About IB at LCMA
Lawton Chiles Middle Academy is one of only four Polk County Public Schools institutions to offer the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme.
IB challenges students to excel in their studies, and encourages both personal and academic achievement. The International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme provides students with opportunities to become active learners, with an international mindset and the ability to empathize with others, while also developing their intellect and life skills.
Students take part in eight different required courses, making connections and transferring knowledge from one subject to another.
Students at Middle Years Programme schools work to develop their own potential, explore learning preferences, take appropriate risks, and reflect often as they formulate a strong sense of personal identity.
Developing Students in the Middle Years Programme
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The MYP aims to develop students who are:
- Active learners
- Internationally minded
- Able to empathize with others
- Ready to pursue lives of purpose and meaning, using the intellect and skills they develop in the program
As part of the IB continuum, the MYP is designed to help students develop the characteristics of the IB learner profile.
IB LEARNER PROFILE
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It offers students opportunities to:
- Develop their potential
- Explore their learning preferences
- Take appropriate risks
- Reflect on, and develop, a strong sense of personal identity
At a time when students are establishing their identity and building their self-esteem, the MYP motivates students and helps them to achieve success in school - and in life beyond the classroom.
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Students in Action - 3 Ways
Service Tied to Learning
Each subject area offers multiple service activities throughout the year tied to the curriculum
8th Grade Community Project
All 8th graders design and complete a Community Project
Throughout the years at LCMA, we've all worked together to increase each student's learning and achieve personal growth. The culmination of those efforts is the 8th Grade Community Project.
This project:
- is completed individually or in groups.
- includes meeting with a faculty advisor during
the school day.
- is evaluated using MYP assessment criteria.
- is shared with the community at the annual
Community Project Fair
- is required for students who want to participate in the end-of-year activities
The aims of the project are to enable students to:
- participate in self-directed inquiry
- use investigation to generate new insights and develop deeper understandings
- demonstrate the skills, attitudes and knowledge required to complete a project over an extended period of time
- communicate effectively in various situations
- appreciate the process of learning and take pride in their accomplishments
External Community Service (Grades 6 & 7)
In order to prepare for the Community Project, 6th and 7th graders are required to identify an area of interest and independently serve others in their communities for minimal numbers of hours: 6th grade - 2 hours, 7th grade - 4 hours.
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The procedure for completing these independent service hours is as follows:
- A proposal form completed and signed by the student and parent for the activity
- Documentation for hours (log sheet) completed
- A written reflection completed
- All 3 of these items turned into 1st period teachers by the beginning of April
Students completing these requirements will be eligible to attend the end of year field trips and celebration.
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The minimum hours of service that are required for students at each grade level:
- Year 1 (Grade 6) - 2 hrs
- Year 2 (Grade 7) - 4 hrs
- Year 3 (Grade 8) - Community Project
Students must complete their Community Project by the deadlines provided or complete their community service hours by the beginning of April in order to be eligible to attend the end-of-year field trip and celebrations.
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LCMA Portfolio Review
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Let's celebrate your middle schooler's learning!
Participate in portfolio review sessions each semester with your child:
See YOUR child leading a discussion of what they've learned and what causes them to struggle.
Listen to them share ideas for increasing their learning.
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Be impressed as they show you work samples and MYP achievement results and share their reflections on their work.
Take 20 minutes to let your child lead through his or her learning experiences here at LCMA.
You'll be amazed at what you learn!
Your encouragement and support will make all the difference!
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MYP Rubrics