Personalizing EducationWhat is the Personal Project?
Part of the MYP's focus is to make learning relevant to students' lives by contextualizing it so they can see the connection between what they learn in the classroom and their local, national, and global communities. To this end, students participate in projects where they can explore a topic or cause that they are passionate about and use their content knowledge learned in school, as well as the skills they develop, understand this connection. Through the projects, students apply use the design cycle to learn how to manage a project independently and monitor their growth, as well as creatively solve challenging obstacles. They specifically focus on applying the Approaches to Learning skills they have learned in their classes in a new and unfamiliar context. These include:
The Personal Project takes place the at the end of students' freshman year through their sophomore year. Students receive support and guidance during their ELT sessions, but they are expected to be working on their project outside of school as well. Over the course of this time they work on creating a goal, researching their process, creating a product or outcome, and reflecting on their process. In the end they write a report which encapsulates all these parts; this report is then graded by staff and moderated by IBO. In March, students show their work to the larger community at the Personal Project exhibition. How are all students included in the Personal Project? All students in Royal Oak Schools, as students in the Middle Years Programme, participate in a capstone project of their MYP experience called the Personal Project. This project enables students to explore a topic of interest and take part in authentic learning, using the skills and knowledge they have acquired in sixth through tenth grade. Our goal is that all students will engage in this meaningful process. As such, our focus is more on the process and reflection, rather than the MYP mark they earn at the duration of the project. Please note, the completion of a personal project is not a district requirement for graduation; it is an additional 0.5 credit. The credits for graduation under the Michigan Merit Curriculum have not changed. Students receive an A if they complete the project and submit a report in one of the formats approved by IB and noted below. If students do not complete these elements, they will earn an E. However, they can recover this credit working with our Personal Project coordinator. In an effort to support all students in completing the Personal Project, a number of resources have already been designed to help all learners, including, but not limited to:
Where can I learn more about the Personal Project? For more information about the Personal Project, please check out the Personal Project website. Additionally, please see the Personal Project Informational Night Presentation for an overview of the project and its benefits, as well as resources for how parents can support their child during the project.
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Royal Oak Schools | Projects |