Mr Zocchi

MYP Mathematics & Science · NIS
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👋 Welcome, Parents & Guardians

Understanding Your Child's
Maths & Science Classes

Everything you need to know about how assessment works in the IB Middle Years Programme, how to support your child at home, and how to get in touch.

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How Assessment Works in MYP

The IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) uses criterion-referenced assessment. This means your child is assessed against a fixed set of criteria — not compared to other students. Every student can achieve the highest level if they demonstrate the required skills.

Mathematics Criteria

A
Knowing and Understanding
Can you recall and apply mathematical knowledge?
B
Investigating Patterns
Can you explore, find patterns, and describe rules?
C
Communicating
Can you show your working clearly using correct notation?
D
Applying Maths in Real Life
Can you use maths to solve real-world problems?

Science Criteria

A
Knowing and Understanding
Can you explain scientific concepts and use vocabulary?
B
Inquiring and Designing
Can you design a fair experiment with a hypothesis?
C
Processing and Evaluating
Can you collect data, create graphs, and evaluate results?
D
Reflecting on Science
Can you explain how science connects to the real world?
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Key point for parents: Your child will not receive a single overall grade for "Maths" or "Science." Instead, they receive a separate score (1–8) for each of the four criteria. This gives a much more detailed picture of their strengths and areas for growth.
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Understanding the 1–8 Scale

Each criterion is scored from 1 (lowest) to 8 (highest). Here's what each band means in practice:

1–2
Limited
The student shows minimal understanding. Needs significant support and more practice with the basics.
3–4
Developing
The student understands some concepts but struggles with complex tasks. On the right track — more practice needed.
5–6
Proficient
A solid, confident performance. The student understands and applies concepts well in most situations.
7–8
Excellent
Outstanding work. The student demonstrates deep understanding, applies knowledge creatively, and communicates with precision.
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What should my child aim for? A score of 5–6 is a strong, successful performance. A 7–8 represents truly exceptional work. Scores of 3–4 are common while learning new content — they indicate growth is happening. Focus on progress over time, not a single score.
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MYP grades are not percentages. A score of 6/8 does not mean 75%. The MYP scale measures the quality of understanding and skills demonstrated, not the number of correct answers. A student scoring 6 is showing strong, proficient work.
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How You Can Support at Home

You don't need to be a maths or science expert. The most powerful things you can do are simple:

1
Ask "What are you learning?" — not "What grade did you get?"

This shifts the focus from performance to understanding. Ask your child to explain a concept to you — teaching someone else is the best way to learn.

2
Encourage short, regular revision over last-minute cramming

10 minutes a day is more effective than 2 hours the night before. Use the worksheets and revision booklets on this site.

3
Celebrate effort and improvement, not just results

Moving from a 3 to a 5 is a bigger achievement than staying at 7. Recognise the work that goes into growth.

4
Make it okay to be confused

Learning happens in the struggle. If your child says "I don't get it," that's normal — it means they're thinking. Encourage them to try, ask questions, and use the resources here.

5
For English as Additional Language (EAL) learners

It's okay to discuss concepts in your home language first. Understanding the idea is more important than the English words. The vocabulary will follow with practice.

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What's Available on This Site

Your child can access all of these resources by clicking their grade on the homepage:

📊 PowerPoints

Topic-by-topic lesson slides covering every concept in the current unit.

📝 Topic Worksheets

Fillable PDF worksheets for each topic — students type answers directly on screen.

📖 Revision Booklets

Study guides with key terms, worked examples, and information boxes.

🎬 TED-Ed Videos

Curated educational videos with built-in quiz questions.

🎮 Review Games

Interactive quiz games to test knowledge in a fun, low-pressure way.

🤖 AI Instant Feedback

Students upload a completed worksheet and receive automatic feedback on every answer.

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Contact Mr Zocchi

I welcome communication from parents. Please don't hesitate to reach out:

Email coreyzocchi@nanjing-school.com
Best for Questions about progress, assessment, concerns, or scheduling a meeting
Response time Within 48 hours during the school week
ManageBac Unit outlines, assessment dates, and grades are posted on ManageBac — please check there first for day-to-day updates
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Three-way conferences are scheduled each semester through the school. These are the best opportunity for an in-depth conversation about your child's progress. If you have urgent concerns before then, please email me directly.