Developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and intercultural communication skills are key to the IB experience. Morse Middle School is an IB-authorized provider of the Middle Years Programme (MYP).
Per the International Baccalaureate, Morse Middle School teachers are required to be trained in the IB curriculum. They carefully integrate state academic standards within the IB framework to prepare students for success in college, career, and citizenship, which is the heart of the Milwaukee Public Schools mission.
Common Core State Standards
The curriculum in Milwaukee Public Schools is based on Common Core State Standards. These standards were developed with teachers, school administrators, and experts to prepare all children for college and the workforce.
Ambitious Instruction Plan
The Milwaukee Public Schools Ambitious Instruction Plan recognizes and celebrates that our students come from many cultures and backgrounds. This plan focuses on high-quality, culturally appropriate teaching and learning. Our goal is to ensure that every student develops reading, writing, and math skills in ways that are meaningful to their individual life and experiences. Our staff works together to understand each learner, find appropriate ways to assess and improve their progress, and make sure that students can apply what they have learned in productive ways in school and in their community.
IB MYP Curricular Framework
Our IB MYP curriculum spans eight subject groups. Students receive at least 50 hours of teaching time in every subject group, every year. Eighth graders also complete the MYP Community Project, a longer-term opportunity to collaborate and pursue service learning through inquiry, action, and reflection.
Arts
According to IB: Students develop through creating, performing and presenting arts in ways that engage and convey feelings, experiences and ideas.
Visual Arts at Morse:
Students will share and experience the aesthetics of the arts, how artwork and artistic practices change over time, how art is a form of communication, and how to identify various art forms. Through this exploration, students will develop a portfolio to reflect on and assess their own artwork and the artwork of their peers—learning about IB Key Concepts as they do. Together we create a community of student improvement in the arts.
Design
According to IB: Students apply practical and creative thinking skills to solve design problems, explore the role of design in both historical and contemporary contexts, and consider their responsibilities when making design decisions and acting on them.
Individuals and Societies
According to IB: Individuals and societies incorporates disciplines traditionally studied in the humanities, as well as disciplines in the social sciences.
Individuals and Societies at Morse: As they explore world history from the beginnings of the universe through the Roman Empire, students strengthen analytical and critical thinking abilities and improve their writing and inquiry skills. They examine the development and decline of cultures by asking how settlements began and learning about the geographic, economic, and other conditions societies need to thrive. In a learning environment characterized by respect, responsibility, and open-mindedness, students carefully consider and discuss topics and issues that are exciting, challenging, and personally relevant. The study of individuals and societies helps students appreciate the diversity of human culture, attitudes, and beliefs.
Language Acquisition
According to IB: Studying a new language provides students with the opportunity to develop insights into the features, processes and craft of language and the concept of culture. Students realize that there are diverse ways of living, viewing and behaving in the world.
Language Acquisition at Morse: Students embrace the IB principle of “international mindedness,” while developing a sensitivity to the Spanish language. Students learn foundational grammatical, syntactical, and lexical features of the Spanish language.
Language and Literature
According to IB: Language is central to the development of critical thinking. Critical thinking cultivates intercultural understanding and responsible membership in local, national and global communities.
Language and Literature at Morse: Students read and explore a variety of literary genres and elements, learning, persevering, and applying their knowledge in complex assignments. Assignments involve research, public speaking, and vocabulary acquisition. Students use grammar and vocabulary skills to inform their writing in English and have the desire and discipline to apply organizational skills and time management techniques to their work.
Mathematics
According to IB: MYP mathematics promotes both inquiry and application, helping students to develop problem-solving techniques that transcend discipline and that are useful in the world beyond school. The MYP mathematics framework encompasses number, algebra, geometry and trigonometry, statistics and probability.
Mathematics at Morse: Students develop problem-solving skills and an appreciation for the cultural and historical aspects of mathematics, including algebra, trigonometry, calculus, and probability.
Physical and Health Education
According to IB: Physical and health education empowers students to understand and appreciate the value of being physically active and to develop the motivation for making healthy life choices.
Sciences
According to IB: The MYP sciences framework encourages students to investigate issues through research, observation, and experimentation, working independently and collaboratively.
Sciences at Morse: Students explore earth, life, and physical sciences concepts. They build basic computer proficiency skills so they can conduct scientific experiments and develop explanations based on evidence. To satisfy the IB MYP 50-hour technology requirement, this course is taught during a 70-minute extended period every day for the entire year.
Special Education
Morse Middle School teachers can adapt the flexible and inclusive MYP framework to meet a student’s unique needs and maximize their talents and abilities. Our special education teachers, regular education teachers, school social worker, school psychologist, and administration work together to support a student’s full participation in all IB classes and projects. Per IB, all special education students have access to the content, curriculum, and delivery of the IB program.
If you think your child has special education needs, ask your child’s teacher or principal for an evaluation. For frequent questions about special education or specialized services, please call (414) 874-8493, or learn more about Specialized Services.