ISRM - International School RheinMain

Curriculum Overview

Currently from 2022 to 2023, ISRM offers the Middle Years Program from MYP 1 to 4 (Grades 6 – 9). ISRM will continue to grow and develop as follows:

Middle Years Program

MYP 1 – 3 (Grade 6 – 8) – September 2021

MYP 4 (Grade 9) – September 2022

Diploma Program

DP 1 (Grade 11) – September 2024

DP 2 (Grade 12) – September 2025

MYP 1- 3 (Grade 6 - 8)

 In terms of MYP 4 and 5.

In MYP years 4 and 5, students have the option to take a specified Arts course and also choose between Standard or Advanced Maths. All subjects will see an increase of time in order to prepare for the eAssessment in MYP 5.

MYP 4 – 5 (Grades 9 – 10)

Subject Overviews 

Language and Literature (English)

Language and Literature at the ISRM will encourage students to immerse themselves in a range of texts and genres. Students will hone their skills in analysing, producing text, organising ideas, and using language in both written and verbal contexts. Across the MYP, Language and Literature lessons will involve a variety of activities designed to inspire students to think creatively, understand different perspectives, communicate their ideas effectively, and make connections to the world around them. Students will visit the library every two weeks. It is important that they read widely and often; your support in promoting reading as a valuable tool for lifelong learning will be greatly appreciated!

Language Acquisition (German, Spanish or French)

Learning a language is opening your mind to a new world and allowing yourself to grow as a human being and to create greater connections with other people around the globe. We will be guiding your children in a communicative and interactive approach of learning languages, where they will communicate in the target language and experience culture, traditions, folklore and gastronomy to name but a few… In our lessons the four communicative skills will play a fundamental role and your children will be able to improve their speaking, writing, listening and reading throughout a variety of activities and projects.

Mathematics

Mathematics in the Middle Years Programme (MYP) of the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum is taught with a focus on the concepts: Form, Relationships and Logic.

Students are assessed on their progress against the four objectives for MYP mathematics:

• Knowing and understanding
• Investigating patterns
• Communicating
• Applying mathematics in real life contexts 

Sciences

The subject is made up of all three main sciences (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) with some additional aspects of geology and space science added when needed.  Naturally this will be a balanced mix, with the trend continuing through to MYP 4 and MYP 5 where we will be aiming our studies to allow participation in the Assessments held by the IBO at the end of MYP 5.

We expect a good mix of thinking, doing and evaluating as a vehicle to move forward with a good understanding of the natural world and naturally as a spring board into the world of the holistic nature of the IBO studies. 

Individuals & Societies

MYP Individuals & Societies combines the disciplines traditionally studied under humanities and the social sciences, with an aim to encourage students to respect and understand the world around them. An inquiry-based subject, the course encourages students to critically examine historical, geographical, socio-political, economic, and cultural factors that influence individuals, societies and the environment.

Examples of topics explored in MYP Individuals & Societies include:

• Demographics and human movements
• Significant individuals
• Trade, aid and exchange
• Ecological relationships

Integrated Arts

In Integrated Arts students will develop their skills and understanding through creative processes and understanding the contexts that surround the creation of art and developing their perspectives on the world. The provision is made up of Music, Drama and Visual Art, taught by subject specialists. The children will be taught in 6 week blocks, on a rotating schedule.

We have four key concepts in the Arts upon which our curriculum is built.

• Identity
• Aesthetics
• Change
• Communication

Design 

Design is the link between innovation and creativity, taking thoughts and exploring the possibilities and constraints associated with products or systems, allowing them to redefine and manage the generation of further thought through prototyping, experimentation and adaptation. It is human-centred and focuses on the needs, wants and limitations of the end user. 

Physical and Health Education

Physical and health education focuses on the development of knowledge, skills and attitudes that will contribute to a balanced and healthy lifestyle. Through practical active learning, students have the opportunity to build positive relationships and a sense of social responsibility. PHE will include developing skills from various individual and team orientated sport disciplines while exploring different key concepts within sports and health, for example change, communication and relationships. 

Social and Emotional Learning 

Social and emotional learning (SEL) is the process through which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. 

CASEL (Collaborative for academic, social, and emotional learning). 

These skills are implanted through five competencies:

Self –awareness/Self – management/Social - awareness/Relationship skills/Responsible decision making.

e-Assessment 

In MYP 4 + 5, students will work towards the MYP Certificate. 

In the final year of the programme (MYP 5), each MYP student must develop a personal project independently, which is externally validated by the IB. Producing a truly personal and creative piece of work over an extended period stands as a summative review of their ability to conduct independent work.

At the same time, ISRM will offer external assessment (eAssessment). It offers students the chance to earn the formal, internationally recognised certificate of the MYP Certificate and the Mittlere SchulReife qualification if they meet the success criteria.

Once a school registers for eAssessment in the MYP, students can participate in any of these two types of examinations:

• ePortfoliosof coursework, including a compulsory ePortfolio for the personal project.
• On-screen examinations, with each exam lasting two hours.

The MYP enjoys formal recognition as a competitive national middle level qualification in countries all around the world. 

Service As Action 

Service as Action (SA) is an opportunity for MYP students to learn by doing, and engage in their local communities to enact change and make a difference. MYP students are able to build authentic connections between what they learn in the classroom and what they encounter in the community. Students explore the community in its complexity as they gain personal insight and become more confident and responsible. Through service as action they become “actors” in the “real world”.

The SA learning outcomes identify the substance of students’ self-reflection on service as action. All of the learning outcomes are closely associated with the IB learner profile attributes and ATL skills. Through their participation in service, students can become more confident, self-regulated learners. There are seven SA learning outcomes:

1. Become more aware of their own strengths and areas for growth
2. Undertake challenges that develop new skills
3. Discuss, evaluate and plan student-initiated activities
4. Persevere in action
5. Work collaboratively with others
6. Develop international-mindedness through global engagement, multilingualism and intercultural understanding
7. Consider the ethical implications of their actions. 

Diploma Program 

After MYP 5, students have the option to start the Diploma Program. In DP1 + DP2, students will work towards completing the IB Diploma and preparing for higher-level education.

Several studies commissioned by the IB have concluded that, compared to their peers, IB students tend to go to university at higher rates, go to more selective universities, and perform better once there. For example:

• Former DP students in the United States (US) are significantly more likely to attend a ‘selective’ or ‘highly selective’ institution compared to the average US college-goer.
• In the UK, students are more than twice as likely to attend a top 20 university than the average A level student.
• Minority and low income IB students from Chicago Public Schools were shown to go on to university at significantly higher rates than a matched control group of their non-IB peers of similar academic ability.
• Feedback collected from a wide range of IB graduates suggests that IB students have an easier time adjusting to university studies.  

Information on DP Recognition - https://www.ibo.org/university-admission/recognition-of-the-ib-diploma-by-countries-and-universities/ib-diploma-compared-with-other-national-exams/ 

IB Education Video Explainer -https://vimeo.com/92725628
MYP Video Explainer -https://vimeo.com/148628581
MYP Factsheet for parents -https://www.ibo.org/globalassets/digital-toolkit/brochures/1503-myp-factsheet-for-parents.pdf
MYP Information for parents - https://www.ibo.org/information-for-parents/myp-for-parents/ 

What is ISRM?
The International School RheinMain is an alternative school program that offers students a route through the world-renowned International Baccalaureate.

What is the mission of ISRM?
The International School RheinMain aims to guide young people on their unique journey of understanding what it means to be a human being in the 21st century. We aspire to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and considerate scholars, who endeavour to progress and innovate our world for the better of all. By striving to cultivate a central identity of a global citizen, the greatest aspects of modern humanity are reciprocated in all avenues of school life and beyond.

What is the Middle Years Program?
The Middle Years Program (MYP) is a course of study designed to meet the educational requirements of students aged between 11 and 16 years (Grades 6-10). The Program model of the MYP places the learner at its centre. This underscores the IB’s belief in educating the whole person, and placing importance on student inquiry and readying students for the opportunities and challenges of the 21^st century.

How is the MYP structured at ISRM?
The MYP curriculum framework comprises eight subject groups, providing a broad and balanced education for early adolescents. Students take the core courses of language and literature, individuals and societies, mathematics, sciences, physical and health education, language acquisition, arts, and design. A unique feature of the programme is that it extends the traditional curriculum to include immersion in four themes— approaches to teaching and approaches to learning, global contexts and concepts – helping students to develop innovative skills, techniques and deeper understanding. In MYP 5, students also complete a personal project, which is an independent piece of work that may be an essay, an artistic production or another form of expression.

What are the advantages of an IB education?
IB World Schools (the only schools authorized to offer IB programmes) are subject to a strict accreditation process monitored by the IB, ensuring that schools provide a high-quality education. IB teaching methods and curriculums are research-based and draw from the best educational practices from systems around the world. IB teachers are required to participate in many professional development opportunities to continually promote their awareness of current educational practices and new thinking. IB programmes are recognized internationally and ease the educational transition of mobile students so that their education is not adversely affected if their families relocate.

Is the MYP academically rigorous?
The MYP is academically rigorous. It challenges the students academically and develops their ability to think outside of the box, preparing them for the competitive Diploma Program, global university placement and for the ever-changing futre.

The MYP framework connects classroom pedagogical practices and content to the wider world through the Global Contexts and the Learner Profile. The individual subject areas are integrated so that students gain knowledge, understanding, and skills that are transferable across the academic spectrum, further challenging them to become independent, inquiring learners.

What are the benefits of the MYP?
Personal Project - In MYP 4 + 5, students will work towards the MYP Certificate. In the final year of the programme (MYP 5), each MYP student must develop a personal project independently, which is externally validated by the IB. Producing a truly personal and creative piece of work over an extended period stands as a summative review of their ability to conduct independent work.

eAssessment - At the same time, ISRM will offer external assessment (eAssessment). It offers students the chance to earn the formal, internationally recognised certificate of the MYP Certificate and the Mittlere SchulReife qualification if they meet the success criteria. Students demonstrate their understanding and skills through classroom performance, onscreen final examinations and a personal project conducted over an extended period of time.

Service As Action - Throughout their journey, students will also experience Service as Action (SA). Service as Action is an opportunity for MYP students to learn by doing, and engage in their local communities to enact change and make a difference. MYP students are able to build authentic connections between what they learn in the classroom and what they encounter in the community. Students explore the community in its complexity as they gain personal insight and become more confident and responsible.

Social and Emotional Learning - Social and emotional learning (SEL) is the process through which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. Students receive SEL lessons once per week.

Have studies been done on the impact of the MYP?
The IB places great value on external validation of its programmes, curriculums and professional development. A recent study found that Middle Years Programme students in a US public school district were more likely to achieve a proficient or advanced performance level on state mathematics and science assessments than their counterparts in five comparison schools. Additional studies on programme impact, quality assurance, programme development and assessment research are available at www.ibo.org/research.

All teachers who teach in MYP classrooms are required to participate in collaborative planning and reflection to make their teaching practices consistent and to foster a holistic approach to education. A growing body of evidence suggests a positive relationship between teacher collaboration and student achievement.

How can I learn more about the IB and MYP?
Visit the IB website at ibo.org
Visit the school website – is-rm.com
Speak with the school’s MYP coordinator – dominic.rogers@es-rm.net
Attend school meetings and events