History and development of the IBMYP at Godwin and Gar-Field	IBMYP GODWIN GAZETTE ISSUE 1 ISSUE 2 ISSUE 3 ISSUE 4 ISSUE 5 ISSUE 6 ISSUE 7 MYP PROJECTS 6TH GRADE MATH BUDGET PROJECT Budget Car Loans Careers and Salaries IB Assessment Criteria Spreadsheet MR. DINGERS SOCIAL STUDIES ASSESSMENT DUE 3/10/08 Social Studies Assessment Packet
	Who can apply? What are the necessary qualifications?
	Academic requirements
	General Regulations
	Information Meetings
	Application Procedures
	IBMYP Application
	Typical IBMYP course sequence
	Curriculum Model
	Community Service
	Student Materials

Godwin Middle School Contact Information
Mrs. Cindy Boddie, IBMYP Coordinator
Phone: 703-670-6166
Email - boddiech@pwcs.edu

Click Here to Visit the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) web site

History and development of the IBMYP at Godwin and Gar-Field

In 1997, Godwin Middle School began the process of implementing the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme.  This decision was the result of discussions among the staff, faculty, parents, and school community as we searched for a course of study which would be rigorous and provide a basis for life long learning for our students.  The IBO, a nonprofit educational foundation head quartered in Geneva, Switzerland, is well known for the rigorous, world class course of studies for 11th and 12th grade students which can lead to the awarding of the IB Diploma.  The Diploma, based on a student's achieving appropriate scores on tests in six subject areas as well as meeting other requirements, is recognized by many colleges and universities, and in many cases admission and advanced standing decisions are made based upon the diploma.   Currently there are approximately 500 high schools in the United States that are offering the IB Diploma program.  In Prince William County, Gar-Field Senior High School and Stonewall Jackson High School are such schools.

The IBO initiated the Middle Years Programme (IBMYP) in 1992. It is designed for students in the 11-16 age group and combines academic challenge and life skills appropriate for the adolescent years.  The IBMYP begins with the local school's established curriculum and adds the following Fundamental Concepts:

• Intercultural Awareness: This concept is concerned with developing students' attitudes and knowledge of their own and other cultures, both social and national. The purpose is to foster respect, tolerance, empathy and understanding.
  
• Holistic Education: The IBMYP requires an approach to teaching and learning which includes and extends traditional school subjects. The program emphasizes the study of traditional subjects. In addition, five Areas of Interaction provide a focus with which to link the disciplines so that students will learn to see knowledge as an interrelated whole which relates to the real world.  
  
• Communication: The IBMYP believes a good command of expression in all its forms is fundamental to learning. Particular emphasis is placed on language acquisition which promotes cognitive growth, cultural identity, personal development and intercultural understanding.
  
• Curriculum Model: The student is the center of the IBMYP Curriculum Model.  Students in this age group are in a crucial period of personal, social and intellectual development. It is a period of questioning and uncertainty. The IBMYP is designed to guide students in their search.

Godwin Middle School became a fully authorized IB World school in 2002. The program was reauthorized in 2007 and is now part of a partnership between Gar-Field/Godwin/Beville. IBMYP is a five year program with students attending Gar-Field for grades 9 and 10. There are now over 2000 IB World Schools in over 125 countries.

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Who can apply? What are the necessary qualifications?

New IBMYP students must have earned scores of 400 or better on the 5th grade Reading and Math SOL tests.  All acceptances into IBMYP will be conditional on those scores being reviewed during the summer

The IBMYP at Godwin operates within the Prince William County Public Schools Specialty School Program and thus follows the school system's guidelines for applying to Specialty School Programs.  Students whose base school is Graham Park, Potomac, Rippon, or Saunders Middle School should apply to IBMYP at Godwin.  In addition, students who would normally attend Benton Middle School and would later attend either Forest Park or Hylton should submit IBMYP applications to Godwin. 

The programme is for all students who are interested and have the ability to be successful in a rigorous academic program. Student motivation and conscientious work habits are keys to success. The IBMYP is designed for hard-working students who are strong in all subject areas. The IBMYP is also appropriate for gifted students whose work ethic is such that the performance demands of the IBMYP can be met.  It is recommended that students considering the IBMYP have at least B's in all classes and have no grades lower than Satisfactory in Effort and Conduct. The rigors of the IBMYP will require a greater commitment to study and homework than the standard program. Parents and students alike must be committed to the high expectations of the program including the Community Service Requirement. The program is interest based, but has rigorous standards. Students who cannot achieve satisfactory grades will not be readmitted the following year. 

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Academic requirements

While developmentally appropriate for students ages 11 to 16, the rigor of the IBMYP courses and the workload are such that the programme is not for everybody.  We will carefully monitor each student's progress.  If a student struggles during the school year, counselors and teachers will work with the student and parents to develop a plan aimed at improving the student’s grades.  Our goal is for each IBMYP student to be successful with the MYP.   However, if is not the case, we believe that a successful middle school experience is more important than participation in a Specialty Program.  Students who do not achieve a final grade of C in every subject will not be readmitted to the IBMYP the following year.  Because of the holistic approach of the IBMYP it is not possible for students to participate only partially in the program. Because of the rigorous nature of the IBMYP normally new students will not be enrolled in the IBMYP after September 30th.  

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IBMYP Applications

IBMYP applications will be available at all Information Meetings.  Applications can be picked up at Godwin Middle School from 8:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M or printed from the links below.  The Transportation Information Form is included in each application; however, only students who will transfer to Godwin Middle School to attend the IB Middle Years Programme will need to submit this form.  Transferring students also need to submit a PWC Transfer Form which is not available online at this web site. PWC Transfer forms are available at your current PWC school as well as Godwin Middle School.  

                              6th Grade Application             7th Grade Application             8th Grade Application   



       
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Typical IBMYP course sequence

o       6th Grade
IBMYP Math (Extended Math 6 or Extended Math 7)
IBMYP Science
IBMYP Language Arts (one period of Extended Language Arts)
IBMYP Foreign Language - Spanish IA or French IA
IBMYP Social Studies (US History - Post Civil War)
Music
Health and Physical Education
IBMYP Arts Rotation (Fine/Graphic Arts, Computer Applications, Career and Technical Education, Family and Computer Sciences)

o        7th Grade
IBMYP Math (Extended Math 7 or Algebra I)
IBMYP Science (Life Science)
IBMYP Language Arts  (1 period of Extended Language Arts)
IBMYP Foreign Language (Spanish IB or French IB)
IBMYP Social Studies (Civics)
Music
Health and Physical Education
IBMYP Arts Rotation (as described in Grade 6) 
 

o       8th Grade
IBMYP Math (Geometry, Algebra I, IBMYP Pre-Algebra)
IBMYP Science (Physical Science)
IBMYP Language Arts (1 period of Extended Language Arts)
IBMYP Foreign Language (Spanish II or French II)
IBMYP World History
Music or  IBMYP Arts
Health and Physical Education

o       9th Grade
IBMYP Geometry or IBMYP Algebra II, IBMYP Algebra II/Trig, IBMYP Algebra l
IBMYP Biology
IBMYP English 9
IBMYP Foreign Language
IBMYP World History
IBMYP Health and Physical Education I
IBMYP Music or IBMYP Arts l

o        10th Grade
IBMYP Algebra II/Algebra II-Trig or IBMYP Algebra ll, AP Statistics
IBMYP Chemistry
IBMYP English 10
IBMYP Foreign Language or IB Foreighn Language
PIB/AP Government and Politics
IBMYP Health and Physical Education II
Elective

Personal Project is an independent work chosen by the student which is not part of any scheduled class and is completed with the help of a supervising teacher during the 10th grade. Examples include original music or dance compositions, essays, original works of art or literature or scientific experimentation.

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Five themes, Areas of Interaction, link all subjects and provide a connection to the real world:

• Approaches to Learning: study skills, time management, information management and organization – learning how one learns
• Health and Social Education: skills for becoming a positive member of society as well as learning habits for a healthy lifestyle
• Environment: man's relationship with and responsibility for nature and his surroundings
• Homo Faber: the creativeness of the human mind and its impact on mankind
• Community and Service: learning about one’s community, becoming involved in the community through service, and reflection on the impact and quality of that service.  
• Community Service Requirements:
• Grades 6,7 & 8 - 30 hours
• Grades 9 & 10 - 40 hours

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The IB Middle Years Programme Curriculum Model:

 

               1. Language A  - language of instruction (English)
               2. Language B - a modern foreign language learned at school
               3.  Humanities -  history and geography
               4. Sciences - general science, biology, chemistry, physics
               5. Mathematics - core course including topics in arithmetic, algebra,
                 geometry, trigonometry, probability and statistics
               6. Arts -  art/design, music, drama
               7. Physical Education -  health and hygiene, individual and team sports
               8. Technology - the nature, processes and impact of technology

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