Have you ever thought about how English, Science, and Physical health and education are all connected? In the International Baccalaureate (IB) MYP, we don't just learn subjects in isolation. We explore big ideas by connecting different subjects. This is called interdisciplinary learning.
Instead of just memorizing facts, we learn by:
- Asking big questions: We start with questions like "How do our food choices impact our health?" and explore many different answers.
- Working together: We learn from each other by sharing ideas, working in groups, and discussing different perspectives.
- Building our own understanding: We actively explore topics, conduct research, and create projects to build our own knowledge. For example, if we're learning about nutrition, we might study the science of how our bodies digest food in science class, analyze how media portrays food and body image in language arts class, and even create a healthy recipe book in our home economics class.
Why is this important?
- It helps us understand the world better: By connecting different subjects, we see how everything is interconnected. We understand that healthy eating is not just about science; it's also influenced by culture, society, and our own emotions.
- It makes learning more engaging: Exploring big ideas through different subjects is more interesting than just reading from a textbook.
- It helps us develop important skills: We learn to think critically, communicate effectively, and work collaboratively – skills that are essential for success in the 21st century.
The IB MYP is designed to help students become well-rounded individuals who can think critically, solve problems, and make a positive impact on the world. Interdisciplinary learning is a key part of this approach.
In simple terms: Imagine learning about nutrition. Instead of just learning about vitamins and minerals in science class, we might also discuss how our culture influences our food choices in language arts class, and learn how to prepare healthy meals in our physical education class. This is interdisciplinary learning in action!
I hope this explanation helps you understand the importance of interdisciplinary learning in the IB program.
Here's an example of an Interdisciplinary Unit [IDU]-
Grade: 7- MYP 2
Unit Title: Nourishing Minds and Bodies: Exploring Nutrition, Health, and Well-being
Global Context: Identities and Relationships (Focus on how individuals, societies, and cultures are shaped by, and shape, beliefs, values, and traditions)
Key Concept: Identity (Focus on how individuals, societies, and cultures are shaped by, and shape, beliefs, values, and traditions)
Related Concepts:
Science: Change, Energy, Environment, Function, Interaction, Systems
Change in body composition due to nutrition.
Energy provided by food for bodily functions.
Environment and its impact on food production and availability.
Function of nutrients in the body.
Interaction of nutrients with the body's systems.
Systems of the human body involved in digestion and metabolism.
Physical and Health Education (PHE): Balance, Energy, Environment, Function, Interaction, Movement
Balance of nutrients in a healthy diet.
Energy expenditure during physical activity.
Environment and its impact on physical activity and healthy eating choices.
Function of physical activity in maintaining health.
Interaction between nutrition and physical activity.
Movement and its role in maintaining a healthy body.
English: Culture, Identity, Perspective, Purpose, Self-expression
Culture and its influence on food choices and body image perceptions.
Identity shaped by body image and food choices.
Perspective on food and body image in different cultures and media.
Purpose of media messages related to food and body image.
Self-expression through food choices and body image.
Statement of Inquiry- Individual and collective identities are shaped and reflected in diverse ways through the interplay of personal choices, cultural values, and scientific understandings.
Inquiry Questions:
How do the scientific principles of nutrition and the human body system interact to influence individual health and well-being?
How do cultural values, media representations, and personal experiences shape our individual perspectives on food, body image, and health?
How can individuals and communities work together to create environments that support healthy eating habits and positive body image within diverse cultural contexts?
Summative Assessment:
Create a multimedia presentation or a digital portfolio that explores how individual and societal factors, including scientific knowledge, cultural influences, and media representations, shape an individual's relationship with food and their body image. The presentation/portfolio should demonstrate an understanding of key concepts from Science, PHE, and English, and effectively communicate how these factors contribute to individual and collective identities.
Learning Experiences:
Science Experiments: Conduct simple experiments related to food chemistry and nutrition, such as testing for the presence of starch or sugar.
PHE Activities: Participate in physical activities and discuss the relationship between nutrition and physical performance.
Media Analysis: Analyze media messages (advertisements, social media posts, magazine articles) that portray food and body image, considering their cultural implications and their impact on individual perspectives and identities.
Creative Writing Workshop: Participate in a creative writing workshop focusing on developing characters and narratives that explore themes of food, body image, and self-esteem, considering how these factors shape individual and collective identities.
Differentiation:
Offer students a choice of research topics related to nutrition science.
Provide different levels of support and challenge based on individual student needs.
Encourage students to explore their own interests and passions within the unit, connecting scientific knowledge to their personal experiences and cultural contexts.
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