be guided towards more independent learning.
Each unit will be explored through one or two of the five areas of interaction (Approaches to learning, CAS, Human Ingenuity, Environment and Health and Social Education) which will enable students to place learning in context, explore broader issues and develop attitudes and values based on knowledge and skills.
Course Topics
Science Fiction
Students will study the genre of science fiction by reading short stories and a novel. They will compare texts to find similarities in the genre studied. Also, they will explore the importance of the environment in the novel and write an essay related to this concept.
Poetry: The Power of Words
In this unit, students will respond to the questions, “What makes a good poem?” and “Why do some words mean more than others?” They will learn how to read and write poems and how to write a personal response to poetry.
Drama
Students will read parts of the original version of Romeo and Juliet, as well watch scenes from two Romeo and Juliet movies. They will write an essay to analyze different directors’ interpretation of the original text. Then, as a team, they will plan, and perform an extract of the play using their own interpretation.
The Power of Persuasion
During this unit students will understand variations in spoken and written language, explaining why language changes in relation to contexts and evaluate the impact of language choices in their own and others’ use. In particular, they will explore the language of speeches and how to convince different audiences.
Teen Challenges
In this novel study, students will read about the experiences of teenagers who have faced challenges such as war, poverty, slavery and neglect. Students will be encouraged to become more autonomous learners as they will be working in small groups according to their novel of choice. Discussions on the novels will be student lead and each group will be expected to present the themes and content of their reading to the rest of the class.
LANGUAGE A (ENGLISH)Teaching and Assessment
Teaching
In MYP 2 there are six 45 minute periods of language A per week. In Language A, as in all other MYP courses, students are taught to use an inquiry based approach to learning. Units are student-centered and revolve around their responses to the central question. Students are actively engaged in their own learning and are encouraged to question and investigate. Their questions and responses are essential to the learning of the whole class. Individual, small group and class work is key to the study of Language A. Knowledge and new skills will be developed through a variety of teaching methods including discussion and debate, research, presentations and drama. During the course, students' prior knowledge is built upon and time is given for reflection and consolidation.
Assessment
Assessment in the IB MYP Language A programme takes two forms: formative and summative evaluation of student performance. Throughout the year, students will be assessed on a variety of oral and written work including dramatic presentations, formal essays, tests, oral commentaries, poetry writing, role plays, creative writing assignments and journal writing.
Materials
Throughout the year reading texts and novels will be provided by the school. However, students are required to purchase notebooks, binders and writing materials as identified in the Middle School supply list.
LANGUAGE A (ENGLISH)MYP3: English
The aims of the teaching and study of Language A are to encourage and enable the student to use language as a vehicle for thought, creativity, reflection, learning and self-expression. The Language Arts curriculum for MYP 3 aims to continue the development of the five essential language skills – speaking, listening, reading, writing and viewing through a variety of literary and non-literary texts studied within the units.
There will be five major units of study in MYP 3 – 'The short story', 'Identity', 'Drama', 'Prejudice' and 'Responsibility'. Students will analyze the elements of fiction and have the opportunity to apply them in their own writing. They will also practice writing a personal narrative as well as learn how to structure a literary essay. Drama will also be a focus of this course as students really learn how to get into character.
Each unit will be explored through one or two of the five areas of interaction (Approaches to learning, CAS, Human Ingenuity, Environment and Health and Social Education) which will enable students to place learning in context, explore broader issues and develop attitudes and values based on knowledge and skills.
Course Topics
The Short Story
Students will study the short story genre, reading a variety of short stories from different cultures and different centuries. They will analyze the elements of a good short story and will produce their own piece of creative writing.
Identity
In this unit students will consider individual identity and how people come to be who they are. As well as considering what influences the fictional characters in The Outsiders by S.E Hinton students will also consider what has influenced them. They will practice oral skills through role-play, discussions and presentations, and as a final assessment, they will write a personal narrative.
Understanding Prejudice
Students will read a variety of texts dealing with different types of prejudice, including; Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes, The Dinner Party by Mona Gardner and To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. In this Unit Students will examine the causes and consequences of prejudice and practice essay writing skills.
Drama
Students will concentrate on characterization while studying the genre of drama. They will create a scrapbook for one of the characters in the play. They will then practice their acting and presentation skills and will focus on really becoming the character they are playing.
Responsibility
In this unit students will consider the questions “In life should we by bystanders or upstanders?” And “How do we choose?” They will read a novel of their choice on the subject of the Holocaust. Choices include; Ann Frank, The Diary Of A Young Girl, I have Lived A Thousand Years, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, and The Devil's Arithmetic. Students will read independently and consider different ways to present the themes and content of their chosen book to the rest of the class. This unit will encourage students to take responsibility for their own learning and will practice time management and presentation skills.
LANGUAGE A (ENGLISH)Teaching and Assessment
Teaching
In MYP 3 there are six 45 minute periods of language A per week. In Language A, as in all other MYP courses, students are taught to use an inquiry based approach to learning. Units are student-centered and revolve around their responses to the central question. Students are actively engaged in their own learning and are encouraged to question and investigate. Their questions and responses are essential to the learning of the whole class. Individual, small group and class work is key to the study of Language A. Knowledge and new skills will be developed through a variety of teaching methods including discussion and debate, research, presentations and drama. During the course students' prior knowledge is built on and time is given for reflection and consolidation.
Assessment
Assessment in the IB MYP Language A programme takes two forms: formative and summative evaluation of student performance. Throughout the year, students will be assessed on a variety of oral and written work including dramatic presentations, formal essays, tests, oral commentaries, poetry writing, role plays, creative writing assignments and journal writing.
Materials
Throughout the year reading texts and novels will be provided by the school. However, students are required to purchase notebooks, binders and writing materials as identified in the Middle School supply list.
LANGUAGE A (ENGLISH)MYP4: English
The aims of the teaching and study of Language A are to encourage and enable the student to use language as a vehicle for thought, creativity, reflection, learning and self-expression. The Language Arts curriculum for MYP 4 aims to continue the development of the five essential language skills – speaking, listening, reading, writing and viewing through a variety of literary and non-literary texts studied within the units.