Looking through the lensesof the

IB Middle Years Program

Areas of Interaction

Central High School/Pipkin Middle School

Professional Learning

Feb. 1, 2013

The Five Areas of Interaction

Approaches to Learning

Community and ServiceEnvironment

Human Ingenuity

Health and social education

So why are they important?

The AOIs provide the interdisciplinary approach of the MYP, so that students will learn to see knowledge as an interrelated, coherent whole.

The five areas of interaction: Are embedded in each subject and developed naturally through them

Provide both an organization and an extension of learning within and across the subjects, through the exploration of real-life issues

Inspire special activities and interdisciplinary projects Form part of the framework for student inquiry and take investigative learning further than subject boundaries Are a vehicle for refining conceptual understanding through different perspectives Guide reflection and lead from knowledge to thoughtful action. 

Student participation in the areas of interaction culminates in the Personal Project.

Let’s look at each one a little closer…

First up,

Approaches to Learning

Often referred to as ATL

Can be summarized as “learning how to learn”

How do I learn best? How do I know? How do I communicate my understanding?

developing in individuals an awareness of how they learn best, of thought processes

and of learning strategies

Through Approaches to Learning, students are provided with the tools to enable them to take responsibility for their own learning.

ATL is likely to be the one Area of Interaction

that is part of every MYP Unit Plan

Why?Because these are examples of Approaches to Learning:

--Organizational skills ( such as note taking) and attitudes towards work--Collaborative skills--Communication--Information literacy--Reflection--Problem-solving and thinking skills--Subject-specific and interdisciplinary conceptual understanding

ATL is likely to be the one Area of Interaction

that is part of every MYP Unit Plan

Why?Because these are examples of Approaches to Learning:

--Organizational skills ( such as note taking) and attitudes towards work--Collaborative skills--Communication--Information literacy--Reflection--Problem-solving and thinking skills--Subject-specific and interdisciplinary conceptual understanding

Sure looks like

21st Century

Skills to me!

Approaches to Learning recognizes that true learning is more than

the acquisition of knowledge: it involves its thoughtful application,

as well as critical thinking and problem solving,

both individually and collaboratively.

Approaches to Learning recognizes that true learning is more than

the acquisition of knowledge: it involves its thoughtful application,

as well as critical thinking and problem solving,

both individually and collaboratively.

Aw, so that’s why you won’t give me a multiple choice

worksheet everyday!

An example of how ATL was applied in a Humanities (Individuals & Societies) class

A Year 3 or 4 History Class learning about the Middle Ages

Which secondary sources will provide appropriate evidence?

How will I present my findings visually and in my oral presentation?

How will I structure my argument?

Health and social education, human ingenuity:

To what extent does this period deserve the name “Dark Ages”?

On to…

Community and Service

How do we live in relation to others? How can I contribute to the community? How can I help others?

Community and service starts in the classroom and extends beyond it, requiring students to take an active part in the communities

in which they live.

The mission statement of the IBO stresses that its concern extends beyond intellectual achievement: students should develop a personal value system through which to

guide their own lives as thoughtful members of local communities and the larger

world.

Examples of CAS

Tutoring (special needs, new or second lang. students)

Managing school sports teams

Contributing to student committees and organizations Supporting and developing links between the school

and international organizations (Convoy of Hope)

Volunteer work in the community

Supporting and developing links with local groups such as orphanages and senior citizens’ centers

Truest indicator of successful integration is that no grades need to be awarded for community and service

Did you get it?

As part of our Self-Study report, we need to generate a list of ways that community and

service is applied in our classrooms and how it is being addressed school-wide. In your

group, please share ideas and turn in your list to Lisa Lilley.

Time for…

Human Ingenuity

Human IngenuityWhy and how do we create?What are the consequences?

Human Ingenuity stresses the way humans can initiate change, whether for good or bad, and examines the consequences

Human Ingenuity emphasizes both the importance of researching the developments made by people

across space, time and cultures, and the importance of taking time to reflect on these developments.

In this way, human ingenuity goes beyond the act of creation alone, leading students to examine, experience

and reflect on the creative process.

Year 1 Interdisciplinary Project Example (Math / Art)

In math, students study geometry including the concepts of symmetry, isometries (rotation,

translations, reflection), enlargement and limits.

In visual arts classes, they use this knowledge to investigate thework of Escher and his self-posedmathematical problems and how he resolved them through the medium of print-making.

Students make their own “Escher print” and identify the transformation geometries used.geometries used.

Sciences Topic: Discoveries

History of optics: the discovery and application of simple lenses up to the present day and how their limitations led to the use of other innovations.

The accidental discovery and development of X-rays leading to field applications in medicine within 20 years.

The invention and development of the rocket engine.

The development of enzyme-based low temperature washing powder.

Do you have it?

With another teacher discuss how you could apply the lens of human ingenuity into a unit that you do in your classroom

EnvironmentWhere do we live? What resources do we have or need? What are my responsibilities?

Environment

--The importance of the local and global environment

--The concepts of sustainable development in a context of increasing environmental threats and

related political & socio-economic problems

--Coping with the immediate surroundings and various environments within it, that require attention

and involve decision making.

Example from Humanities/Sciences: Hitler’s and Napoleon’s invasions of Russia How does the environment play a role in framing conflict?

Study climate of a Russian winter to appreciate that engaging in conflict was often about more than engaging an enemy.

Researched & discussed examples of how the environment has been seriously affected by modern weapons technology (the Gulf War, two world wars)

and possible effects of new weapons technology.

Got it?

With another teacher discuss how you could apply the lens of environment into

a unit that you do in your classroom

Health and Social EducationHow do I think and act?

How am I changing? How can I look after myself and others?

Deals with physical, social and emotional health and intelligence

Students become better informed about health issues as they consider life options and help develop in them a sense of responsibility for their own well-being and for their physical and social environment.

Interdisciplinary approach:NutritionPhysical Education: Students assess their fitness level and relate energy intake (diet) to energy output. The link between diet, exercise and health is reinforced.

Language B: Students are working on foods and regional cuisines. Students design and prepare a menu that

meets general nutritional requirements studied in sciences.

Mathematics: During a fractions and graphing unit, students compile data on how they use their time during the week. This generates discussion on time management and balance of leisure and exercise with a healthy lifestyle, as well as reinforcing ATL.

Example from Language A:

Students reflect on and discuss the emotional impact of language. They discuss personal and group experiences of labelling and bullying. Using movie and television extracts, passages from literature and magazines, they discuss how language can hurt or heal.

Did you understand?

With another teacher discuss how you could apply the lens of Health and Social Education into a unit that you do in your

classroom

Final Thoughts:

Don't try to integrate all areas of interaction into all activities.

Avoid contrived links which students would soon find artificial.

Common planning time will allow for the integration of the areas of interaction to take advantage of ways

to reinforce cross-curricular concepts and skills.

Do you get it?

Show That You Know: Explain what is meant by Approaches to Learning

to the person sitting closest to you