Special Areas

Our special area classes at IHM are an integral component of the IHM educational experience. IHM students are afforded opportunities to participate and engage in experiences and activities in accordance with our Archdiocese of Baltimore curriculum.

All students attend specials in PreK – 8th grade once a week.

Our specials are:

STEAM, Music, Art, Physical Education, Spanish, Library, and Technology Integration.

STEAM Learning Lab (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics)

Grades Preschool-3:  Introduce concepts of science, such as: sink/float, building, balance, magnetism, gears, and reactions. Increase their science vocabulary and communication skills. Increase their ability to recognize and create patterns. Utilize coding caterpillars, Bee-bots, LEGO unit, Magnatiles unit, moldable dough, loose parts, and more. 

Grades 4-5:  Introduce concepts of paper folding techniques, coding, physics, chain reactions, kinetics, and chemical reactions. Utilize one-to-one Chromebooks work on TinkerCad and coding. Build on the learning in the previous section and introduce the use of Ozobots, Marty Robots, and Strawbees. Use loose parts to build boats, roller coasters, and more.

Grades 6-8:  Introduce concepts of paper folding techniques, coding, physics, kinetics, and reactions. Utilize one-to-one Chromebooks to code to the 3D printers and TinkerCad. Utilize Ozobots, Marty Robots, Strawbees, LEGOs, moldable dough, and more. Use loose parts to build boats, catapults, and flying objects.

The integration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics into a cohesive, interdisciplinary applied learning approach is such a powerful concept, which has been hailed as critical to the future – for children, diversity, the workforce and the economy, among others. 

Early exposure to STEAM helps children develop skills in creativity, collaboration and individual exploration, perseverance, resilience, and teaches critical problem-solving skills. There are many opportunities for trial and error which helps increase our students’ resilience. 

STEM education remains one of the biggest priorities at all levels of the educational system. The STEAM Learning Lab at IHM was established in 2023 and remains one of our school principal’s top priorities. 

Music Program

Grades PK-1:  Introduce concepts of music, rhythms, singing, movement, and creative expression through a variety of instruments and mediums

Grades 2-4:  Utilize one-to-one Chromebooks to develop musical skills, and also learn to play music on flutophones, hand bells, drums and percussion; as well as cultural and holiday singing, educational games and activities, dance/choreography, composers, instruments of the orchestra, and introduction to treble clef note reading

Grades 5-8:  Utilize one-to-one Chromebooks to enhance musical skills such as treble/bass clef note reading and rhythm skills; as well as drumming, singing, hand bells, piano keyboard, song writing, creative projects, dance/choreography, musical genres, music history, and composer appreciation

Grades 1-4 participate in our annual Christmas Pageant – an event you don’t want to miss!

Physical Education

Grades PK-1:  Coming soon…

Grades 2-4:

Grades 5-8: 

Library

Grades PK-1:

Grades 2-4:

Grades 5-8: 

Spanish

Grades PK-1:  

Grades 2-4:  

Grades 5-8: