IB MTS case studies
IB MTS · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The IB MTS (Middle Years Programme Teacher Certification) is a professional credential for educators who teach or lead within the IB Middle Years Programme, typically for students aged 11 to 16. It signals that a teacher understands how the MYP is structured and can plan, teach, and assess in line with IB philosophy rather than simply importing national-curriculum habits into an IB classroom. The IB MTS case studies are 6 cases and about 5,314 words.
1The continuum squeeze: DP pressure on an MYP year 5
Riverside Academy is a PYP and DP World School with 96 students in MYP years 1–5 and 14 MYP teachers, most of whom also teach DP. In September the DP coordinator circulated a memo proposing three changes to improve "continuum alignment": (1) from January, year 5 science and mathematics classes begin weekly 90-minute DP-style timed exam practice, replacing one criterion-based task per term; (2) the year 5 interdisciplinary unit is cancelled because "three weeks of content is lost"; (3) MYP reports add a predicted DP grade out of 7 so parents can "see where their child is heading".
909 words, about 5 min2Hands-on but not inquiry: a year 2 science unit
At a school in its third year of MYP, Mr Okafor teaches a six-week year 2 (grade 7) science unit called "Ecosystems". The statement of inquiry reads "Ecosystems are important" and the global context is listed as "orientation in space and time".
880 words, about 4 min3The cardboard city: an interdisciplinary unit in name only
Northgate's MYP year 3 team must run one interdisciplinary unit. This year's is "Sustainable Cities", taught in the last three weeks of the year.
847 words, about 4 min4Weighted percentages and a missing criterion
In the individuals and societies department of an MYP school, year 4 reports are calculated as homework 20%, quizzes 30%, final exam 50%, then converted to a 1–7 level using fixed cut-offs (90% = 7, 80% = 6, 70% = 5, and so on). Criterion C (thinking critically) has not been assessed this year.
879 words, about 4 min5Forty minutes a fortnight: collaboration, ATL and service under strain
At a school two years past MYP authorization, the coordinator is assembling evidence 14 months before programme evaluation. Findings: collaborative planning time has been cut from 80 to 40 minutes per fortnight.
919 words, about 5 min6The ATL checklist: a year 4 student who is falling through the gaps
At an MYP school, approaches to learning are reported each term using a five-skill checklist (communication, research, thinking, social, self-management) marked "emerging / developing / secure". Teachers complete it in the last week of term from memory.
880 words, about 4 min