A Journey of Curiosity: Connecting Learning Through the Arts at ISP

Written by Ashley Eames, PYP Learning Coach

At the International School of Prague (ISP), curiosity is nurtured through the arts, which serve as a dynamic bridge connecting subjects and deepening student learning.The integration of Music and Visual Art with homeroom Units of Inquiry transforms students into explorers, problem-solvers, and expressive artists.

Each week, students step into the Music and Art classrooms, guided by specialised teachers who are educators and active musicians and artists in the Prague community. Here, they develop skills, experiment with techniques, and build upon their artistic knowledge year after year guided by a structured curriculum with clear learning outcomes. Most importantly, they cultivate a love for creative expression, using music and visual art as powerful tools to share their ideas and emotions.

Curiosity plays a key role in connecting learning across subjects. Take, for example, the Grade 3 Unit of Inquiry, 'How the World Works: Our Place in Space'. In their homeroom, students explore the vastness of space, asking big questions: How do astronauts travel beyond Earth? What makes up our universe? Their curiosity does not stop at the classroom door, it follows them into the Art and Music rooms, where they continue to investigate and create.

Bringing Space to Life Through Visual Art

In the Art room, students begin by immersing themselves in space - flipping through books, watching footage of a rocket launch, and sketching their observations. Inspired by their research, they design their own spacecraft, applying their understanding of shape and structure. As they add details like planets, stars, and cosmic textures, they consider the real-world challenges of space travel: How will astronauts launch into space? How will they return safely to Earth? Their designs take shape through sketching, refining, and eventually etching onto styrofoam to create prints, learning the art of printmaking along the way.

Composing the Sounds of Space

Meanwhile, in the Music room, the Grade 3 students continue their space exploration, but this time, through sound. Students are exposed and inspired by the seven-movement orchestral suite, 'The Planets' by Gustav Holst. Then, they spend time brainstorming what they already know about space, then choose an area that sparks their curiosity. Some dive into the mysteries of black holes, others imagine life on Mars, while some are fascinated by the blazing power of the sun. Working together, they compose original songs that bring their chosen topic to life, blending musical elements with scientific understanding to create something entirely new.

Curiosity as a Driving Force in Learning

At ISP, curiosity is one of the school’s core values - the 4C’s - and it plays a vital role in the arts. Whether through visual storytelling or musical composition, students use their curiosity to explore new ideas, solve problems, and make meaningful connections between subjects. The integration of the arts with homeroom learning ensures that students don’t just memorize facts - they experience and express their understanding in personal, creative ways.

Through this seamless blend of inquiry, creativity, and artistic expression, students at ISP are not just learning about space - they are living it, imagining it, and bringing it to life in ways that are uniquely their own.