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Students participate in SPECIALs each week. These classes are essential to a child's total development and a powerful tool for shaping a well-rounded individual.
SPECIALs include the following classes:
Art - Art is vital to learning more about the world around us, fundamental to healing, and is essential to discovering how we are all God's best masterpieces. Many art lessons and projects are storybook/literature-based or serve as a support for classroom lessons. We will work with a variety of materials in order to explore all the ways we can celebrate art in our surroundings.
Library/Media Center - The IHM Library is an extension of the classroom, where the students are able to further explore concepts through literature. The library program includes instruction and hands-on exploration in the use of literary resources and skills, including games, guided practice, online research tools, and internet safety. Additionally, the library fosters an appreciation of literature through activities such as book talks, Battle of the Books competitions, and individual library/research skills.
Music - At IHM, we believe music piques children’s creativity and intellectual curiosity. Through music, students develop auditory, fine motor, reasoning, language, and mathematical skills. Our music class helps foster these skills through the exploration of melodies, songs, instruments, and composers. As students enter middle school, they use their learned skills to further explore music through research and composition and participate in either band or chorus. All students learn that music is a way to express our love for God and are encouraged to learn and participate in the Mass through song.
Physical Education - All students need time to run, exercise, and develop both their fine and gross motor skills. Activities in P.E. range from participating in team games to individual challenges, like running a mile. Students are challenged to learn new games and create their own activities.
Spanish - Students in PreK - 8th grade develop their ability to communicate in Spanish through skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing, while strengthening foundational vocabulary, grammar and spelling. Thematic learning supports what students are studying in other subjects. In addition, IHM Spanish classes use interactive learning to explore the diverse cultures and traditions within the Spanish-speaking world, connecting our communities with others around the globe.
STEM- Students use project-based learning to dive into concepts spanning science, technology, engineering, and math. They spend time understanding the engineering design process, animal and plant husbandry, and completing hands-on building projects. Students use various iPad and Chromebook applications to further their skills in typing, coding, robotics, graphic design, formatting, and problem-based engineering. They also work through collaborative projects based on grade level science and math standards.
