NHS IB Program Overview
The IB program is a system that promotes preparation for college readiness, inquiry based learning and real world connections. All ninth and tenth graders will participate in MYP and eleventh and twelfth graders can enroll in single DP level courses or enroll for the full diploma status.
Some of the hallmarks of IB are international mindedness, community and service, the Learner Profile (LP), and unit design. Students and teachers are using the LP attributes when describing themselves, others, characters in books, etc. The attributes include such terms as: caring, risk-taker, thinker, communicator, reflective, knowledgeable, open minded, balanced, principled, and inquirer. Northville High School encourages parents to have a conversation with their students about some of these IB MYP terms and principles or stop in and ask staff.
MYP lessons begin with big, overarching questions that are timeless, relevant to students, and span (different subject areas). Examples of these questions are:
- What are the consequences of technology? (Language A)
- Where do social responsibilities begin and end? (Humanities)
- How do I look after myself and others? (Arts)
- What is “home sweet home”? (Language B)
- What is meant by inequality? (Math)
- How do little things make big differences? (Physical Education)
- How does change happen? (Science)
- How do written communications shape our lives? (Technology/Design Cycle)
These are MYP unit questions that students will remember, can successfully answer at their own level, and ones that use the content to teach a bigger idea.
Units culminate with IB MYP and DP assessment rubrics that challenge all students. These assessments go beyond tests and quizzes and involve the student in real-world connections. With these rubrics, students have the ability to continuously monitor their progress through their secondary years and across subjects, seeing their growth over time. The assessments use IB Command Terms to communicate the expectations.
IB Command Terms
IB MYP and DP students will become familiar with specific command terms used throughout their courses and programs. These instructional words will be common language for both students and teachers. See the document below for more information.
