Activities
Genius Hour
Enrichment for Students
What is Genius Hour?
Genius hour is a movement that allows students to explore their own passions and encourages creativity in the classroom. It provides students a choice in what they learn during a set period of time during school.
At Whittier Elementary, Genius Hour takes place daily from 3:15 to 4:00. Students participate in classes and activities such as dance, sign language, basketball, arts and crafts, drumming, drama, yoga, world cultures, and leadership.
Genius Hour in Education
The teacher provides a set amount of time for the students to work on their passion projects. Students are then challenged to explore something to do a project over that they want to learn about. They spend several weeks researching the topic before they start creating a product that will be shared with the class/school/world. Deadlines are limited and creativity is encouraged. Throughout the process the teacher facilitates the student projects to ensure that they are on task. A goal of every teacher should be to create lifelong learners. Genius hour projects are a huge step towards that goal.
To support final projects, Whittier has several Showcase Weeks scheduled for the year:
- October 21-25
- February 3-7
- May 4-8
Community for Learning
Community for Learning
Project SEAL - Social, Emotional & Academic Learning
It's the mission of Community For Learning (CFL) to provide out-of-school time programs that are more than just safety nets, but also promote positive development and expand children's goals for school and beyond. CFL is based on a social, emotional and academic model with a strong emphasis to provide quality before and after school programming with enriched activities for children. We do this by offering children academic support in reading and math, homework help, social-emotional learning, and fun recreational activities.
CFL's out-of-school time program is called Project SEAL (Social, Emotional and Academic Learning.) Project SEAL assists in meeting state and local student standards in core academic subjects, such as reading and math, and is a community after school program providing children with the opportunity to take part in a variety of academic and recreational enriched activities.
CFL Programs are available for students before and after school, for a fee.
Before School programs are available
- 7:00AM - 8:30AM
- cost is $15 per week.
After School Programs
- available from 4PM - 6PM
- the cost is $30 per week.
If you have any questions regarding the CFL or Project Seal, you may contact Anna Flores by email aflores@nmcfl.org
ABQ Reads
In 2017 Albuquerque Reads moved from Wherry to Whittier, and we are so glad to have them here!
ABQ Reads:
- Is a partnership with Albuquerque Public Schools and CGI.
- Pairs a kindergarten student with a volunteer creating a strong bond between tutor and student and aids in literacy development.
- Is composed of three 30-minute weekly tutoring sessions taking place September through April.
- Is a student-centered program with emphasis on all aspects of reading.
- Is designed to be multi-sensory and includes interactive activities.
- Provides a book a month and two Reading Goodie Packs (December & April) to every student.
- Gives 20 books throughout the year to each student.
- Is completely grant and donation supported.
- Has a uniquely designed and highly structured curriculum that aligns with Common Core and APS standards.
- Tutoring sessions are built into the students’ school & in conjunction with current classroom learning.