Good Classroom Practice in the MYP

An example of Teaching and learning in the MYP

Grade 7 students are currently exploring the concepts of change, perspectives, and persuasion.

The Statement of Inquiry in the current unit is "Change may occur when we encounter others' perspectives and this can lead to innovation in a diverse and interconnected world."
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This week students read the first chapter of The Village by the Sea. They were given 5 stations to work at, in any order, around the idea of 'point of view'. 

Stations:
1. Cards: What is something one of the characters would say? Write this on the card provided. 
2. Colour Symbol Image: Create a Colour Symbol Image for one of the characters using your iPad or paper and felt tips. Write a blurb explaining your choices in around 50 words
3. Painting: Use colours meaningfully to paint symbols and pictures for thoughts/feelings from one of the character's point of view.
4. Pipe cleaners: Create a symbol to represent a character's point of view portraying their outlook
5. iPad/Book: Write, from the point of view of one of the characters, about their life circumstances.

An MYP classroom is a lively place, characterised by collaborative and purposeful activity. Within this community, students are empowered to do their best, for themselves, and to contribute to the learning and well-being of others. They are supportive of each other and will come to establish their personal set of beliefs and values. The classroom community encourages reflection, and values thoughtful consideration of issues, problems, and success.

An MYP classroom is also a balanced classroom, in the sense that teachers balance the pursuit of understanding and the construction of meaning with the acquisition of knowledge, skills and attitudes. To do this, teachers use a range of teaching and assessment strategies and resources to meet the needs of each student. In this setting, students are actively engaged in planning and assessing their own learning. MYP classrooms are dynamic learning environments, with students moving from group work to individual work in response to their needs and the needs of their inquiries. In summary, an MYP classroom is a place for thinking and where the expectations are high. It is an environment that is focused on learning. 

​MYP: From principles into practice. May 2014 (updated September 2017).