Chevy Chase Elementary School

Classrooms > IB Middle Years  > IB Curriculum

The Eight Subjects

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The curriculum is taught through the following eight subjects:  Arts Humanities Language A Language B Mathematics Physical Education Science Technology

The Five Areas of Interaction

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Students in the MYP follow the MCPS curriculum with an emphasis on the Areas of Interaction. The five areas of interaction develop connections between the eight subject groups so that students will see knowledge as an interrelated, coherent whole.

• Approaches to Learning (ATL) – provides students with the tools to enable them to take responsibility for their learning. Central to this is “learning how to learn” and developing in individuals an awareness of how they learn best.
• Community and Service (C&S) – starts in the classroom and extends beyond it, requiring students to participate in the communities in which they live. Giving importance to the sense of community throughout the programme encourages responsible citizenship as it seeks to deepen students’ knowledge and understanding of the world around them. Students should be encouraged to make connections between their intellectual and social development and the benefits that they can contribute to the community by asking themselves, “How can I make a difference?” Students participate in school wide community service projects and are encouraged to do community service independently. Students should log their community service hours. Further questions about community service should be directed to the coordinator.
• Homo Faber (HF) – allows students to explore the processes and products of human creativity. It considers their impact on society and on the mind. Students learn to appreciate and develop in themselves the human capacity to influence, transform, enjoy and improve the quality of life. It is at the core of the student-centered learning, where the students themselves are placed in the position of homo Faber, solving problems, showing creativity and resourcefulness in a variety of context throughout the curriculum and school life.
• Environment (E) – aims to develop the students’ awareness of their interdependence with the environment so that they understand and accept their responsibilities. It deals with the importance of the local and global environment, the concepts of sustainable development in a context of increasing environmental threats.
• Health and Social Education (H&S) – deals with physical, social and emotional health and intelligence, key aspects of development leading to complete and healthy lives. Students will become better informed about health issues.

The Personal Project

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The personal project engages the student in independent inquiry and reflection.

In grade 10 students complete the personal project, which is, the product of the students’ own initiative and creativity. The personal project must reflect a personal understanding of the areas of interaction and the application of skills acquired through approaches to learning. The personal project involves planning, research and a high degree of personal reflection.