International School of Modena – MYP 4&5 Curriculum overview – Grade 10&11
Identities and relationships
Students will explore identity;
beliefs and values; personal,
physical, mental, social and
spiritual
health;
human
relationships including families,
friends, communities and cultures;
what it means to be human.
Romeo & Juliet
English Language and Literature
Statement of Inquiry: Genre impacts
on how the relationship between central
characters is communicated to an
audience.
Orientation in space and
time
Personal and cultural
expression
Scientific and Technical
innovation
Students will explore personal
histories; homes and journeys;
turning points in humankind;
discoveries; explorations and
migrations of humankind; the
relationships between, and the
interconnectedness of, individuals
and civilizations, from personal,
local and global perspectives.
Students will explore the ways in
which we discover and express
ideas, feelings, nature, culture,
beliefs and values; the ways in
which we reflect on, extend and
enjoy
our
creativity;
our
appreciation of the aesthetic.
Students will explore the natural
world and its laws; the interaction
between people and the natural
world; how humans use their
understanding
of
scientific
principles; the impact of scientific
and technological advances on
communities and environments;
the impact of environments on
human activity; how humans
adapt environments to their
needs.
Revolution
(Interdisciplinary with Individuals &
Societies, Language & Literature,
Expressive Arts)
Statement of Inquiry: Revolution
brings both positive and negative
change.
Inquiry questions:
 (F) What dramatic techniques does
Shakespeare use to convey the key
characters and themes of the play?
What cinematic techniques does Baz
Luhrmann use to convey the key
characters and themes of “Romeo &
Juliet”?
 (C) How true does Luhrmann stay to
the original Shakespeare text? Which
genre has more of an impact on a
modern audience? Which genre is
more effective in communicating the
love story between the central
characters?
 (D) Is Shakespeare still accessible to
a modern audience? Old or
new…which is better?
Inquiry questions:
 (F) Why did the Feb 1917 revolution
succeed in Russia yet the 1905 one
failed? What inspired George Orwell to
write Animal Farm? Are the characters
and events in Animal Farm similar to
their real life counterparts? How did
Stalin win the struggle for power?
What is Stalinism? How was Stalin’s
Russia viewed differently from within
and without?
 (C) What causes revolution? How
powerful is media as a revolutionary
tool?
 (D) Does revolution solve problems or
create them?
Key concepts: Communication
Key concepts: Change (Perspective)
Related concepts: Audience
Imperatives, Genres, Context.
Related concepts: Context,
Intertextuality, Point of View.
Thematic Poetry
Statement of Inquiry: Poetry is a
powerful tool in conveying theme in a
creative way.
Globalization and
sustainability
Students
will
explore
the
interconnectedness of humanmade systems and communities;
the relationship between local and
global processes; how local
experiences mediate the global;
the opportunities and tensions
provided
by
worldinterconnectedness; the impact of
decision-making on humankind
and the environment.
Fairness and development
Students will explore rights and
responsibilities; the relationship
between communities; sharing
finite resources with other people
and with other living things;
access to equal opportunities;
peace and conflict resolution.
Leadership & Conflict
Statement of Inquiry: Conflict often
exists as a result of how we are led.
Inquiry questions:
 (F) What does poetry allow writers to
address & reflect on within the world
around them? What are some of the
most commonly portrayed themes in
poetry? What are the effects of
specific literary devices and how can
they be used to enhance meaning?
 (C) How can poetry be a vehicle for
reflection?
Inquiry questions:
 (F) What is conflict and what
different types of conflict exist? What
is leadership and what are some of
the different styles of leadership that
exist?
 (C) In what ways can conflict arise
from different leadership styles /
setting? How can the environment
impact on the style of leadership?
 (D) What makes a good leader?
Which character from the novel Lord
of the Flies would make the best
leader on the island?
 (D) Is poetry more effective than
prose in conveying theme?
Key concepts: Connections
Key concepts: Creativity
Related concepts: Character, Setting,
Poetry is the most creative way of
developing a theme.
Related concepts: Theme, Style,
Genres.
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International School of Modena – MYP 4&5 Curriculum overview – Grade 10&11
Le inquietudini dell’anima
Statement of Inquiry: Novels can help
us to express how we change over
time.
Italian Language and Literature
Inquiry questions:

(F) What are the main features of
the genre?

(C) How people can reflect on
how they are changing by writing
about it.

(D) How does writing help me to
reflect and understand myself?
La frontiera invisibile
Statement of Inquiry: reading
different forms of pieces of writing help
us to develop an awareness of the
world around us.
Inquiry questions:

(F) what is a ideological border?
Is it something physical or
mental?
What is the difference between
novels, romans and parabolas?
Are they effective?

(C) How can literature help me to
understand the world around
me?

(D) to what extent understanding
of literary text can lead us to a
better lo interact with the world?
I paesaggi dell’anima
Statement of Inquiry: through poetry
we can effectively express our feelings
in a creative way.
Inquiry questions:

(F) What are the main features of
the genre?

(C) How can nature be
represented in poetry? How can
poetry be the mirror of the soul/
can allow reflection?

(D)To what extent is poetry more
effective than prose in
communicating feelings?
Key concepts: Creativity, form
Related concepts: Theme, Style,
Genres.
La fortuna l’amore e l’ingegno nella
letteratura
Statement of Inquiry: Humans adapt
to the environment according to their
needs
Inquiry questions:

(F) Does the contexts influence
the purpose of literary genre? What’s
the difference between poem and a
short story? What shapes our
perspective of a person or a situation?

(C) How can literature (theatre,
poems and short stories) help us to
reflect on the reality and better
understand the impact of
environments on human activity?

(D) To what extent the social and
political environment affect our
choices?
Key concepts: change
Are we influences by media and
technology?
Statement of Inquiry: Media are a
powerful source of social learning that
shapes attitudes, social and consumer
behaviors, and people's worldviews

French Language Acquisition
2


(F)What is the media??Do you
feel represented in the media
(i.e., race, sex, age, talents,
strengths, weaknesses,
background, ethnicity)? Are there
certain issues or groups of
people represented more often
than others in the media? Do you
think the media stereotypes
certain people? Who? How?
(C) How do the media make you
feel?
(D) To what extent media have
an impact on our behaviour? (for
example media violence)
Key concepts: communication
Related concepts:
Convection, audience, idiom, function,
Message
What is the francophonie ?
Statement of Inquiry: Researching on
a country we gain information that
change our perspective on that country.
How can reading and keeping
informed help me to understand
diversity
Statement of Inquiry: it’s our
responsibility that animals ‘rights are
resected.
Inquiry questions:




(F) How many countries speak
French in Africa? Why do hey
speak French?
(C) How can I change my
perspective on the Francophonie
and on French culture?How do
local surroundings affect how we
are, how we work and play?
(D) To what extend have i
changed my opinion on Africa’s
communalities?


(F) What are the animal’s
rights? How animals are
represented in literature?
(C) How can I keep informed on
animal’s rights and on eventual
violations of that? How can I
intervene?
(D) To what extend my decisions
have an impact on the animal’s
right?
Key concepts: community,
perspective
Key concepts: community, perspective
Related concepts: message, but,
structure
Related concepts: message, but,
structure
International School of Modena – MYP 4&5 Curriculum overview – Grade 10&11
Identities
Italian Language Acquisition
Statement of Inquiry: Written
language can explore and express
events that shape life and the culture
around it.
Inquiry questions:

(F) What is a biography?

(C) How can a written text
explore and express events in
life?

(D)To what extent can a
biography be complete?
Italian Culture
Statement of Inquiry: Culture can be
expressed through creativity in the Arts
Global issues
Italy
Statement of Inquiry: Our life can be
changed by reflecting on Global issues
that connect people around the world
Statement of Inquiry: Living in a place
means becoming aware of its different
issues and how they are communicated
Inquiry questions:

(F) What are the Arts? What is
culture?

(C) How can culture be
expressed through the Arts?

(D) To what extent can culture
be express through creativity in
the Arts?
Inquiry questions:

(F) What is a global issue? What
global issue do you know?

(C)How can I change my life by
reflecting on global issues?

(D) To what extent global issues
affect our life?
Key concepts: Creativity
Key concepts: Connection
Inquiry questions:

(F) What are the main issues of
the country where we are
currently living?

(C) How are these issues
communicated?

(D) Can we be an active part in
raising awareness of issues
concerning the place where we
live? How?
Related concepts: Purpose, Message,
Meaning
Related concepts: Empathy, Point of
view, Context
Key concepts: Culture
Related concepts: Context, Structure
Key concepts: Communication
Related concepts: Meaning, Function,
Message
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International School of Modena – MYP 4&5 Curriculum overview – Grade 10&11
Electromagnetic Waves
Statement of Inquiry:
The relationship between
electromagnetic waves and their
various fields of application in our lives
have caused them to acquire separate
identity despite their common nature.
Statement of Inquiry:
Our understanding of the basic
principles of motion have enabled
computer scientists to recreate realistic
systems in virtual environments, such
as simulators or computer games.
Inquiry questions:
·
What are the properties and
behaviours of waves?
·
Besides function, what other
factors dictate the way we classify
nature?
·
Does indirect observation provide
as strong factual evidence as direct
observation?
Inquiry questions:
·
How does an object move under
the influence of gravity?
·
How can computer simulations
enhance our understanding of the
natural world?
·
How have virtual environments
changed the concept of identity in
modern society?
Key concepts:
Relationships
Key concepts:
Systems
Related concepts:
Energy, Function
----------------------------------------------------
Related concepts:
Environment, Movement, Models
----------------------------------------------
Electricity & Neuroscience
Statement of Inquiry:
The transfer of charged particles within
a system is responsible for both the
functioning of artificial circuits and the
animal nervous system.
Inquiry questions:
·
How and why do charged
particles move throught, away from and
to parts of a system?
·
What's the relationship between
science and science fiction?
·
Is it ethical to attempt to create
artificial brains and intelligences?
Key concepts:
Systems
Sciences
Physics of Computer Games
Related concepts:
Interaction, Consequences
Adaptation & Anatomy
Statement of Inquiry:
Natural and artificial Tools are
developed in relation to their specific
practical function.
Inquiry questions:
·
How are tools developed?
·
What factors or constraints
dictate the development of a tool?
·
Is developing a weaponisable
tool inherently ethically wrong?
Key concepts:
Relationships
Related concepts:
Form, Function
Life in Space
Statement of Inquiry:
Modern technologies have allowed
mankind to create artificial systems
capable of sustaining life in space and
on other planets/moons.
Inquiry questions:
·
What are the basic requirements
for the body to survive?
·
How is the knowledge of
extreme environments acquired and
developed?
·
Would the current budget
dedicated to space explorations be
better spent in dealing with
environmental issues?
Key concepts:
Systems
Related concepts: Environment,
Balance
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International School of Modena – MYP 4&5 Curriculum overview – Grade 10&11
Can individuals change History?
The Reformation
Weather systems
Statement of Inquiry: Significant
Individuals and their ideas can impact
local, national and global communities.
Statement of Inquiry: Societies can
adopt, adapt or resist significant ideas.
Statement of Inquiry: The natural
systems and processes impact on
human life.
Inquiry questions:

(F) What actions did the chosen
individual take? What was the
historical context? What other
factors may have contributed to
the change?

(C)Are other factors necessary
for change?

(D) Can one person change the
course of history?
Inquiry questions:
(F) What was the role of the Catholic
church pre-reformation? Why did Martin
Luther introduce Protestantism? Why
did the Reformation spread? Which
countries embrace and which resisted
Protestantism and for what reasons?
(C) ’What factors and forces cause
change? Would the reformation have
happened without Martin Luther? Was
Martin Luther a ‘Great Man, or ‘a man
of his times? How can religion cause
conflict?
(D) Did the Reformation trigger the age
of modernity?
Inquiry questions:

(F) What causes weather
features? What affects
temperature? What are the
different types of rainfall? What
causes depression, anticyclones
and cyclones? What are
weather hazards?

(C) How do humans interact with
weather? What makes a
population more vulnerable to
weather hazards?

(D) Should humans try to
influence the weather?
Key concepts: Change
Related concepts: Causality. Ideology.
Significance.
Climate Change
Statement of Inquiry: Humans activity
can cause global consequences.
Inquiry questions:

(F) What is the difference
between weather and climate?
What causes greenhouse gases?
What are the arguments for and
against global warming as a
cause for concern?

(C) Why is the debate over the
existence/problem of climate
change so controversial? What
persuasive techniques are used
by the two sides?

(D) Is climate change happening?
Is climate change a threat?
Should we take action on climate
change?
Key concepts: Systems
Objectives: Investigating, Thinking
Critically.
Key concepts: Change
ATL Social
Related concepts: Conflict. Causality.
Significance.
Objectives: Knowing and
Understanding, Communicating,
Thinking critically.
ATL Research
Title Revolution
(Interdisciplinary with English and
Art)
Statement of Inquiry: Revolution
brings both positive and negative
change.
Inquiry questions:
(F) Why did the Feb 1917 revolution
succeed in Russia yet the 1905 one
failed? What inspired George Orwell to
write Animal Farm? Are the characters
and events in Animal Farm similar to
their real life counterparts? How did
Stalin win the struggle for power? What
is Stalinism? How was Stalin’s Russia
viewed differently from within and
without?
(C) What causes revolution? How
powerful is media as a revolutionary
tool?
(D) Does revolution solve problems or
create them?
Key concepts: Change, Perspective
Related concepts:
ocieties
Humanities Causality
Expressive Arts - Boundaries
English – Context, Intertextuality, Point
Key concepts: Global interactions
Related concepts: Causality.
Processes. Patterns and trends.
Objectives: Knowing and
understanding
Related concepts: Causality.
Sustainability. Patterns and trends.
Objectives: Communicating,
Investigating.
ATL Self Management
ATL Communication
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International School of Modena – MYP 4&5 Curriculum overview – Grade 10&11
The Renaissance
Title Revolution
Statement of Inquiry:
The class systems in Renaissance
Europe influenced or impacted on the
composition of the arts.
Inquiry questions:

How were Renaissance artists
innovative with their use of skills,
techniques and materials?(F)

To what extent did the identity of
the artist impact the artwork?(C)

Why is art made and what is it
for?(D)
(Interdisciplinary with English and
Humanities)
Key concepts: Identity
Related concepts: Composition,
Audience, Innovation
Statement of Inquiry: Revolution
brings both positive and negative
change.
Inquiry questions:
6
(F) Why did the Feb 1917 revolution
succeed in Russia yet the 1905 one
failed? What inspired George Orwell to
write Animal Farm? Are the characters
and events in Animal Farm similar to
their real life counterparts? How did
Stalin win the struggle for power? What
is Stalinism? How was Stalin’s Russia
viewed differently from within and
without?
(C) What causes revolution? How
powerful is media as a revolutionary
tool?
(D) Does revolution solve problems or
create them?
Key concepts: Change, Perspective
Arts
Related concepts: Boundaries
Physical and health education
Health
Statement of Inquiry: Our bodies are
healthy, when physical needs are met
Inquiry questions:
● (F) What is a healthy lifestyle;
● (C) How can small changes impact on
your health;
● (D) Does knowing physical
requirements make you know about
your own body’s level of health
Key Concept: Change
Related concepts: balance, choice
Leadership
Statement of Inquiry: The style in
which others are led determines the
outcome
Inquiry questions:
● (F) What is leadership;
● (C) How do leaders communicate to
followers;
● (D) To what extent do outcomes
define leaders
Key Concept: Communication
Related concepts: interaction,
perspective
Learning2dance
Statement of Inquiry: Communicating
what we know helps others’ learn
Inquiry questions:
● (F) What defines a style of dance;
● (C) What tools can be used to
communicate all aspects of a dance
style;
● (D) Is there a specific process that
allows dancers to learn
Key Concept: Communication
Related concepts: adaptation
Strategic thinking
Statement of Inquiry: “Finding good
players is easy. Getting them to play as
a team is another story.” Casey
Stengel
Inquiry questions:
● (F) What are the set plays;
● (C) How can people adapt their
thinking to suit the needs of the team,
● (D) What are the most efficient
strategies’ for building a team
Key Concept: Relationships
Related concepts: systems, function,
movement
International School of Modena – MYP 4&5 Curriculum overview – Grade 10&11
Expressions, Quadratic Equations,
Functions, and their Graphs
Statement of Inquiry: Discoveries of
relationships in patterns throughout
human history are obtained through
observations of change, simplifying
what has been seen, and through
modeling the various aspects of human
civilization.
Inquiry questions:

(F) Can I simplify, factor, expand,
and use the quadratic equation
to derive reasonable solutions to
quadratic situations?

(C) How does the Golden Ratio
relate to quadratics, art,
architecture, music, and
genetics?

(D) Is the Golden Ratio as
mysterious as it sounds?
Transformational Geometry
Statement of Inquiry: Changing form
can alter how we see and use space,
which can reveal secrets within the
heart of culture.
Inquiry questions:

(F) How can we recognize types
of transformations, describe
them, and create symmetric
designs with them?

(C) How can symmetry be used
to reveal culture?

(D) Will there ever be a limit to
the variety of patterns in our
world?
Key concepts: Form
Linear, Quadratic, and Inverse
Relationships
Statement of Inquiry: Modeling
relationships and change allows
humans to interact with the natural
world to justify patterns, and use that
information to adapt the ways in which
we live in it.
Inquiry questions:

(F) Can I recognize linear,
quadratic, and inverse
relationships based on the data
and use it to create graphs and
equations?

(C) What does it mean to have a
linear, quadratic, or inverse
relationship?

(D) Are there limits to the
reasonability of a graph?
Related concepts: Space,
measurement, pattern, change
Key concepts: Relationships
Related concepts: Change,
Generalization, Model, Pattern,
Quantity, Representation, Space,
Justification
Solving Equations and Inequalities
Statement of Inquiry: Creativity
allows us to simplify appearances so
that we can adapt to situations,
generalize and justify the necessity of
scientific and technical innovation.
Inquiry questions:

(F) Can I solve systems of
equations and inequalities
through algebra and graphical
representation?

(C) What does it mean to be a
solution?

(D) Is the real number system
real?
Key concepts: Logic
Related concepts: Justification,
Quantity, System, Generalization,
Simplification, Representation
Math
Statement of Inquiry: Growth and
decay rates of various quantities or
populations can influence decisions
relating to humankind, environmental
factors and sustainability.
Inquiry questions:

(F) How can I calculate positive
and negative exponents?

(C) How can exponents be
applied to represent growth and
decay?

(D) Is there a limit to how large or
small a number can become?
Key concepts: Relationships
Related concepts: Change, Pattern,
Quantity, Model, Representation
Key concepts: Relationships
Related concepts: Change,
equivalence, Generalization, Pattern,
Simplification, Systems,
Representation, Model, Measurement
Exponents, Exponential Variation,
and Radicals
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