IB CurriculumJanine Means

History•IB=International Baccalaureate

•Founded in 1968 in Geneva, Switzerland

•Non-profit educational foundation

•3 programs for ages 3-19-Began with just the DP, but expanded in the 1990s

Primary Years Program (PYP)• Ages 3-12

• Development of whole child (inquirer)

• 6 subject areas:• Math• Language• Science• Social Science• Arts• Social, Personal, and

Physical Education

Primary Years Program (PYP)• Six Transdisciplinary

Themes▫ Who we are▫ Who we are in place and

time▫ How we express

ourselves▫ How the world works▫ How we organize

ourselves▫ Sharing the planet

Middle Years Program (MYP)• Students ages 13-16• Framework of academic challenges and life

skills• Embracing and transcending traditional subjects• Personal project at end of 5 years• Assessed against established criteria• Eight main subjects

▫ Two languages▫ Humanities▫ Science▫ Math▫ Arts▫ Technology▫ Physical Education

Diploma Program (DP)• Six curriculum groups

▫ Studies in language/literature

▫ Language acquisition▫ Individuals and Societies▫ Experimental Sciences▫ Mathematics and

Computer Sciences▫ The Arts

• Students ages 16-19• Two year curriculum• Final exams accepted as

college credit

So What?Positives of IB Curriculum Negatives of IB Curriculum

•Connection between disciplines

•Available in both public and private school settings

•Offers diverse world curriculum

•Ideal for traveling families

•Expensive

•Accepted by less colleges than AP

“A.P. is great for content-based traditional learning. It’s great for kids who like to memorize. But for more creative kids, who want to make those connections, there’s nothing like the I.B.” – Chris Mosca

As Wheaton teachers and grads…• IB is most prominent

overseas▫ Teachers in Europe, Asia,

etc.

• Connecting cultures through curriculum

• Expanded worldview▫ Providing a student with

more than just one country perspective

ReferencesInternational Baccalaureate Education. (2012). Retrieved November 14, 2012,

from http://www.ibo.org

 Lewin, T. (2010, July 2). International Program Catches on in US Schools

[Newsgroup post]. Retrieved from New York Times website:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/03/education/03baccalaureate.html?page

wanted=all

 

Matthews, J., & Hill, I. (2006). Supertest: How the International Baccalaureate

Can Strengthen Our Schools. Chicago, IL: Open Court Publication Company.