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International Baccalaureate (IB)

Middle Years Programme Update

We have made great strides on our path to becoming a school authorized to offer the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (IB MYP).  Following are some of our accomplishments from the 2011-2012 school year.

Curriculum Maps
All 6th-10th grade teachers have created curriculum maps of their classes.  Each map includes multiple units of study that outline the unit question, concepts, skills, activities, and state standards of each one.  These maps are in the initial stages of development.  They are considered "work in progress" and we will revisit them every year.

A sample curriculum map

MYP Unit Plans
Every teacher has documented and taught an MYP unit plan.  These plans are designed based on the information in the curriculum map.  They require teachers to indicate the learning objectives, assessment activities, 21st century skills, and teaching strategies included in the unit.

Here are some examples of unit questions and activities:

Class Unit Question Activities
English How can I make a difference? Bowls of Hope fundraiser
Social Studies Are we free? Class discussion/debate, blogs
Math How do we deal with negativity? Real life problem-solving (money, altitude, etc.)
Science What on earth are you collecting? Labs, Rock and Mineral Show
Technology What is energy? Creating a solar cooker and cooking hotdogs in it
Art How does art challenge you? Ceramics:  coil pots, animal and human sculptural forms, pottery on the wheel, slab boxes
World Language What is my role in my family? Listening, writing, speaking, and reading activities; class discussions, presentations
PE Why are you going to get off the couch? Frisbee, badminton, bowling, 4-square, pilates

The unit question is meant to be open-ended and pique students' interest.  Throughout the course of the unit, students are encouraged to consider the question from different angles and construct their own response to it.

Activities should also be open-ended and allow students to respond to the unit question in their own unique way.

A sample MYP unit plan

Course Outlines
 An MYP course outline is similar to a syllabus, in that it is distributed at the beginning of the school year and provides information for students and parents about curriculum and class expectations.

A sample course outline

99% of Teachers Trained
 In January, an in-school training workshop was held in the Distance Learning Lab at WRHS.  Fifty people attended, including teachers, administrators, counselors, and social workers.  In the morning session, the trainer provided an overview of the MYP; in the afternoon, teachers worked together in their subject area on subject-specific items.  Half of the fee for the workshop was covered by grant money we received through the Idaho Association of IB Schools.  This was a cost-effective way to provide training for the remaining members of ours staff.

 IB Learner Profile
 The IB Learner Profile is an integral part of the Middle Years Programme.  It is a translation of the IB's mission statement into 10 learning outcomes for the 21st century:
  • Inquirers
  • Knowledgeable
  • Thinkers
  • Communicators
  • Principled
  • Open-Minded
  • Caring
  • Risk-takers
  • Balanced
  • Reflective

Wood River Middle School Principal, Mr. Fritz Peters, began the school year by presenting seven staff pins at the first all-staff meeting of the year.  He recognized seven faculty members for demonstrating the traits of the IB Learning Profile.  At the following meeting, those staff members passed their pins onto other individuals who demonstrated similar qualities.  This has continued throughout the school year.

At Wood River High School's Awards Assembly, students were honored for their academic accomplishments and contributions to the community.  Teachers worked together in departments to nominate students based on attributes of the Learner Profile.  One student was then selected from the "Top Ten" for the award.

 Coming up...
During the 2012-2013 school year, we will continue to implement the Middle Years Programme.  We will refine our curriculum maps, create and teach more MYP units, and distribute course outlines at Open House.  We will continue to integrate the Learner Profile into our curriculum and nominate Learners of the Month based on the ten traits.

I will continue to provide updates on the school website and through PTSA meetings and presentations.  In the meantime, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at jwalther@blaineschools.org or visit http://www.ibo.org .  Also, you can view FAQs and answers about the IB MYP here.  You may also want to view the most recent PTA Presentation.

Thank you!

 Jane Walther
IB MYP Coordinator

Hello!  Buenos dias!  Bonjour!

Spanish Version

My name is Jane Walther and I am pleased to introduce myself as the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP) Coordinator.  I moved to Ketchum in 1995 and recently moved back to the Wood River Valley after 12 years in Boise.  I am delighted to be back and working as part of the Wood River Middle and High School teams!

While in Boise, I earned my teaching credential in Secondary French and K-12 ESL.  I taught both subjects at an IB school for 11 years.  During that time, I also earned my master's and doctoral degrees, both in Curriculum and Instruction.  I have enjoyed using my experience and credentials as IB MYP Coordinator at Wood River Middle School and High School.

The MYP is an innovative educational programme for students in Grades 6-10 that encourages project-based learning, 21st century skills, and critical thinking.  As an international program, the MYP is known all over the world for rigorous curriculum and fostering a positive attitude toward learning.  As displayed in the graphic below, the MYP includes eight subject areas:

  • Language A (First Language)
  • Language B (Second Language)
  • Humanities
  • Technology
  • Mathematics
  • Science
  • The Arts
  • Physical Education

At the center of the diagram, the Learner Profile is the core of the MYP.  The programme embraces a student-centered approach to teaching and learning, with the aim of developing students who are Inquirers, Knowledgeable, Thinkers, Communicators, Principled, Open-minded, Caring, Risk-takers, Balanced, and Reflective. 

Take time to view our Learner Profile video below.


 Please Note:
Wood River High School is a candidate school* in partnership with Wood River Middle School for the Middle Years Programme.  This school is pursuing authorization as an IB World School.  These are schools that share a common philosophy - a commitment to high quality, challenging, international education that Wood River High School and Wood River Middle School partnership believes is important for our students.

*Only schools authorized by the IB Organization can offer any of its three academic programmes:  the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), or the Diploma Programme (and in addition the IB Career-Related Certificate).  Candidate status gives no guarantee that authorization will be granted.