Primary age children learn through their investigative and creative powers, flourishing as geographers, historians, scientists, readers, writers and mathematicians when curiosity drives their learning.
Our highly qualified and experienced educators leverage this curiosity through thoughtfully designed authentic learning experiences.
Children thrive in our contemporary and spacious classrooms, engaging outdoor learning spaces, and the beautiful nature reserve on our doorstep.
Partnering with local organisations allows ISP to expand its impact on learning and learners. ISP is partnering with Maker Institute Prague to support our efforts in innovation, design, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). In addition to coming in as expert speakers to targeted classes, we are cosponsoring three day-long Saturday workshops. The first […]
ES Peace Day and MS / US Stretch Days Curiosity and compassion are key dispositions nurtured through varied exposure to learning engagements in order to become part of who we are. These dispositions, coupled with students’ competencies (set of skills) and deep conceptual understanding, empower learners to contribute positively to the world as a changemaker. […]
We were honored to host Petr Sis, world renown author, illustrator, animator, graphic artist and storyteller, who exemplified our ISP Mission to Inspire, Engage and Empower all learners for two full days on 8 and 9 September 2022. Mr. Sis, originally from the Czech Republic, and now based in New York, was our first Distinguished […]
The launch of any academic year involves many transitions in a school community as students join new grade levels, make new friends, and get to know new teachers. Such transitions are even more significant in an international setting. This year with 210 new students, 13 new faculty, three new coaches, four new administrators, and a […]
Curious, Competent, Compassionate Changemakers Our mission focuses on all students being compassionate, competent, curious changemakers. As changemakers, we take action to contribute responsibly to a more peaceful and sustainable world for all. We want to ensure that our students develop the skills, understandings, and commitment to become positive changemakers. This year, the Grade 5 team […]
Reuse, Refuse, Recycle, Repair, Reduce and Rot Sustainability in today’s world is one of the most important concepts we can teach. As part of our Science and Sustainability Curriculum Learning Team, grade levels from across all sections of the school have been planning units of inquiry centered around the UN Sustainable Development Learning Goals, creating […]
Elementary classes at ISP are rooted in inquiry and nurture learners’ curiosity. Students develop key knowledge, skills and understandings in Literacy, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies in their homeroom classes. Students also develop their competencies in the areas of Music, Physical Education, Visual Arts, Design and Language Acquisition with specialists outside of their homeroom class. Students also work with specialists in the areas of ICT, Library and Outdoor Learning.
APPROACHES TO LEARNING SKILLS
The IB Approaches to Learning skills (ATL) are grounded in the belief that learning how to
learn is fundamental to a student’s life inside and outside of a school context.
All of the IB programmes support learners in developing: Thinking skills, Communication skills, Research skills, Self-management skills, Social skills.
The Approaches to Learning and associated sub-skills support students of all ages in being agentic and self-regulated learners. Through a variety of strategies, PYP teachers collaboratively plan for implicit and explicit opportunities to develop ATL skills, both inside and outside the programme of inquiry.
Elementary classes at ISP are rooted in inquiry and nurture learners’ curiosity. Students develop key knowledge, skills and understandings in Literacy, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies in their homeroom classes. Students also develop their competencies in the areas of Music, Physical Education, Visual Arts, Design and Language Acquisition with specialists outside of their homeroom class. Students also work with specialists in the areas of ICT, Library and Outdoor Learning.
A sample daily schedule could be as follows:
* Learning blocks will focus on Language Arts OR Mathematics OR Unit of Inquiry OR a Specialist Class (Music, PE, Art, Languages, Library)
A conceptual inquiry approach is a powerful vehicle for learning that values concepts and promotes meaning and understanding. It challenges students to engage critically and creatively with significant ideas beyond the surface level of knowing. PYP teachers use powerful, broad and abstract concepts as a lens to organize learning within units of inquiry and subject-specific learning. (International Baccalaureate Organization)
The PYP programme of inquiry is organized and framed by six transdisciplinary themes (Who we are, Where we are in place and time, How we express ourselves, How the world works, How we organise ourselves, Sharing planet). These transdisciplinary themes together provide children with authentic learning experiences that are not confined to the boundaries of traditional subjects.
Although subjects play an important role in learning, PYP learners explore real-world problems by going beyond subject boundaries. Students have opportunities to reflect on the significance of their learning to take meaningful action in their community and the wider world. (International Baccalaureate Organization)
The ISP mathematics programme aims to develop mathematical thinking in order to empower learners to make sense of and to interact responsibly with their world. The heart of Mathematics at ISP involves conducting mathematical inquiry to develop concepts and procedures to become a proficient mathematician.
The ISP Mathematics Programme aims to:
Learners engage with relevant investigations developing critical, creative, logical, and computational thinking. Learners also further their fluency of a variety of operations, tools, and strategies.
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Language learning includes the development of home and family languages, languages of the school, additional languages and literacy. Schools provide students with multiple, authentic opportunities to learn language, learn about language and learn through language.
In the Elementary School at ISP, students can choose to learn Czech, French, German or Spanish as additional languages. Learners develop their proficiency in listening, speaking, reading and writing in the selected target language during their four sessions of 40 minutes in a six day cycle.
In addition to the PYP framework, we use the Common European Framework of Reference for languages (CEFR) for our language acquisition continuum.
The ISP English Language Arts & Literacy Programme aims to develop literacy through a balanced student-centered approach, which focuses on understanding, engagement and enjoyment.
In the ISP English Language Arts & Literacy program students will:
Writing and Reading Units:
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Language is involved in all learning that goes on in a school, in both the affective and effective domains. Learners listen, talk, read and write their way to negotiating new meanings and understanding new concepts. In the “knowledge” area of the PYP, language is the most significant connecting element across the school’s curriculum, both within and outside its transdisciplinary programme of inquiry.
Oral language—listening and speaking
Learners develop an understanding of the value of speaking and listening to communicate.
Visual language—viewing and presenting
Learners are introduced to the fundamental skills of viewing and presenting.
Written language—reading
Learners engage in various literacy activities that foster a love for reading and cultivate strong foundational skills through a balanced and comprehensive approach.
Written language—writing
Learners write as a way of expressing themselves. It is a personal act that grows and develops with the individual.
In the PYP, Personal, Social and Physical Education (PSPE) is concerned with the individual’s well-being through the promotion and development of concepts, knowledge, attitudes and skills that contribute to one’s well-being.
Well-being is intrinsically linked to all aspects of a student’s experience at school and beyond. It encompasses physical, emotional, cognitive, spiritual, and social health and development. Wellbeing means understanding self, developing and maintaining relationships with others, and participating in an active, healthy lifestyle.
The development of overall well-being is defined through three common strands that have relevance to all teachers: identity, active living and interactions. These strands are concept-driven and have been designed to interact with each other, working together to support the overall development of students.
Music enables students to communicate in ways that go beyond their oral language abilities. Music delights and stimulates, soothes and comforts us; music allows students to communicate in a unique way. Students are given opportunities to discover a broad range of music experiences.
Students are taught, assessed, and learning growth is reported in three categories of music, creating, listening, and performing music.
In the PYP, students are exposed to a broad range of experiences that illustrate the field of visual arts. Students should have the opportunity to experience visual arts beyond their own initial involvement. This is achieved by inviting artists into the school, or by visiting art galleries, museums, artists’ and designers’ studios, exhibitions, films sets and/or theatres.
Students are taught, assessed, and learning growth is reported in two categories of arts, creating and responding.
Given ISP has students arriving from around the world with varied educational and life experiences, we have several departments to support learners as needed.
The purpose of our English as an Additional Language (EAL) department is to build the social and academic English skills necessary for EAL students to become active and successful members of the ISP community. Students who are still developing language proficiency study English as an Additional Language (EAL).
In grades 1 through 5, an EAL specialist collaborates with the mainstream teachers to support English language development for all (ELL) English Language Learners. EAL students are “immersed” in the regular classroom to the greatest degree possible with English language support outside of the classroom as needed.
ISP believes that information and digital literacy plays an essential role in inspiring learners to lead healthy, fulfilling and purposeful lives, while contributing responsibly to our changing world. Effectively leveraging digital tools creates opportunities for our learners to engage in authentic and challenging tasks with peers and experts around the globe. Tech Coach helps learners develop creative, computational and critical thinking skills to maximize powerful digital tools, platforms and resources.
We believe that all students should have equal access to learning opportunities. To meet the diverse learning needs of our students, ISP provides a Learning Support programme as part of its instructional continuum of Support services.
The counseling program in the Elementary School aims to support the social-emotional development of all learners. Overseen by the ES Counselor, the Student Study Teams (SST) holds Focus of Concern (FOC) meetings as needed and organizes, observations, testing, parent/team conferences, classroom interventions, resource room time, and / or referral to outside consultants.
An expert in literacy development, our ES literacy coach supports and collaborates with our teachers to ensure all students advance well in their reading and writing skills. This full time position ensures a coherent program and quality professional learning throughout the year. In cooperation with our librarians, the literacy coach ensures quality book collections in classrooms, the ES bookroom, and in our libraries.
Our ES librarians nurture a love for readingthrough read-alouds, class visits to the library,
visiting authors and illustrators as well as always helping each child find books they love to read.
Our Outdoor Learning Educator facilitates learning outdoors so that learners are:
“My favorite memory at ISP was in 1st grade when I had my own caterpillar and I watched it turn into a butterfly. We learned about the whole process in the transformation.”
“My twelve years at ISP have taught me everything I know and I could wish for. I couldn’t have asked for anything more than an education that empowers me to feel so confident going into the real world.”
“Not only are students engaged in profound learning, but they are making a positive contribution to the world around them. In Grade 4, one of our units of inquiry is centered around the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. As compassionate changemakers, the students write persuasive essays as speeches to collect donations for a chosen organization.”
“I have two kids at the ISP; one is more artistic the other is more scientific. The way the ISP educates allows them to learn through their interests. If they are inquiring about forest wildlife, for instance, one will spend time observing and drawing, and the other will experiment with the different materials. Both will have meaningful learning in a way that will keep them curious and engaged.”
