MYP-DP-IB

Acronyms and codes used at school.

IB = International Baccalaureate (prescribed curriculum or framework for schools)
MYP=middle years program (junior high)
DP= Diploma program (senior high, grades 11 and 12 only)

3-Z = 12th grade
2-Z = 11th grade
1-Z = 10th grade
3-4 = 9th grade
2-4 = 8th grade
1-4 = 7th grade

Now we can speak the same school language. My six 3-Z students just completed their year and half long IB DP art course. It culminated with an exhibition of their artworks and an external assessment by an IB examiner. External assessment you say...? This means their artworks were evaluated by someone from outside the school. I only handle their internal assessments. So we set up the exhibit Wednesday. Thursday a minority of the students from the other grades viewed the exhibit and asked my 3-Z students questions about their artworks to help them prepare for their interviews the following day with Leanne, the IB examiner. Leanne arrived from Osaka where she teaches and after seeing the exhibit began individually interviewing the 3-Z students in 30 minute blocks of time. The students have the opportunity to explain the themes they worked with, artists and art styles investigated, and how the two came together in their final artworks. Everyone was nervous, despite their last minute cramming. At the end of the day the young artists were happy with how the interviews went. And quite pleased with the exhibit. We celebrated with small cakes and salty snacks. Then we tore the whole thing down in less than 30 minutes...it felt like an injustice to take it down so soon...